Clogged shower drains are an unfortunate but easily fixable issue. With some simple techniques, you can unclog a shower drain yourself without calling for professional assistance.
One common method for unclogging a shower drain is using bleach. This powerful chemical can break up the buildup of hair and soap in the pipes, helping prevent future blockages.
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Baking Soda and Vinegar
A popular DIY drain cleaning hack involves pouring baking soda and vinegar down the pipe. While this may seem like an efficient solution, there’s one major drawback when using this method to unclog your shower drain.
Liquid-Plumr states that when mixed together, carbon dioxide gas is formed. This creates bubbles in the drain which help break up and loosen any goopy buildup clogging it. Especially effective for greasey clogs, this process helps dislodge them.
To use this method, add one cup of baking soda and then one cup of vinegar to your drain. Cover the drain and let sit for around 10 minutes; you should notice the mix start fizzing. Repeat this process until your pipes can be flushed cleanly.
Baking soda and vinegar solution can be used to eliminate odors from a drain. It does this by breaking up soap scum and other hardened buildup that traps bacteria, mold and odor-causing particles inside pipes. Furthermore, baking soda and vinegar help prevent clogged drains by breaking up fatty residue that causes blockages.
For a more effective drain cleaner, add boiling water to the baking soda and vinegar mixture. This will help break up clogs faster.
You can also use a spray bottle to mix the two ingredients together. This will give the mixture more texture, making it easier to penetrate and break up grime and dirt particles.
Irina Nikiforova, owner of Rocket Maids LA, often sees clients using the mix to clean ovens, cooktops and shower doors. According to her, it’s best to use the combination while it is still bubbling as this allows you to see where it is working best.
Nikiforova recommends using this solution on surfaces that are slightly basic (like a bathtub or sink) because it will cut through tough grime and dirt instead of just taking away the surface layer. She also suggests applying the mix directly onto surfaces you wish to clean instead of pouring it down the drain.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an environmentally friendly chemical that destroys bacteria and fungi. This makes it a safe, effective alternative to commercial cleaners with little environmental impact.
Unlike many other household cleaners, this one won’t leave a harmful residue on your sink or shower pipes. Plus, it’s inexpensive and easily available at most grocery stores.
Hydrogen peroxide can be used for a number of tasks around your kitchen and bathroom, such as wiping down dishes, deodorizing fridges and toilet bowls. It’s also great at getting rid of mildew and mold from sinks.
Combining baking soda and vinegar, you can effectively eliminate odor-causing bacteria from your drain. Not only that, but it’s an effective clog remover as well – safer than many commercial drain cleaners which usually contain toxic chemicals.
Combine one cup of hydrogen peroxide with a tablespoon of baking soda. Pour this solution down your clogged drain and let sit for around twenty minutes to take effect.
The foaming action of hydrogen peroxide will break up clogs and make them easier to remove. After waiting the time period specified, pour hot water down the drain.
This can help dissolve any clogs and clear the drain quickly. You may need to repeat this process several times until the clog has been completely eliminated.
Be mindful when using hydrogen peroxide, as it is a skin irritant and may cause rashes and irritation in some people. For your own safety, wear gloves and eye goggles when handling this chemical.
Finally, never drink hydrogen peroxide or any concentration thereof. While it has the capacity to eliminate bacteria and fungi, it can cause serious side effects like breathing difficulties, severe gut damage, or even death. It is therefore strongly advised that you never consume hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide should never be used in a drain that is full or clogged. Instead, invest in a drain snake or hair catcher which will prevent future blockages from occurring. Furthermore, make sure to regularly flush your pipes so they are free of gunk and bacteria which could cause unpleasant odors.
Boiling Water
If your shower drain is clogged, it’s essential to know the appropriate steps. Some obstructions can be easily solved; however, others require more complex procedures or tools.
One of the most frequent clogs in shower drains is hair buildup. Over time, this hair can clog the entire pipe and prevent your water from running freely. Fortunately, fixing this problem is relatively straightforward if you have some basic tools on hand.
1. Boiling Water
The most straightforward solution for clearing your shower drain is to simply pour boiling water down the drain. This works great on smaller clogs and doesn’t require any special tools or chemicals – making it a great DIY option that works quickly!
To do this, bring a pot of water to a boil on your stovetop. Once ready, slowly pour the hot water down the drain, giving it time for it to work before pouring again.
After an hour, try heating up another liter of water and pouring it down the drain. This should melt any soap scum or grease buildup in the pipes.
2. Chemical Drain Cleaners
If your drain is clogged with hardened clogs, chemical cleaners may help. Some cleaners are safer to use than others; be sure to read the label and follow any directions on the bottle for best results.
3. Baking Soda and Vinegar
If your shower drain is clogged with hair or other organic materials, baking soda and vinegar is an effective solution. Mixing the two together creates a strong reaction that can break up any debris clogging the drain.
4. Bleach
If your shower drain is clogged with hair, try using a simple bleach solution. Bleach is an inert liquid that dissolves human hair and other organic material like cooking grease – making this an efficient and safe way to unclog a shower drain. However, remember that bleach may cause harm to pipes so only use it in small amounts for maximum safety.
Coat Hanger
Clogged shower drains not only cause inconvenience, but they may also pose health risks. Hair, soap scum and mineral-laden hard water all contribute to this common issue. Fortunately, there are several natural and safe methods available that won’t require calling the plumber!
One simple solution is bleach. It’s cost-effective, easy to make, and can effectively break up various clogs (including hair).
To use this method, combine 1 cup of bleach with hot water and pour it down the drain. Let sit for a few minutes before flushing with hot water.
This will dissolve any hair and soap scum buildup causing your clog. Be sure to mix a small amount of bleach into the water, and make sure the room is ventilated before using it; otherwise, it could damage your pipes if used incorrectly.
To use bleach effectively, pour a few drops into the drain and leave it there for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. Additionally, it’s wise to wear gloves when handling bleach as it can be hazardous if you come into contact with your skin or eyes.
Another successful and safer solution is using baking soda and vinegar. This dissolves any soap or grease causing the blockage, allowing water to flow freely.
Baking soda and vinegar, though more expensive than other drain clearing solutions, are safe to use in your home. Furthermore, they’re much simpler to use than other methods and often provide better results when it comes to bathroom and plumbing problems.
Finally, you can use a drain snake to unclog your shower drain. This long and flexible tool has a spike at the end that can forcefully remove any obstruction from the pipe.
A wire hanger is another useful tool for clearing a clogged shower drain. While not as powerful as a plunger or drain snake, it still works effectively on some blockages. Furthermore, using the wire hanger also allows you to disentangle hair from the pipe.