There’s nothing uncommon about a blocked shower drain. That’s the bad news. The good news is that, knowing what to expect, you can be amply prepared to clean them as they occur, or take steps to prevent them.
Here’s how:
Boiling water
Boil a tea kettle or pot full of water and simply pour it down the drain. With any luck, mission accomplished. It’s also a great way to prevent having to touch the blocking material.
Coat hanger
Grab a wire hanger from your closet. Shape one end into a small hook and straighten the rest of it. Next, fish the hooked end into the drain and scoop out the built-up hair and associated soap scum, etc. Then pour some boiling water down the drain to finish the job.
Baking soda and vinegar mix
Mix about 125 ml each of baking soda and distilled white vinegar and pour it down the drain. Let it sit and fizz for about a half hour and finish the job with boiling water. If it doesn’t fully work the first time, try again.
Dish detergent
If your drain is still clogged, it’s time to try a thicker lubricant to loosen things up. Pour 60 ml of dish washing detergent down the drain followed by boiling water. The thick dish detergent should free loose hair from the sides of the drain while the water clears out the rest.
If you’ve tried it all and nothing works – or don’t have the time or patience to deal with it – Swan’s Complete Plumbing is always ready to help with that or any other plumbing need you might have.
