Say Goodbye to Shower Drain Clogs!
It's happened to all of us at least once: you're enjoying your shower when you suddenly realize it's turning into a BATH! If you find yourself standing in several inches of water (and you weren't standing on the drain by accident), you probably have a clogged shower drain. Before you panic, take a few minutes to do your research and you'll find that it's really not an emergency in most cases. In fact, it's one of the few plumbing issues that you CAN tackle yourself with a few simple tools and a couple of tips from Dickens Plumbing Inc.!
First, you need to get an idea of what's causing your drain clog. Can you see a buildup of hair and soap residue clinging to the drain cover? That's the best place to start. If the cover is removable, take it off and clear the buildup away. If your drain is still clogged, it's time to dig deeper...literally. This is where a multi-step approach can come in handy. We always recommend starting with the easiest and most gentle options first, and that begins with simple baking soda and white vinegar. Make a solution of 1/3 cup white vinegar and 1/3 cup of baking soda in a (large) heat-resistant cup and pour carefully down your shower drain. The mixture will fizz violently, but don't be alarmed! It's just the normal reaction of the solution. Leave it for an hour, and then rinse the drain with hot water for a few minutes. If the clog was a simple buildup of some hair and soap residue farther down in the drain, this might have been enough to dissolve it!
If not...keep reading.
Your next option is to try a plumber snake, or pipe snake. This long tool has teeth arranged along a flexible piece of plastic or metal and is designed to grab hair and clogs and pull them back up through the drain. If the clog is within a few feet of the drain opening, this is a great way to get rid of it! Simply feed the drain snake down the pipe until you can no longer reach, and then slowly but firmly pull it back out. Pro-tip: we recommend wearing gloves as you might get some unfortunate surprises when you pull the pipe snake back out. If you end up with large clumps of slimy hair (ew!), you probably found the source of the clog. If that still doesn't work, it's time to pull out the big stuff.
Drain cleaners or clog removal agents can be purchased at most big box stores. These are dangerous to your skin so wear gloves and eye protection! Follow the directions on the bottle carefully, and make sure you wait the recommended amount of time before turning the water on. These often clear clogs that are formed by extensive oily buildup from makeup, soaps and conditioners, etc. Many times they get your drains flowing freely again without much mess or fuss.
If you still have issues with your drain backing up into the shower, you need to call in the pros. Winter Haven residents call Dickens Plumbing at the first sign of trouble with their pipes and plumbing in their homes. We tackle clogs, leaks, and more, and our team of qualified techs are able to handle any job, big or small. We're friendly, competitively priced, and always ready to help when you call.