10 EASY Ways How To Unclog A Shower Drain
Don’t give up hope yet. There’s still a chance you can fix your clogged shower drain without calling the plumber.
On this page, you’ll find the 10 of the easiest ways how to unclog a shower drain from across the web, all in one place.
These methods will have your shower drain back to like it should, draining nice and smooth. In no time!
Is Chewbacca (or some hairy looking creature) currently hiding in your drain? Don’t worry, my friend. We’re bringing in the big guns on this page.
Before you call a plumber and have to coordinate when you can take work off, try these helpful household tips, and tricks.
On this page, you’ll find all the tools and recipes you might need. But, remember this can get GROSS.
However, I can guarantee you this: After reading our 10 ways on how to unclog a shower drain, there’s sure to be a method that’s perfect for you.
Now let’s jump right in.
1. Pour boiling water down the drain (Metal ONLY, no PVC)
- Use a large pot, teakettle, hot water kettle
- NOTE: PVC and boiling water can result in loosened joints
First, get a large pot, teakettle, or hot water kettle. Fill it with water all the way.
Boil the water, then pour it carefully down your drain. If you have a minor clog, with only a little bit of hair and hard water build-up, this method should do the trick.
Remember, this is only if your shower drain is made with metal. If you have PVC pipes you must refrain from pouring boiling water because you might damage them.
2. Powerful homemade cleaner (baking soda & vinegar)
Here’s what you’ll need:
- ⅓ cup baking soda
- ⅓ cup vinegar
This method is an absolute classic. Powerful. Cheap. And with household items, you usually don’t have to go out and buy.
Does your home have baking soda? How about vinegar? Of course, you do, and if you don’t, c’mon. Anyways, mix your ingredients in a heat-resistant measuring cup.
The mixture will start to fizz up immediately, so dump it down the drain and let it sit for at least 1.5 hours.
Then, turn on your tub faucet or showerhead all the way to hot, and rinse the solution down your drain.
Say goodbye hair clump!
3. Clothes hanger method
Make sure to put on some rubber gloves if you have some. Going to get down and dirty.
Feed the wire down the drain with the hook remaining at the end. Pull up all the collected hair and soap scum.
4. Use a plunger
Grab your trusty plunger, the one that’s bailed you out before. If you know what I mean.
Remove your shower drain’s guard, if it has one. Then, use your plunger for all its worth.
Use those muscles! Once you knock the sewage loose and remove the clump, you’re in the clear.
Back to showering in peace.
5. By hand
Be warned, this strategy isn’t for everyone. This method to unclog your shower drain is hands-on. See what I did there.
So you’ll be getting dirty on this one. Anyways, here’s how you do it.
Take off the drain cover and reach down with your hand to unclog your shower drain.
If it’s a minor clog, this is a great method for those who don’t mind getting a little messy to get the job done.
If it works, it works. Right?
6. Use a plumber’s snake (AKA an “electric eel” or “toilet jack”)
Didn’t I say we were going to bring in the big guns? How about using a plumbers snake to unclog your pesky drain.
If you haven’t seen or used one before:
Here’s a short video on how to snake a shower drain.
They’re nice to have on-hand. They’re designed specifically for the purpose of unclogging your drains, but you’re going to have to pay.
But hey, they work like a charm.
7. Enzyme cleaners
Highly effective, but require at least 8 hours to work properly.
Pros with this method are that you don’t have to get dirty, and it unclogs even the most clogged of drains.
You have to have patience with this method, but just let the enzymes do their thang, baby. Cons are that you have to wait a long time, and it’s not free.
Unless you have some enzymes laying around your house?
8. Caustic Soda
Be extremely careful with this. It burns your skin and you shouldn’t use it without protecting your hands and eyes with the proper rubber gloves and glasses.
Here’s my family’s recipe, one of my favorite home remedies for clogged shower drains: add 3 cups of caustic soda to 1 gallon of cold water. It will start to heat up, that’s when you stir it with a wooden spoon.
Pour the stuff down the drain and wait 30 min. Then pour boiling water to rise. Repeat if needed.
Remember, this is extremely powerful chemicals, so it’s important you treat it as such.
9. Wet/Dry Vacuum (PS: not a normal vacuum)
Some wet/dry vacuums can unclog a pesky shower drain. They can run you anywhere from $50-$250+ dollars though.
So if I were you, I’d try the other methods first for your clogged shower drain.
10. Call a plumber
You’ve given it all you got. There’s nothing left. Your shower drain won’t unclog and you don’t know where to turn, or actually, you do.
The plumber. Give your local plumber a ring, and they’ll fix your drain in no time.
According to a study on Home Advisor:
When asked… How much does it cost to snake a drain? The typical range is $135 – $301. To find out how much your project will cost go here, enter your zip code, and get your free estimate.
Final thoughts
Have you learned a new way to unclog your shower drain?
I hope so.
Dealing with a clogged shower drain can throw a wrench in your already busy day. This can be extremely stressful, and frustrating when you have a lot of things to do.
We ain’t got time for this. Am I right?
Not my favorite way to spend my time. However, with these 10 ways on how to unclog your shower drain, I hope you’ve found your solution.
Whichever you choose, they all lead you in the right direction. Some cost money. Some are free. Some are dirty. Some are clean. Some are quick, and some are long.
But, all of them will lead you to the promised land, the fast-flowing, unrestricted shower drain, in all its glory. Now, unclog your shower drain with confidence. You got this.
References
- https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/plumbing/repair-a-clogged-drain/
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