Unclogging a Bath Shower Drain
Having a clogged bath shower drain does not mean that you need to call a plumber. This is a problem that you should be able to handle yourself.
Drain pipes have a curve in them called a trap. The trap is a place that ‘traps’ some water in the pipeline to help prevent sewer gases from coming up into the house. Under a sink the trap is shaped like the letter ‘u’ while a bathtub or shower drain trap is shaped like the letter ‘p’. These same traps that trap water also tend to collect hair and soap scum from the shower. If the water is draining slowly then you’ve got a partially blocked drain and if the water isn’t draining at all then the drain is probably totally blocked.
If you can see the hair or build up that might be blocking the bathroom shower drain try to reach in and pull it out. You can even try to use tweezers, needle nose pliers, or a bent wire hanger to help you if you can’t reach the clog or if you are opposed to touching it.
If you are unable to see the clog in the drain, try using a plunger. First cover the overflow outlet with a rag or washcloth. Be sure there is enough water in the bathtub or in the bottom of the shower floor to cover the bottom of the plunger. This technique will not work without the use of water. Place the plunger head over the drain and push down and release five or six times. The pressure from the water being pushed with the plunger should release the clog and open the pipe to drain freely. If it doesn’t seem to have worked try again. Sometimes you will move the clog further down the pipe slowly until it will finally flush through the pipe.
It is easier to prevent a shower drain clog than it is to clear a clog. To prevent a clogged bathroom shower drain use a strainer that can be found at a home improvement store. A strainer in the bottom of your shower will help prevent hair from going down the drain and clogging. Another simple way to prevent a clog is to throw away small pieces of soap instead of letting them go down the drain. A final easy tip to prevent shower drain clogs is to pour a pot of boiling water down the shower drain about once a month. The boiling water will help to dissolve and grease and body oils that might be building up in the shower drain trap.
