How to Unclog a Shower Drain: Easy DIY Fixes That Work

All of us have been in a situation where we’ve been taking a shower, the water filling and collecting in a pool past our ankles. Standing water can be an annoying problem caused by a blocked drainage hole in the shower. Fortunately, there are many tried and tested methods to unblock shower drains and restore efficient water flow. Many individuals attempt to address minor shower drain blockages using DIY methods. Common techniques include using a plunger, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, or a drain snake.

However, when these methods fail or the blockage is severe, professional assistance becomes necessary. Plumbers in Sydney typically charge between $100 to $200 per hour, with additional call-out fees ranging from $69 to $88.

Most of the time, hair, soap scum, and other small debris will tend to clog shower drains. This guide is going to show you all the ways, from using a plunger or a baking-soda solution to popping out the cover and cleaning everything inside. If you want and prefer a natural remedy or a drain snake, pretty soon you will be expected to be cleaning your shower again, as these steps will get you through the mess.

Key Takeaways

Removing visible blockages: Hair and debris on the drain cover should be removed using gloves or tweezers.
Boiling water: This is poured down the drain to dissolve soap scum and grease that have accumulated.
Baking soda and vinegar: Pour ½ cup baking soda, followed by 1 cup vinegar. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes and then flush with hot water.
Plunging: A plunger is used to dislodge clogs with suction.
Drain snake: A drain snake or a wire hanger is inserted to retrieve trapped debris.
Chemical cleaner (as a last resort): Use it only as a last resort and according to safety instructions.
Prevent future clogs: Put a drain cover in place and keep it clean.

Why Does Shower Drain Clog Occur?

Hair buildup: Hair accumulates in the pipe over time, forming tangled masses that obstruct water flow.
Soap Scum: Soap creates a sticky residue when mixed with minerals in water, coating pipes and trapping debris.
Hard Water Deposits: Mineral buildup narrows pipes, causing drainage issues and clogs.
Shampoo and Conditioner Residue: Heavy, oily colorants reduce water flow.
Dirt and Sand: Can settle and inhibit drainage.
Small Objects: Items like jewelry or razor caps can fall into the drain.
Body Oils and Lotions: Greasy residues stick to pipes and gather debris.
Shower Puff or Loofah Fibers: Pieces can come off and pile up.
Tree Roots (in extreme cases): Roots may invade damaged pipes.
Improper Drain Covering: Allows more debris to enter the drain.

Having a clean shower and drain guard will keep the clogs at bay.

Natural Cleaning Solutions

An irritating clogged shower drain can be completely cleared without the use of strong chemicals by applying natural solutions. Here are some easy techniques:

1. Baking Soda and Vinegar

Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain.
Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into it.
Allow the fizzing to continue for about 30 minutes to wash out grime and other hair.
Flush with boiling water to wash down the debris.

2. Salt, Baking Soda and Boiling Water

Mixing 1/2 a cup of salt with the same amount of baking soda and putting it through the drain.
Leave to stand for at least half an hour or overnight.
Pour boiling water to dissolve any hindrance.

3. Dish Soap and Hot Water

Pour a few tablespoons of dish soap down the drain.
Follow with a kettle of boiling water to dissolve grease and soap scum.

4. Plunger or Drain Snake

Use a plunger to give a little suction to loosen stuck debris.
A drain snake can pull out hair and buildup manually.

Routine sessions with these homey cures will also work in preventing future clogs for smooth drainage through your bathroom shower drain.

Tools For Shower Drain Unblocking

You may require the following tools for proper drain cleaning, removal of clogs and flow improvement.

Plunger: It can be said to be one of the simplest yet effective when using suction. A plunger can quickly clear away minor clogs in shower drains.
Drain Snake, Auger: A flexible, coiled metal wire can be manually or mechanically fed into pipes to break up or retrieve shower blockages.
Hydro Jet: An auger (power or hand-cranked), like a snake, is made for tougher shower drain clogs. The jet that runs on high-pressure water to slash away grease and debris from shower drain lines.
Chemical Drain Cleaners: These liquid or gel substances are so potent that, on dissolving organic matter and grease, they should be handled with utmost care, applying them cautiously to avoid harming the pipes.
Drain Cleaning Bladder: Works on shower drain clogs, as it is expanded through water pressure introduced within the pipe to force it out.
Pipe Wrench and Tape: Especially common in pipe maintenance works, where one would consider doing replacement or being due for maintenance in households.
Endoscope Camera: To offer a live view from inside the pipes, which can be used to inspect concealed and buried deep clogs.

It depends on the severity and the type of clog; the right tool can guarantee an effective, damage-free clearing process. These tools are also essential for effective Plumbing Maintenance Sydney professionals often rely on.

Shower Drain Unblocking Chemical Treatment Methods

Chemical remedies are the easiest way to clear clogs in a shower drain. Most of these chemical treatments work via chemical reactions that dissolve hair, soap scum, grease, and other debris that cause blockages. Some excellent chemical treatments include the following:

1. Caustic Drain Cleaners (Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide)

Very strong alkaline cleansers that dissolve organic substances such as hair and grease.
Pour the suggested quantity down the drain and allow 15 – 30 minutes before flushing with hot water.
Use with caution, since they can be corrosive to pipes and dangerous to skin.

2. Acid Drain Cleaners (Sulfuric Acid or Hydrochloric Acid)

Best for tough clogged drains as it fast dissolves hairs, soap scums, and grease.
Use with extreme caution, following safety measures to avoid burning or fume-inhaling effects.
Do not use for PVC drain pipes, as this may cause damage.

3. Enzyme Drain Cleaners

Contain bacteria or enzymes that slowly digest organic matter, but without damaging the pipes.
These are eco-friendly and septic-safe, but may take hours before they can be effective.
So, it’s mostly a preventive measure rather than an immediate unclogging agent.

4. Baking Soda and Vinegar

A natural alternative, producing a fizzing reaction to break down mild clogs.
One cup of baking soda is followed by one cup of vinegar, and allowed to stand for thirty minutes. Then pour the shower drain with boiling water.
Good against tiny blockages: won’t be effective against greater clogs.

Safety Precautions

Always wear gloves and protective eyewear.
Never mix different chemical drain cleaners, as this can produce toxic fumes.
If the clog persists, consider using mechanical methods or consulting a plumber.

When To Call A Professional To Unclog Shower Drains

You may get some really fast DIY remedies for a slow shower drain, using something as simple as plunging, a drain snake, or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, but sometimes the best call is to make for a professional plumber.

When to Call a Plumber:

Persistent Clogs – When clogs keep occurring under the forceful clearing action, there may be more serious blockages within the pipes that need specialized tools.
Foul Smell – A bad smell wafting through the drain may mean mold, mildew, or a buildup of organic matter somewhere deep within the pipes, requiring professional assistance.
Backed Up Water – Water backs into the drain of the shower, sinks or toilets. This usually spells out something bigger in plumbing, like a blocked main sewer line.
Strange Noises – A gurgling sound from the drain may mean there’s blocked air because of a blockage in the pipes, which can only be diagnosed and fixed by a professional.
Harsh Chemicals – If you have already tried chemical drain cleaners but to no avail, it is best not to use them again, because these chemicals can damage your pipes. A plumber can solve the problem with safer and more effective methods.
Multiple Drains Affected – Clogged or slow-draining areas in your home will probably mean that they have a problem somewhere in the main plumbing line, requiring professional help.
Old or Fragile Plumbing – DIY efforts could damage a home with old piping. A professional can clear the drain without risking damage to your plumbing system.

Call a plumbing professional when you are experiencing any problems mentioned above. It will help you in saving further damage and more costly repairs.

How Does A Professional Plumber Unclog A Shower Drain?

Quick and effective treatment of shower-drain unclogging constitutes the professional strength of plumbing experts. Plumbers take the right steps and special tools to tackle any clogging situation.

The plumber will inspect using a camera as needed, and then will introduce a plumber’s snake or drain auger to break the clog and remove it.
Hydro-jetting, which means applying high-pressure water to the clog, may also be used if there is a serious buildup.
Besides that, the professionals can pinpoint recent events, such as damage to the pipes or design errors in drainage, facilitating the recurrence of clogs.

Conclusion

We learnt many ideas to unclog a shower drain. Hiring a plumber for unblocking a shower drain is always time-efficient and raises profitability. It saves pipes from possible damage from chemical agents. It ensures pipe functionality and water flow for the long time to come. The cost of professional plumbing will spare you so much hassle when unblocking a shower drain and save you large sums. It’s up to you and your problem, how you may want to fix your shower drain blockage.

How To Unclog A Shower Drain?