For most of us, clogged drains are among the most frequent issues in our homes. Everyone knows that a blocked shower drain is filthy and grimy as it prevents the water from getting drained and is also quite difficult to clean. This can become problematic if you are regularly encountering this issue.
What Are The Major Causes Of A Blocked Shower Drain?
There are plenty of reasons why your shower drain might get clogged. Some of them are given below:
The number one reason for a clogged drain is hair accumulation. When you shower, your hair is bound to fall and gets trapped in the drain because of the water flow, causing a blocked shower drain.
Sometimes blocked shower drains are caused by the accumulation of foreign particles in the drain. These foreign particles include shampoo or soap sashes, wipes, face masks, toys, sanitary products, etc. These products get stuck in the drain because of the water flow in their direction. Sometimes, even jewellery pieces can also get stuck there. Therefore, before attempting to clean the drain, you must check to find out if any valuable items are stuck down there.
In addition, discarding leftover food in the kitchen sink is also one of the primary causes of blocked drains.
In case of a blocked shower drain, you can use several methods to clean it yourself. They are as follows:
Use A Plunger
Using a plunger is the most basic method to clean a clogged drain. All you need to do is hold the plunger over the drain pipe and fill the shower tub or room with enough water to cover the plunger's rim. The tightness of the plunger is crucial for it to work properly, so you can apply petroleum jelly to it to make it tighter. Once you place the plunger over the drain, you must push and pull the plunger continuously and suck out the substances clogging the drain. The vacuum created by the pressure will help in de-clogging the sink.
Pour Boiling Water
Another way to clear a blocked shower drain is by pouring boiling water down it. You can follow this practice regularly to prevent the clogging of drains. If you face a blockage from soap scum, boiling water is the best way to clear it. Moreover, boiling water is a better alternative to chemical cleaners that harm health and surroundings. Also, the boiling water washes off all the filthy substances that may be stuck and cause a clog later. If you pour boiling water at least once a week, you will not have many blockage problems in the future.
Using Vinegar And Baking Soda
Vinegar and baking soda is the best remedy for a blocked shower drain if you are in a hurry. This concoction is a better solution for a clogged drain instead of the chemical products that people n ormally use. Vinegar and baking soda are not only harmless to your bathroom floor but are also eco-friendly.
It would help if you poured half a cup of baking soda and then half a cup of distilled vinegar down the clogged drain. The mixture will provide a fizzing effect that will dissolve all the obstruction. You must wait at least twenty minutes for the mixture to work and pour hot water down the drain to wash away the clog before continuing with your shower.
Coat hanger hook
A coat hanger is the best DIY method to clean a clog in the shower drain. It may seem a little old school, but the coat hanger method is quite efficient. You must bend the coat hanger to resemble a hook and insert it into the plug hole. You can easily solve your blocked drain issue by leaving the hook at the end to fish out the obstruction-causing debris.
Push the coat hanger inside the pipe until you feel it bumping against the obstruction, and then release it. You should then be able to hook the obstruction up and out of the drain by gently twisting the coat hanger.
Drain Snake
A plumber's snake, also known as the drain snake, is another efficient instrument to get rid of a blocked shower drain. It is a flexible and retractable drilling instrument you can purchase at hardware stores. You will need to shoot a metal wire down the drain using the snake's hand crank to either break up or remove the obstruction. Plastic drain snakes are also available in the disposable market, don't require any cranking, and can be used to unclog toilets. If you are not using a disposable drain snake, clean it afterwards.
Chemical Cleansers
You can also buy chemical drain cleaners from the market. These cleaners are effective and will declog the drain. However, it is recommended that you should wear gloves and a mask while using them, as it may abrasive effect.
Conclusion
Blocked shower drains are very problematic, especially when you face a clog just at the time you are about to take a shower. To avoid these problems, you must read this article to know the basic remedies to clean an obstructed shower drain. However, the drain cleaning procedures need to be extremely precise, so it's best to call professional cleaners to clear out the blocked drains.
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