How to Unclog a Shower Drain
You shampoo your hair comfortably when you notice a foul odour from the drain. Worse, you can see dirty water splashing around your feet. Instead of relaxing, you start to feel icky.
But don't panic; plumbing problems like blocked drains in Central Coast are common in every home. Anything from accumulated hair to soap scum can lead to this.
If you face this issue, your first action is to contact a 24-hour emergency plumbing service. However, before doing that, you should inspect the problem yourself; it may just be a residue from bath products. As a first step, learn some simple methods on how to unclog a shower drain.
4 Things to Do When You Have Blocked Drains on Central Coast
It is common practice to try DIY methods before calling a Central Coast plumbing service to unclog a shower drain. Blocked drains are, after all, easier to handle than leaking pipes, so most plumbers advise doing it yourself before calling a professional.
Here are easy ways you can unclog a shower drain:
1. Investigate the Outer Visible Blocks
Before doing anything else, double-check your drain cap and drain. Are there any apparent obstructions, such as bath wrappers or hair lumps? If so, remove them. Then, pour some water to see if it drains.
If the water drains smoothly, your job is done. If not, try another option.
2. Find the Drain Stopper
A "drain stopper" is a mechanism that keeps water out of the drain. It is widely used on bathtubs to allow you to fill the tub with aromatic water for your bathing, and it is only removed if you want to drain the water you bathed with.
While helpful, this can sometimes cause a clogged shower drain. Perhaps you forgot about it because you were in a hurry or were overly busy.
Aside from drain stoppers, check for any stopping mechanisms blocking the water flow.
3. Clear the Clog with a Drain Snake
The plumber snake's metal wire is retractable and flexible. You must insert the metal wire down your shower drain and pull or break whatever clogs it.
If you don't have this tool, you can go to the nearest hardware store in your area. You should easily find a drain snake tool for your needs.
4. Pour Boiling Water on the Shower Drain
If the first three solutions fail to unclog the shower drain, use boiling water. Pour hot water directly down the drain to remove the blockage, and repeat 3 or 5 times.
Clogged Shower Drain FAQs
Here are some things to keep in mind if you have a clogged shower drain:
1. What to do if you suspect a clogged shower drain?
If, after completing steps 1–4, you still have a blocked drain in Central Coast, it is time to seek professional assistance from residential and commercial plumbing services like AMPS Plumbing. We have the right tools and expertise to quickly identify the cause of the clog and suggest the best methods how to unclog a shower drain.
2. What is the most effective way to unclog a shower drain?
The best way to unclog a shower drain is to identify what's causing it. From there, you can develop the best fix for the situation.
3. What is capable of dissolving hair in a drain?
You can use vinegar and baking soda. Combined, they produce a fizzing chemical reaction that can aid in dissolving accumulated hair in your drain.
Tips for Preventing Clogs
You can also take the following steps to avoid future clogs:
- Use a drain cover;
- Don't leave your hair falls on the floor—pick them up after each bath. You can also use a hair strainer to prevent hair from falling into the drain;
- Clean your shower drain regularly;
- Limit the use of oil. If necessary, thoroughly rinse the drain to avoid excessive build-up.
- Try water softener to prevent mineral build-up in your drains; and
- Flush the drain using a Homemade Drain Cleaner (vinegar and baking soda) when unclogging shower drain.
24-Hour Emergency Plumbing Services for Blocked Drains in Central Coast!
Whether you want to know how to unclog a shower drain or deal with a shower drain blocked issue, we can help. When you work with our team, we guarantee to save you money and time by utilizing cutting-edge technology.
Don’t let clogged drains stop you from going about your daily activities. Let AMPS Plumbing provide you with the peace of mind you deserve. Call us at 02 4367 0011 or 02 4382 3605 right away.