Clogged Shower Drain? Here's how to fix it...

We’ve all experienced the surprise of water rising past our toes in the shower as we realize the drain is probably clogged. There’s a number of things that go through the drain that we don’t generally think about - beyond the usual hair clogs, there are also ingredients in our shower products such as soaps and hair conditioners that contain fats, oils and waxes that can contribute to the debris and hair that generally clog drains. 

These ingredients can gather overtime into pockets of ‘’goop’’ that keep the drain from functioning properly, leading to water pooling at our feet. Beyond the discomfort of water pooling, these clogs can also pose a significant threat to the plumbing system if the clog gets too deep and difficult to resolve with classic at-home tools and methods of clearing the problem. 

We are all familiar with the most common techniques for clearing shower drains for the easier clogs but what happens when the clog is too complex to fix with the classic methods? Let’s first review the 3 most common DIY solutions to clogged shower drains.

Boiling Water 

Boiling water is easy, quick and generally very effective at clearing clogs because it introduces heat which will force pockets of air through the material that is clogging the pipes and it also helps dissolve the pockets of oil and fat from hygiene products that tend to hold on to hair and debris, creating a blockage easily. With a pot or kettle, pouring the boiling water on the clogged drain and letting it sit for about 10 - 15 minutes should do the trick!

Baking Soda + Vinegar Solution

Another classic is good ol’ baking soda and vinegar which paired with boiling water will create a chemical reaction that can help loosen the blockage. This will result in a similar visual as the middle school volcanoes we’ve all witnessed that bubble over and fizz for a while. This is also a great technique to eliminate the potential bacteria and lingering smells from a clogged drain. For this method, mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar and let sit for a few minutes. After about 2 - 3 minutes, pour a pot or kettle of boiling water and let sit for about an hour for best results.

Methods for Complex Clogs

For more complex clogs, you might need to resort to a Plumbers’ Snake which can be acquired at your nearest hardware store or unclogging chemicals that will disintegrate the clog. These should be considered after the previous techniques have been tried and deemed unsuccessful. This is due to the fact that the Plumber’s Snake and unclogging liquids sold in stores can cause damage to the drain if repeated often. 

When left unattended, these clogs can lead to leaks along the plumbing system and in the worst of cases, can even require completely replacing pipes that are beyond repair or to reach the clog which may be too far down the drain. 

If all else fails, there are professionals ready to come to your rescue and determine the severity and root cause of the clog. Their tools, which cannot be acquired at your local hardware store, can quickly resolve the blockage and maintain the health of your plumbing. 

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