Clogged shower drains create a mess in the bathroom because they block the water flow. Most time, hair accumulates in the drain causing shower pipes to clog. Hair clumps collect soapy residues, which combine with them to form impenetrable blockages that cause water to back up into showers. A shower that drains slowly or creates standing water on the floor is a sure sign of drain clogging. A small blockage to a major obstruction in your main sewer line can clog your shower drain. Many homeowners use DIY methods to save money and time. However, it may be inconvenient for many. So, contacting the best plumbers in Oakland can help you solve the problem in no time.
Here are the ways to unclog a shower drain.
- Baking Soda Solution
Mix one cup of white vinegar and baking soda and pour it down the drain. Put the drain plug in place if the blockage is in the bathtub drain. Use a rubber drain cover or a damp washcloth to obstruct shower drains. Now fill the bathtub or shower with hot water. Pull the plug after 10 minutes, and the clog will wash out of the pipe. You can use boiling water to flush. This method is effective in relieving the drain clog.
- Plunger
Using a plunger can unclog the drain caused by hair blockages. You can make the plunger more effective by lining its seal with petroleum jelly, as it will do better air suction. A regular plunger may help solve the problem, but it can be gross. So, the best thing you can do to stop hair blockages is to collect hair caught in the drain cover.
- Drain Snake
A drain snake is an effective tool to unclog the blockage. Commonly known as a plumber’s snake, this tool has a metal wire that goes down the drain to either breakup or pulls out the blockage. There are also disposable plastic snakes needing no cranking and can even be used to unclog a toilet. After use, remember to clean your drain snake.
Tips To Prevent Clogged Shower Drain
- A good drain maintenance routine helps in the long run. It Is best to keep a bottle of distilled white vinegar or baking soda in the bathroom. You can pour a little down the drain after every few showers.
- Avoid using body oils in the bathroom as they stick to the drain walls and cause blockage.
- While you may want to shake out a rug or empty a trash can in the shower and wash everything away, doing so could lead to larger particles of dirt and debris building up and causing clogs.
- Call the experts for Oakland drain cleaning for regular inspection and maintenance.
Conclusion
Cleaning a shower drain can be a DIY project. You can use baking soda solution or a plunger to unclog the shower drain. If the clog persists, calling experts is the best solution, as it may need a bigger repair than you think. Sometimes, a tool lodges into the drain and worsens the clog. In that case, you may need to call in the experts.
