Unclog a Shower Drain

If you’ve never had to unclog a shower drain you’re lucky. Many issues can arise that almost immediately tell you there is a plumbing problem. The unmistakable sound of a dripping faucet. The noticeable wetness from a leaky toilet. More so than any “telltale” sign, regardless of the issue, though, is that undeniably funky odor coming from your shower drain. This, combined with you noticing the water level higher as you take that morning rinse, means you have probably got a drainage issue. Luckily, your friends here at Poole’s Plumbing have you covered, as below we will instruct you on how to Unclog a Shower Drain.

Now, this is not the most complicated of plumbing issues, nor is it an impossible fix. However, there are a few ways that depending on the blockage; you might need to approach to Unclog a Shower Drain. No worries, though, as we assure you above, we will run through each of these ways. In the end, one way or another, we will get rid of that smell and, most importantly, open up that blockage.

Unclog a Shower Drain Manually

Ideally, this will be the way you Unclog a Shower Drain. Finding and removing whatever obstructs the water from passing through your drain would end the issue. These obstructions can be anything from gobs of hair, oils, soaps, or other debris. But, just removing the cover and Unclogging a Shower Drain by removal will make for a fast solution in many cases. If you can use pliers or even a gloved hand to do this, perfect, case closed, and problem solved. However, if you can see the clog but can not get at it, follow the instructions below and use a simple wire coat hanger to Unclog a Shower Drain.

1. Use a pair of wire cutters to cut your hanger to the right of the hook
2. Bend the wire until it is one long, straight wire, and the hook at the top can be used as a handle
3. Use a pair of needle-nosed pliers to pinch a small hook on the end of your long wire
4. Lower and guide your hooked wire into the shower drain until you feel some type of resistance. That resistance is your clog.
5. When you feel this mass, to Unclog a Shower Drain, rotate and poke the wire until you can feel it grasp the clog. Then pull it up and out of the drain. You may need to repeat this a few times to remove all debris fully.

If for some reason the hanger wire does not reach or is not strong enough to pull a clog, follow \the basic same method to Unclog a Shower Drain, but use a hand snake in the place of the wire.

Kitchen Ingredients to Combat the Clog

Now, as we said, the first way would be ideal to Unclog a Shower Drain. But we also said we know some clogs are worse than others. Likewise, people develop and have their own methods that they grow to trust. Other ways to safely Unclog a Shower Drain that have been used over the years include the use of some basic kitchen ingredients.

This way of unclogging a Shower Drain will keep your hands clean and usually are effective. Below we have three different “potions” for your shower drain that will get things flowing right again.

• Liquid Dish Soap- Yep. That is exactly what it states. Pour between a half and a full cup of liquid dish soap directly into the shower drain. Wait 20-30 minutes, then flush through with extremely hot or even boiling water.
• Baking Soda and Vinegar Combo- A safe alternative to harsh chemicals when looking to Unclog a Shower Drain. This involves first pouring one cup of baking soda into your drain. Immediately following that, pour one cup of distilled white vinegar into the same drain. Then cover the drain and again wait 20-30 minutes. At that point, flush with boiling water, and you should be successful in this attempt to Unclog a Shower Drain.
• The “Fizzy Cola” Method- It is what it sounds like. No surprises here; just looking to Unclog a Shower Drain simply. To use this method, pour a liter of cola (or fizzy, carbonated soda) down the drain. Follow this with our trusty boiling water, which is said sometimes to do the trick.

What About When Already Dealing with Standing Water?

This is a valid question with a not-so-difficult-to-accomplish answer. If your clogged drain already has you with water standing as you shower, we simply start by grabbing the plunger. Placing its head over the drain, plunge up and down quickly between five and ten times. Pull away from the drain and repeat this simple process if needed. You will begin to see the standing water recede, and to Unclog a Shower Drain completely, refer to the above methods once the standing water has been cleared.

What if None of These Helps to Unclog a Shower Drain

These may seem obvious and easy ways to unclog. But the truth is, these methods are proven to work. If you try these, though, and they do not work, you may need some professional help. The most reliable name in Raleigh area plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing, is here and waiting to assist you with this or any other of your plumbing needs.

To contact the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbing for over two decades, visit poolesplumbing.com.