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A clogged shower drain is a troublesome problem requiring a fast solution. At Sydney Blocked Drains, we can help you resolve your clogged shower drain as well as any other blocked drain problem.
Read on for solutions you can try at home, but please note that severe or ongoing blockages will require expert attention.
How to know if you have a blocked shower drain?
1. Slow drainage
You will know you have a clogged shower drain when the water no longer drains as quickly. This can be problematic because a poor functioning shower drain cannot keep up with a proper functioning shower head. This will definitely flood your bathroom.
2. Water puddles
If you’ve noticed water pooling around your shower drain, you could have a clogged drain. If water can’t escape through the drain, it will find somewhere else to go.
This may pressure the pipe and cause it to leak or even burst. If you see water pooling outside your shower’s base, it may be a sign that it has already leaked outside the plumbing system.
3. Bad smells
Smelly drains are usually an indicator of soap scum build-up and hair that’s already rotting in the drain. Occasionally, you might even catch the smell of sulfuric gas or sewage in your shower.
This may indicate a problem with your main sewer line, and it is necessary to call a plumber immediately if this is the case.
What are the best ways to unclog a shower drain?
1. Remove any blockages that you can see by hand.
It is very common for shower drains to become clogged with hair, which naturally sheds when you wash your hair. You can prevent hair from clogging your drain by clearing out any trapped hair after each shower.
Presuming you did not develop this habit and are now trying to figure out how to unclog the drain, you can try to remove any clumps of hair that are visible when you look down into your drain.
This step is important for two reasons.
Firstly, in some cases, you may be lucky enough that it fully resolves the problem.
Secondly, if you find yourself retching at pulling out a clump of hair, you probably do not want to proceed to the next steps and would be better served by calling Sydney Blocked Drains to resolve the problem.
2. Disassemble the drain
If removing all the hair that can be easily pulled out still hasn’t solved the problem, you might have to disassemble the drain.
If your drain has a built-in strainer, simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to dismantle, clean, and reinstall it. Sometimes, this is all you need to do to return your shower to perfect working order. If not, there are tools that you can obtain to remove blockages located near the drain mechanically.
Those who are handy around the house can attempt to dissemble the drain, mechanically clean it, and put it back together.
3. Try a natural method of unclogging your drain
Using baking soda or a solution of baking soda and vinegar is often effective in clearing mild cases. The first step is to pour boiling water down the drain. Follow by pouring a cup of baking soda mixed in with 1 cup of water or 1 cup of white vinegar solution and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
Finally, pour one last batch of boiling water down the drain again. This homemade solution is mild compared to the highly caustic, commercially- available drain cleaners that can cause further damage to your pipes over time.
4. Use a plumber’s snake
A plumber’s snake is a flexible and retractable tool you can buy at your local hardware store. Using the snake’s hand crank to send a metal wire down the drain, you will either break up or pull out the blockage.
Alternatively, disposable plastic versions of the snake are available and don’t require hand-cranking. This tool can also be used to unclog toilet bowls. Be sure to sanitise after every use to maintain proper hygiene.
5. Use a plunger
To use a plunger to clear a blocked shower drain, remove the drain cover and place the rubber cup over the drain opening. Fill the shower with enough water to cover the bottom of the plunger and begin to plunge with forceful upward and downward movements.
It usually takes six good plunging rhythms to clear the drain. Lift the plunger to see if the water drains more quickly. Repeat the process if necessary.
6. Call a plumber to do the dirty work – Highly Recommended
If your do-it-yourself home remedies have not worked so far, the problem may be located deep in the pipes.
In this case, the problem has gone beyond the territory of DIY and it’s time to call in a professional plumber to locate and solve the problem. Sydney Blocked Drains invests in extensive training and in the following technology to take the guesswork out of fixing your blocked drain.
CCTV Drain Camera
A CCTV Drain Camera enables our drain experts to see inside the pipe and find out the cause of the blocked drain – a winning advantage in getting an accurate diagnosis of the problem and finding a more permanent solution to the blocked or damaged drain.
High-Pressure Water Jetter
This is the most economical and efficient way to clear a blocked drain. Our licensed drain expert will feed the main hose down the drain to force high-pressure water out of the attached cutting nozzle jets on the end of the hose to clear blockages.
Pipe Relining
In severe cases, after the drain camera identifies the problem area of the blocked drain and the high-pressure water jetter clears the section of blockages, our drain expert will measure the length of the section needing repair and cut a new pipe liner to size. Pipe relining is an effective measure that prevents recurring blockages associated with the issue found in the drain.
When you have a blocked drain and need it resolved permanently and quickly, Sydney Blocked Drains is your first port of call.
Get in touch with us by phone on 1300 403 201, including outside of business hours for urgent call-outs. You can also contact us by email or through our website contact form.
