4 Ways To Unclog A Shower Drain – RISMedia’s Housecall

By Lizzie Weakley

When you are taking a shower, the last thing you want to notice is water that is ponding up around your feet. Unfortunately, this means you have a clogged shower drain. Though this is a problem that always seems to occur at the most inopportune time, the good news is that you have multiple solutions to getting the water flowing freely again. The next time you find your shower drain clogged, here are four methods you can use to bust up that stubborn clog.

Remove It by Hand
If you are lucky, you will be able to remove the clog by hand. Should you notice hair or other objects easily visible and near the top of the drain, you can probably don a pair of rubber gloves and remove the debris within a few minutes. In some cases, you may be able to use a wire coat hanger to make sure you get everything causing the clog. However, if you feel something that is putting up quite a fight when you pull, beware that continuing to use the coat hanger could damage your drain.

The Drain Snake
If you ask the pros like those at Express Plumbing & Septic about the best way to unclog a shower drain, they will most likely suggest the drain snake. This is a retractable, coil-like tool you can purchase at any home improvement store. Fitted with a hand crank, you insert the metal wire slowly down your shower drain, where it will either break up the clog or pull out whatever was clogging the drain. If you don’t trust yourself with this tool, or just don’t want to purchase one, consider calling up your local plumber for assistance. 

Natural Drain Cleaner
If you want to pour something down your drain in hopes of getting rid of the clog, many suggest you not use drain cleaners found in stores, since they often don’t work very well and contain dangerous chemicals that can do more harm than good to your shower drain. Instead, opt for a homemade natural drain cleaner that consists of one cup of distilled vinegar and one cup of baking soda. Mix this together, pour it down your drain, and let it stay there for 15 minutes. By doing so and then pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain, your problem should be solved.

Call a Plumber
Finally, if your best efforts don’t work on your shower drain, call in a plumber to fix the problem. If you don’t, you may damage your drain or push the clog further and further down, making things much worse.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll soon have a shower drain where the water is once again running freely.

Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball. Looking to work with a brokerage in Michigan? Weakley recommends contacting The Stockton Team.