How to unclog a shower drain without a plumber

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Googling how to unclog a shower drain can simply hateful one thing — you've got a blockage and the water'south not draining properly. Information technology's something all of u.s. go through; you notice the water puddling at your anxiety and dread what's on the other side of that plug hole. Don't worry, fixing this is not as difficult every bit working out how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet and information technology doesn't take as much elbow grease equally cleaning the glass shower door.

In fact, the remedies are very straightforward and don't take much fourth dimension or attempt at all. Some of the equipment and ingredients you may already have at abode as a bonus. Here, nosotros will take you through exactly what to exercise, step-past-footstep, then you lot don't demand to call in a plumber. Here's how to unclog a shower drain.

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Whichever method yous cull, flush some water down the drain later on to run into if it's been successful. If there's no luck, endeavour some other method.

How to unclog a shower drain

1. Remove past mitt

A gloved hand removing hair from a shower drain — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

What you'll need

Gloves

Flashlight

Baking soda and white vinegar (optional)

Drain snake or hanger (optional)

Plunger (optional)

Chemical drain opener (optional)

Safety goggles (optional)

This is the easiest and most obvious method to unblock a shower drain. Some blockages are only caused past a combination of pilus and soap scum. And if this is sitting near the surface, you tin can potentially remove it by hand — though we recommend wearing gloves.

First, you lot demand to remove your drain cover. Yous might need a screwdriver to exercise this, while others can be pried free. Grab a flashlight and have a look effectually. If the blockage is sitting right in front of yous, only remove it by manus, gently teasing the hairs costless from any components they cling to. Only remove the hair if it's hands attainable; don't reach your hand in. If you can see the blockage, but it'due south likewise deep to reach, attempt some other method.

ii. Humid h2o

A kettle boiling water on a stove in the kitchen — (Prototype credit: Shutterstock)

Boiling h2o tin be effective at breaking up soap scum and flushing it through the system. Nonetheless, you should only use this method if you have metallic pipes — don't use information technology on PVC pipes as information technology can cause impairment.

Boil a kettle to its full capacity, or employ a big saucepan if you don't ain one of the all-time electric kettles. Then gradually tip the boiling h2o down the bleed a little at a time; there'due south no need to remove the drain cover for this method. Make sure in that location'southward a break between each dose to give information technology a chance to get to piece of work on the blockage. Once yous're out of boiling water, flush through some fresh water to run into if information technology's washed the trick.

If you're tipping the boiling h2o from a saucepan, be careful that information technology doesn't distill dorsum down the pan and burn down you. Use a funnel if necessary to help command the menses.

iii. Baking soda and vinegar

Every bit always, baking soda and white distilled vinegar are an effective combination too. Prepare i cup of white distilled vinegar and one cup of baking soda — make certain you lot keep the ii split for at present as the chemical reaction is what you lot need to break upwardly the blockage.

Remove the shower drain cover and so pour the blistering soda straight down the pipage. One time that'south in place, pour the vinegar on elevation; you should hear it start to fizz as information technology gets to work. Leave it to sit down for an hr before washing it down.

That'south non all that baking soda can do; here are 10 things you didn't know you could clean with baking soda.

4. Drain snake

A drain snake being inserted into a drain — (Prototype credit: Shutterstock)

Drain snakes (or augers) can accomplish into the pipe to collect and pull the blockage out. There are two types available; manual and electric, both of which are effective. Manual ones are manually operated by a handle, while electric ones volition need to exist attached to a drill to power. The DrainX Power Pro ($35, Amazon) tin be operated manually or with a drill, and comes with gloves.

You need to insert the drain snake into the pipe until y'all hit the blockage. Then turn the handle, or power it to rotate the end and collect the droppings. Finally, remove the ophidian and hopefully the blockage with it.

Alternatively, yous can also try using a wire hanger. Simply unfold information technology and bend it into a straight line with a small brand-shift hook at the cease. And so it's fourth dimension to go fishing for the blockage. Just make certain you have a practiced grip and bend a right-angle at the other end so you won't lose it downwards the drain.

5. Plunger

A plunger next to a shower drain — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Sometimes the quondam-fashioned methods are best. First, remove the bleed comprehend and cover your overflow drain if you have one. Next, use some petroleum jelly around the rim of your plunger — this will help you accomplish a expert seal. Then place your plunger over the drain opening and run a piffling bit of water in your shower to fill information technology merely over the rim of the plunger.

And so, pump the plunger up and down vertically to strength force per unit area into the pipe. You should do this for 20 seconds before releasing information technology. Affluent some water through later to see if it'southward worked.

6. Chemical drain opener

Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener — (Image credit: Green Gobbler)

You lot can also try using a proprietary chemic drain opener to dissolve the blockage. Simply brand sure yous vesture protective gloves and goggles when handling the solution. We recommend Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener ($21, Amazon). Follow the directions given on the characterization and ventilate the room during application.

In full general, you should endeavor and avoid using chemical drain openers, as they can besides harm your pipes. If this method is unsuccessful, practise not follow it with attempting to plunge the bleed in case you brand the solution spray back up onto yourself.

7. Call a plumber

A plumber waiting at the front door of a house — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

If all of the above fails, the problem might be something more serious and calling in a professional person is likely the best form of action. Just be sure to permit them know what you've tried then far, peculiarly if you've used a chemic drain opener.

How to prevent your shower drain from blocking in the futurity

Bleed protector — Invest in a drain protector such every bit the TubShroom ($12, Amazon) to catch whatever hairs before they get into the drain.
Brush out any loose hairs — Give your hair a quick brush before you go into the shower to remove any loose hairs. You can too use a shower cap if yous don't intend to launder your pilus.
Don't cascade anything else down your drain — It might be tempting to pour dirty water downwardly the shower bleed, such equally from mopping the floors, but the dirt and droppings can cause a blockage. Tip this exterior instead.
Don't employ oily products — Endeavour not to use trunk oils in the shower, or oily products on your hair. Oil is actually hard to rinse away and can hands collect and stick to other debris in the pipes. If your hair needs oil, apply it afterwards your shower without rinsing.
Keep up drain maintenance — Pouring humid water or baking soda and vinegar downwards the drain every and so often tin as well aid clear whatever potential blockages which are starting to build up. Effort to do this one time every couple of weeks if your drain is prone to blockages.

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Katie looks later everything homes-related, from kitchen appliances to gardening tools. She also covers smart dwelling house products besides, so is the best point of contact for any household communication! She has tested and reviewed kitchen appliances for over 6 years, and then she knows what to await for when finding the best. Her favorite thing to test has to exist stand mixers every bit she loves to bake in her spare time.