How to Unclog Your Shower Drain

Clogged shower drains are inconvenient, but they are also very unpleasant to deal with. This can make it tempting to put off dealing with them. Unfortunately, if you don’t fix the problem, you could easily find you have leaky pipes, flooding, or even mold issues in addition to a clogged drain. But, you can avoid these additional issues by promptly dealing with your clogged shower drain. So, we will discuss some ways to unclog your shower drain.

Use a Plunger

One easy way to clear a clog in your shower is to use a plunger. You’ll want to use a cup plunger. Also, you’ll need to add enough water to the shower to make sure the lower part of the plunger is submerged in water. This helps it to work better.

After this,  press the cup of the plunger down on the drain and make sure it is sealed, then start to plunge. This should create a suction in the drain that will dislodge the clog. Although, this doesn’t always work. If the clog is particularly deep or difficult, you may need to try a different method.

Boiling Water

Another method you can try on a clog is boiling water. Heat up some water in a tea kettle or some other easy-to-carry option. Then, carry the container of hot water to the bathroom and pour it slowly down the drain through a funnel. Once you’ve poured all of the water down the drain, let it sit for approximately 15 minutes. This should dissolve any clogs caused by soap buildup or grease. If this does not clear the clog, you can try another method.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

To use this method, pour one cup of baking soda down the drain. Then, after a few minutes, pour one cup of vinegar down the drain. Let this sit for a couple of hours, and then pour some boiling water down the drain. This will hopefully clear anything remaining of the clog.

Use a Wet/Dry Vacuum

This can sometimes work well as it can vacuum up materials as well as water. Make sure the machine is set for liquids and has the correct filter on. Then, place the hose over the drain. Next, turn on the machine, and it should remove hair as well as any other materials blocking the drain.

Coat Hanger

This method can work well to pull out any material stuck in the drain. Just straighten out the coat hanger. Then make the end into a small hook. After this, place the end of the hanger into the drain and try to pull out anything clogging the drain. You can repeat the process until the clog is removed.

Dish Soap

For this method, boil a couple quarts of water. Next, add about three tablespoons of dish detergent to the water. Pour this in the shower drain. Let this sit for approximately a half-hour. Then, run hot water down the drain. You can repeat this a few times if necessary.

Final Thoughts

If you have a clogged shower drain, you may want to try some of these methods to unclog it. Taking care of the clog yourself could save some money. However, if one of these methods work, you may need to call a plumber.

Contact Us

For help with a shower drain that just won’t seem to clear, contact J Griffin Heating & Plumbing today. With over thirty years of experience assisting homeowners with all of their heating and plumbing needs, you can trust our team to solve your problems the first time.Call us at 781-520-1212 and connect with us on Facebook.