Bathroom Renovation Tips On How to Deal with a Clogged Shower Drain

You’re running the shower, and letting the water warm up so you can get your day started … then you notice the water isn’t going away! The drain isn’t working! But don’t worry–you may be able to fix it yourself. Read on to learn how to get your shower drain moving again.

Hair and soap scum are the most common culprits of clogging your drain. This is actually good news because it means that the cause of the clog may be in easy reach. First, grab a flashlight. Then, remove the strainer or stopper from the drain and manually remove any debris you can get out right away. Using your flashlight, look further down the drain — you may see that a clump of hair is the main issue. If so, bend a wire hanger to reach down the drain and pull out the hair clump. Follow this up by flushing the drain with about three or four gallons of hot water.

Another option is to combine:

• 1 lb. washing soda
• 3 gallons boiling water

Allow the soda to dissolve then slowly pour the mixture down the drain. Run hot water until the water drains.

If this doesn’t work, you may wish to try a drain opener. Drain openers containing either sodium hydroxide or bleach (listed as sodium hypochlorite on the label) are typically effective for clearing bathroom clogs.

Once you get the shower drain cleared, you want to prevent the clog from reoccurring. You can buy a special strainer for shower drain that keeps hair from going down it. Regularly cleaning stoppers, hair strainers, and drain covers is also an excellent way to prevent problems. Simply tidy them up with a vinegar-dampened cloth or toothbrush as often as needed.

If these methods don’t help clear your shower drain clog, it’s time to call in a pro! go2-pros can help with clogged or sluggish drains or any other plumbing issue, so contact us today.