No matter how often you clean the surrounding surfaces or how thoroughly you scrub the floor and faucet, at some point you will find the need to unclog your shower drain. The mixture of hair, shampoo, body wash, and various other additives that are used in your shower weekly start to build up, and the end result creates a sort of stopper in your drain which prevents water from passing through. You’ll know when it is time to unclog your drain, because the water will start filling up during your showers even when the drain is open. But instead of automatically reaching for your phone to call the nearest plumber, there are many steps to take on your own to solve the problem.
Below are a few methods for unclogging your drain:
Use a Wire Hanger
Whether it be by unscrewing the drain screen or simply locking the drain into its upright position, find an access point to which you can reach the drain. Take a basic wire hanger (or actual drain snake, if you have one) and bend it so that it has a makeshift hook on the end. Stick the hanger down into the drain and simply start grabbing at anything and everything you can reach. Be warned – this is not a pleasant job! Gobs of hair and other residue will be pulled out and it’s not a pretty picture, so keep a trash bag handy that you can easily scoop the gunk into.
Use a Plunger
Sometimes the hanger may not be efficient enough to get out all the debris or a little extra pressure may be needed. If so, turn on the hot the water and let it run for a few seconds and then grab the plunger. Secure it firmly around the drain and plunge about 5-10 times, checking to see if the water is more easily going down the drain.
Use Baking Soda
chemical drain cleaners such as Drain-o are actually very harmful to your pipes and internal water systems, so try to avoid them if at all possible. One safe alternative to try if the hanger or plunger techniques aren’t quite getting the job done is baking soda. Simply pour about 1/2 a cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar down the drain, holding a damp cloth over the opening so the ingredients are forced to go down the drain. You will begin to hear fizzling and after about 30 seconds, run the water and see if the problem has been solved.
Call a Plumber | Alvarez Plumbing in Salinas, CA
If you go through all of these steps and the drain still seems to be clogged, it may be time to call a plumber. They have more resources and are trained to fix these types of situations, so they are more than equipped to handle any and all types of drain problems. Sometimes, it may also be more than just a simple drain clog, and plumbers will be able to diagnose and resolve those problems as well. For issues in or near central California, your best bet would be to reach out to Alvarez Plumbing in Salinas, California. They offer plumbing services of all types for both residential and commercial residences and their methods for cleaning and unclogging drains have been proven to be efficient and lasting.
Thanks for Reading.