Clogged Shower Drain

While taking a shower, if you notice that water is getting accumulated at your feet and is not being able to flow down the drain easily, you have a clogged shower drain. Shower drains clog as they have to constantly deal with a lot of hair and debris. Even if you are particular and carry out maintenance regularly, there are still chances of you facing the problem.

Of the various methods and ways discussed below to clear a clogged drain, the one involving chemical cleaners should be avoided as much as possible. These cleaners can cause health problems, as there is a tendency of them coming back in the shower, posing issues if you breath in the fumes. However, the other methods are safer and simple as well, only a little more time-consuming and requiring more effort.

Prior to starting the process, you should remove any hair and soap scum which may have accumulated near the drain opening. Clean this area every time you take a shower. You will require the following tools:

• Plumber's snake
• Rubber gloves
• Small plunger
• Screwdriver
• Chemical drain opener
• Flashlight
• Metal hanger
• Petroleum jelly

Put your rubber gloves on and use a screwdriver to loosen the screws and take out the drain cover. Pick up the flashlight and look down the drain to figure out the reason behind the clog. Put down a metal hanger down the drain and try pulling out the clog. In case you are unable to get the metal hanger down the drain, use a plunger.

Before you try and remove the clogging with a plunger, apply petroleum jelly on its edges. This assists in creating a seal above the drain opening. Place the plunger on the drain and turn the tap on, so that water starts coming in. Fill water till the head of the plunger is below water level. Pump it continuously about 15-20 times.

Take your flashlight and see whether you have made the clog come up a bit. Use the metal hanger and try pulling out the clog. If you are still unable to take out the clog from the shower drain, repeat the above step till you get the clog out.

In case the metal hanger is proving to be ineffective, you will have to use a plumber's snake to complete the task. Put it inside the drain, twist it a couple of times and once you sense it is touching the clog, pull it up towards yourself. Turn the water tap on and check if you have been able to unclog shower drain properly.

After trying all above mentioned ways, if you are still being plagued with a clogged drain, go to a nearby home improvement store and purchase a chemical drain cleaner. Put on your rubber gloves, open the bathroom window, switch on the exhaust fan and follow instructions on the label. There is a possibility of you burning your skin if the chemical cleaner is not handled well.

This is one of the many home remedies which you can use to unclog it. You will require baking soda, white vinegar, salt, and rubber gloves to go about this process.

Mix half white vinegar and baking soda in a cup to form a paste. Put on your rubber gloves and pour this mixture down the drain. Place a baking dish on the drain opening to cover it. Leave it there for a couple of hours. Take off the covering dish and pour hot water down the drain to clear the clogging.

In case the above procedure does not work, put about half a cup salt down the drain along with the vinegar and baking soda mixture. Salt mixes with vinegar and the reaction causes the clog to break down. Flush down hot water through the drain and you should be successful this time.

Clearing a clogged shower drain is thus a simple process and you can easily do it yourself instead of calling for a plumber. The plumber will do the same thing, apart from charging you money.