A clogged shower is always an unpleasant experience. No one likes to have soapy, musty water rise to their ankles as they take their bath. However, if your shower is clogged or showing symptoms of a clog building up in the drains, there are few DIY techniques you can use to clear the clog.
- Clear the clog with a plunger – Plunging is most effective if the blockage is not deep. If the clog is near the plug hole, a plunger will likely help you flush it down the drain. If you are unable to get a good seal with the plunger, you can try applying Vaseline to the rim to get a better result.
- Use hot Water – If your shower is clogged by soap scum, pouring hot water will loosen it and get it down your drains. If the blockage is caused by other solid stuff, the hot water technique will not work
- Try baking powder and vinegar – Pouring a mixture of baking powder and vinegar can help dissolve gunk or clog of hairs. Firstly, pour a cup of baking powder in your drain, wait for a few minutes, and add a cup of vinegar. After a few hours, rinse the drain with boiling water. This should free up the gunk in your drain.
- Pull out the blockage with your hand – This can be done either by using your hand or a hook to pull out or dismantle the clog. Remove the drain cover by unscrewing it, check the drain if the blockage can be accessed with your hand, if yes, wear gloves and get it out. If the blockage is deep, you can use a wire or any other improvised material to pull it out
- Use a snake – A plumber’s snake can be used to push down the blockage.
- Chemicals – This is often the last DIY resorts. If you have tried all the techniques above and the blockage still exists, it is time to start the chemical warfare. There are varieties of chemicals at local stores that can help you unblock your drain. This technique shouldn’t be used regularly, some chemicals can corrode your pipes or damage your sewage system over time.
- Contact Professionals – If all the DIY techniques fail to unblock your clogged shower, it is time to call professionals like Cheap Plumbing Services Los Angeles.
How to prevent your shower from clogging
As in all circumstances, it is always cheaper to prevent a problem than to find the solution when they occur. Follow the steps below to prevent your shower drain from clogging:
- Install a drain cover – Drain covers are inexpensive, they can keep out hair and stop other guck from going down your drain. Scrub off the dirt on the cover regularly to prevent it from getting blocked.
- Don’t wash foreign materials down your drains – Keep out debris, hairs other solid items from finding their way down your drain.
- Flushing your drains regularly – You can flush your shower drain by using hot water or organic materials like baking powder and vinegar.
Common causes of clogged shower drain
- Hair – it is the most common culprit; it can bind with other materials to clog
- Soap – Soap scum often combines with minerals in water to form hard residues that can clog your shower drain
- Minerals in water – it often dissolves and builds up in the drain
If your shower is clogged or you like to have more information to prevent its occurrence, please contact Cheap Plumbing Services Los Angeles (626)535-2213. We ready and waiting to help.
