Bathtub & Shower Drain Clogs

Most bathroom drainage problems may be caused by hair, soap, and shampoo that get stuck in the plumbing and form clogs. An excellent way to remove a stubborn bathroom clog is to use a device called a drain stick. It's a long plastic stick that has either a small comb or a pointed tip at the end. The barbs help snag hair and other debris inside the pipes so you can pull them out quickly. Just remove the drain cap, put the stick into the drain, and twist a few times. Pull back slowly, and the clog should come right out.

What Steps Can I Take To Prevent My Shower Drain From Clogging?

There are several steps that you can take as a homeowner to keep your shower drain clear of hair and soap scum. While these solutions are great for regular maintenance and can also be effective for clearing minor, less severe blockages, they should not be used as fixes for a main sewer line blockage, as this could worsen damage in the long term.

Boiling Water Pouring boiling water down your shower drain. This is a good first step to take as the temperature of the water helps to break up the soap scum and dirt build-up more effectively, so that it can be properly washed away. If you do this once a week, it should keep blockages at bay.

Plunger Plunging using a plunger can be an effective way to release hair blockages. Lining the seal of the plunger with petroleum jelly will help to create a better air suction, making the plunger more effective. Regular plunger use will stop hair build-up, but the best thing you can do to prevent hair blockages is to remove hair caught in the drain cover after each shower.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Using Baking Soda and Vinegar. A deeper, more extensive blockage may need more than just a plunger. Combining baking soda and vinegar is a natural way to dissolve hair clogs without resorting to harsh chemicals. Pour a cup of baking soda down the clogged drain first, and then after a few minutes, add a cup of vinegar. Give the mixture a few hours to dissolve the blockage, and then rinse out the drain with boiling water.

Bathtub and Shower Drain Clogs - Quick and Efficient Fixes