How Do I Unclog My Shower Drain?
Can I unclog my shower myself?
If you suspect that hair is causing the shower drain clog you can use a hair drain clean tool that can be found at most grocery stores or discount stores on the toilet cleaning isle. Or online here! This will fit in the P-Trap and grab on to any hair that might be causing the back up.
Shower is still draining slowly!
If after you do this you still have a slow draining shower you might have a bigger issue on your hands.
For your stand alone showers, there is a machine that can be purchased or rented at a home improvement store called a drain snake. We don't recommend this tool to unclog bath/shower combinations because there are more pipes than just the main sewer and your p-trap. But, for the stand alone shower you'll find a grate, typically held in by screws, if you unscrew this you can access the drain and put the machine down the line. Please remember to wear protective gear such as gloves to protect you form any filth or possible disease carried on the cable.
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For this job we recommend using the 3/8" or the 1/4" cable. Please note in the shower drain line there is a P-trap before the sewer line begins. If there is resistance when you first insert the machine just go easy with the cable back and forth until you get the cable past the P-Trap. Once you make it past the p-trap continue until you feel resistance, at which point you rotate the handle slowly and the cable will auger further down the line through the area causing your shower drain clog. After this bring the cable out and safely remove any debris on the end of the cable and do the process again until you aren't bringing anything back up with the cable. Once the cable portion is complete run water in the shower to be sure you have taken care of the clog.
Is using the snake going to repair the problem?
Often times in shower drain clogs the cable is a temporary fix. We find that if the cause of the clog is past the p-trap there is more often than not a larger issue at play. Ask yourself, what is the clog holding on to? Is there a crack, an ill-fit joint for the PVC, a burr in the line- there could be a number of issues with the sewer causing the clog, click here for more information on what causes clogs. The cable is just going to remove the clog, but if the underlying issue isn't properly resolved this same shower clog will happen time and time again.
Getting Rid of The Clog For Good
The only way to know for sure the problem is repaired fully is to have a sewer camera video inspection. With a sewer camera you can see in real time exactly what the interior of you pipes looks like. And, if there is a larger issue, you'll know exactly what needs to be done to correct the problem for good.
