How To Unclog a Shower Drain

Although annoying, many people think a clogged drain in the shower is only a problem while they are in the shower. However, it can also be a warning sign. Depending on the cause, it could lead to water leaks or damage. From the best way to unclog a drain in the shower to how to prevent clogs in the first place, our guide explains how to unclog a shower drain and prevent costly water problems.

How to Unclog a Shower Drain With Standing Water

If you have standing water in your shower due to a drain clog, these steps will fix the problem. In most cases, you only need a few household items to unclog a shower drain. Make sure you drain all the standing water out of your bathtub before trying to clear a drain in the shower.

1. Fish Out Clogs With a Wire Hanger

You can easily remove some drain clogs with a straightened-out wire coat hanger. Remove the drain plug or drain cover, then fish the hooked end of the hanger inside. Twist and swirl it around inside and pull the hanger back out. This is most effective at removing hair clogs inside the drain or in the drain trap.

2. Use a Plunger to Unclog the Drain

While plungers may seem low-tech, it is often the best tool for cleaning small drain clogs in the shower. First, they create upward suction that can loosen clogs. Then they apply downward pressure to push the clog down the drain. For this to work, you need a good seal between the plunger and the drain. If you can’t get a good seal, put some petroleum jelly around the rim of the plunger. Keep plunging until the drain runs smoothly.

3. Dissolve the Clog With White Vinegar and Baking Soda

If the plunger didn’t fix the drain clog, try using vinegar and baking soda to dissolve the clog. Pour a cup of baking soda into your drain, then add a cup of vinegar. When combined, they will foam and can dissolve hair and soap clogged in your drain. Let the vinegar and baking soda work until the bubbling stops, then pour boiling water down to flush away the clog. In some cases, you may need to rinse your drain with hot water several times to remove the clog.

4. Use a Drain Snake to Remove a Clog

For stubborn clogs, you may need to use a drain snake. A drain snake is a coiled metal wire that you feed down the drain. As the coil moves through your drain pipes, it will either snag or break up clogs. To snake your shower drain, enter through the overflow drain and run until your drain is clear. If you don’t have a drain snake, you can use an old wire hanger too. Just straighten it out and bend a hook into one end. Fish the hooked end down your drain to pull out the clog.

What to Do If Your Shower Drain Is Still Clogged?

If the drain is still clogged after the following steps, you could have a more serious problem. Over time, a drain clog in the shower can slowly work its way down to your main sewer line. With every shower, the clog gets bigger until eventually all of your drains are clogged. If this happens, you run the risk of a sewage backup. To prevent this, have your drains and sewer lines inspected. A plumber can look at the drains, but your municipal sewer or water department may offer free sewer cleaning. It’s best to start there and call a plumber if necessary.

Can I Use a Liquid Drain Cleaner to Unclog a Shower Drain?

While liquid drain cleaners may unclog the drain, they rarely work as well as their label claims. Regardless of what is advertised, the drain cleaner needs to actually reach the clog to work. So, if the clog is right inside the shower drain, they could work. But if the clog is further down your drain or even in your sewer line, the chemicals probably won’t reach it. And if they do, they will be too diluted to dissolve your clog.

Also, there are some pretty nasty chemicals on the market too. Not only will they dissolve drain clogs in the shower, but they can dissolve your drain pipes, the floor of your shower, or even your skin. Not to mention that they have really strong fumes that can irritate or even burn your lungs if you breathe them in.

What Causes a Shower Drain Clog?

Here are the three most common causes of clogs in your shower.

• Hair Hair is the number one cause of a clogged drain in the shower. Although you might expect hair to flow smoothly down bathtub drains, the exact opposite is true. Hair gets tangled and acts as a net. As a result, more hair and even soap will get caught in the drain.
• Soap While soap does dissolve in water, it can actually clog your drain in some cases. Most soap clogs form when you don’t allow enough water to flow after rinsing off. However, using too much soap can also be a problem. What happens is the soap dries inside your drain, forming a thin layer on the pipes. Over time, this build-up limits the amount of water that can drain away. Add some hair into the mix and you can clog your shower drain pretty fast.
• Unintended Items Although less likely to go down your drain, unintended items are much more likely to clog a drain in the shower. If soap and shampoo bottle caps, wash clothes, toys or other items go down the drain, they can cause a clog really fast. In most cases, these things get caught in the drain trap, but they might also flow down your drain pipes as well.

How to Prevent a Shower Drain Clog

The best way to unclog a drain in the bathtub or shower is to prevent a clog in the first place. Here are a few easy ways to prevent a shower drain clog.

Use a Hair Catcher

The best way to prevent a shower drain clog is to use a hair catcher. Although there are several different styles, most have some type of mesh covering that keeps hair from going down your drain. However, you do need to clean your hair catcher after every shower or you run the risk of it clogging up. Make sure you throw the hair away in the trash or even in your compost pile. Over time, soap can build up in your hair catcher as well. You can clean it with equal parts baking soda and white vinegar. Let it soak until the foaming stops, then rinse it with boiling water.

Flush Drains With Hot Water

Even if you take really hot showers, the water is rarely hot enough to dissolve soap build-ups. You should flush your drains with boiling water every few weeks to help keep your pipes running smoothly. For the best results, do this at night before you go to bed. You can even do this for sink drains as well.

Wash Pets Outside

If you have pets, you can prevent shower drain clogs by washing them outside. You can either wash them on any paved surface or use a large wash basin. If you use a basin, do not pour the water down your drain. Instead, pour it out on your driveway so it can run to the storm drains. If you do need to wash pets inside, brush them first and cover drains with a washcloth to catch as much hair as possible. Whenever possible, use a utility sink instead of your bathtub or shower.

How Do You Cleanup Water Damage From a Clogged Shower Drain?

If a clogged shower drain causes water damage, you need to remove the water and dry the area as soon as possible to limit the damage. For a small amount of water, use towels to soak up the water. If there is more than half an inch of water, use either a wet-dry vacuum or a submersible pump to remove the water.

Once the water is gone, use high-volume fans to dry out your bathroom. Also check for damage to the walls, flooring, and ceiling below. After the bathroom is completely dry, clean it with bleach and water to prevent mold and odors. If your walls or flooring are damaged, you may need to cut them out and replace them.

Even if you take the right steps to unclog a shower drain, you can still have water damage. If you need help with water damage cleanup, Restoration Local is here to help. Our restoration technicians are trained to quickly repair and dry your bathroom after a shower drain clog or backup. Call 888-443-3110 now for immediate service and a free estimate on cleanup and repairs.