When it comes to shower drains, hair can be the number one cause for clogs.
There are some simple tricks you can try to clear your shower drain in no time.
Most people turn to strong chemical cleaners to clear up drain problems in the shower.
But there are alternative drain cleaning solutions that will be much less damaging to your pipes.
Start by straightening the body of a wire coat hanger and bending the hook so it fits down the drain.
Next, stretch out a paperclip.
Put on some rubber gloves and remove the drain strainer, if possible.
Pickup and throw away any hair from the top of the shower drain with your fingers.
Then run the shower until roughly four inches fill the basin and the clogged drain begins to empty slowly.
Use a plunger to plunge the shower drain.
This will bring the hair closer to the top of the drain, allowing for easier removal.
Let the remaining water empty down the drain.
If there is any hair near the top of the drain, remove it with your fingers.
Take the hanger and put the hook-end into the shower drain.
Move it around to catch any hair in the drain opening.
Remove and discard the hair.
Put the hanger in the drain a second time, but try to push it carefully down the pipe as far as it can reach without letting go of it.
Twist or move the hanger in a circular motion to catch any hair.
Clean off any hair caught on the hanger.
If necessary, use the paperclip to catch any hair that is caught on the top of the shower drain or the strainer.
If the shower drain is still clogged, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain.
After waiting for two minutes, pour a cup of vinegar down the drain.
Once the vinegar is poured, proceed to cover the drain with a rag or plug so nothing can escape.
After waiting 20 minutes, pour an ample amount of boiling water down the pipe to see if the clog has been eliminated.
If this doesn't solve the problem, remove the drain cover by loosening the screw in the center of the cover or by popping it off with a flat end screwdriver.
Once the cover is off, attempt to locate the clog by shining a flashlight down to the drain.
If the clog is found and within reach, use the hanger to remove the obstruction.
If you cannot see the clog, the next step is to use a small plunger.
First, create a seal on the plunger by rubbing a thin layer of petroleum along the edges.
Then place the plunger on top of the drain.
If standing water isn't present before performing this step, add water so the plunger is submerged.
Proceed to pump the plunger up and down at least 15 times and then use the flashlight to see if this has brought the clog within view.
If the clog is visible, use the hanger method to remove the debris.
If the clog still cannot be seen, repeat the plunging process.
If the plunging doesn't bring up the clog, try using a plumbers' snake to loosen the debris.
If the clog persists after trying these tips, it's best to consult one of your area plumbing contractors to resolve the problem.
There are some simple tricks you can try to clear your shower drain in no time.
Most people turn to strong chemical cleaners to clear up drain problems in the shower.
But there are alternative drain cleaning solutions that will be much less damaging to your pipes.
Start by straightening the body of a wire coat hanger and bending the hook so it fits down the drain.
Next, stretch out a paperclip.
Put on some rubber gloves and remove the drain strainer, if possible.
Pickup and throw away any hair from the top of the shower drain with your fingers.
Then run the shower until roughly four inches fill the basin and the clogged drain begins to empty slowly.
Use a plunger to plunge the shower drain.
This will bring the hair closer to the top of the drain, allowing for easier removal.
Let the remaining water empty down the drain.
If there is any hair near the top of the drain, remove it with your fingers.
Take the hanger and put the hook-end into the shower drain.
Move it around to catch any hair in the drain opening.
Remove and discard the hair.
Put the hanger in the drain a second time, but try to push it carefully down the pipe as far as it can reach without letting go of it.
Twist or move the hanger in a circular motion to catch any hair.
Clean off any hair caught on the hanger.
If necessary, use the paperclip to catch any hair that is caught on the top of the shower drain or the strainer.
If the shower drain is still clogged, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain.
After waiting for two minutes, pour a cup of vinegar down the drain.
Once the vinegar is poured, proceed to cover the drain with a rag or plug so nothing can escape.
After waiting 20 minutes, pour an ample amount of boiling water down the pipe to see if the clog has been eliminated.
If this doesn't solve the problem, remove the drain cover by loosening the screw in the center of the cover or by popping it off with a flat end screwdriver.
Once the cover is off, attempt to locate the clog by shining a flashlight down to the drain.
If the clog is found and within reach, use the hanger to remove the obstruction.
If you cannot see the clog, the next step is to use a small plunger.
First, create a seal on the plunger by rubbing a thin layer of petroleum along the edges.
Then place the plunger on top of the drain.
If standing water isn't present before performing this step, add water so the plunger is submerged.
Proceed to pump the plunger up and down at least 15 times and then use the flashlight to see if this has brought the clog within view.
If the clog is visible, use the hanger method to remove the debris.
If the clog still cannot be seen, repeat the plunging process.
If the plunging doesn't bring up the clog, try using a plumbers' snake to loosen the debris.
If the clog persists after trying these tips, it's best to consult one of your area plumbing contractors to resolve the problem.
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