The shower is an essential part of your home. It is easily one of your most-used appliances, so it is important to keep it in working order. When your shower is clogged it may seem like your routine takes ten times longer than usual. While you may be tempted to call in a plumber, this is a common and easy problem to fix yourself. Here are a few steps to get your shower unclogged in no time.
1. Check the Drain
When you see the shower draining slowly, turn the water off and investigate the drain. Remove any noticeable blockages that could be causing the clog. This can be anything from a cluster of hair to a lost bath toy. In the event that there is an obvious blockage at the drain, attempt to eliminate it.
Once removed, run the water again to test whether the drainage rate comes back to normal. In the event that there is no obvious blockage, try using a flashlight to check whether anything is stuck deeper in the pipes.
2. Remove the Drain Cover
Some shower drains are effortlessly taken off by hand. You can easily pop them off and have a look at the drain underneath. Other drain covers must be physically unscrewed. Utilize a screwdriver if so. Glimpse inside the drain with a flashlight and search for any noticeable obstructions or blockages in the drain.
You can utilize a plumber’s snake to clear any blockages that sit further down the drain.
3. Use A Plunger
In the event that water has gathered around the drain and you can’t see clearly through the pipe, you should use a plunger to attempt to remove the blockage. You may need to scoop a portion of the water out of the shower before you begin plunging. Unclogging a shower drain is usually less effective than utilizing a plunger for your sink or toilet, be that as it may, it may be successful regardless.
4. Boil Some Water
It’s very possible that the stop up in your shower is from old soap scum and oil. For this situation, it is a smart thought to use boiling water. The heat can soften away any blockages that might be stopping up the drains or holding up a clog.
5. Get Out Your Baking Soda and Vinegar
These two kitchen staples can successfully clear a drain in a matter of minutes. You’ll need to use this technique together with the previous boiling water strategy. To start with, pour a pot of boiling hot water down your shower drain. Then, pour baking soda in after the hot water. Wait a couple of minutes for the soda to settle. Then, pour in several cups of vinegar. The vinegar will react with the baking soda to form bubbles that will hopefully clear your shower drain.
If your shower clog does not resolve with one of these methods, don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber. These experts will save you time and money if you can’t fix things yourself.