Unclog and Protect Your Shower Drain

Nobody wants to be standing in the shower and watching as the water level rises at the base of the tub. A slow or clogged shower drain will cause this to happen, leaving your feet stuck in the grimy water. When that happens, you need to unclog your drain fast to avoid any further problems.

There are a couple methods to unclog a shower drain that require some things you might already have in your house. Yes, you can try to remove the drain cover and pull it out by hand, but that may not be enough. For a stubborn clog just out of reach, you can take a wire hanger and fashion a small hook on one end, then fish the clog out.

If you are lucky, your plunger can do the trick. First, you will want to make sure you have a good seal around the drain. We also recommend it to fill the shower or tub until you submerge the plunger and then work as vigorously as needed to dislodge the clog.

Some homeowners prefer to avoid using chemicals to clean their drains. An alternative to pouring down chemicals is pouring down hot water. This calls for you to boil some water on the stove rather than just running the hot water tap. It may not fully clear the blockage, but it may help as a precursor to other methods.

Another trick is to perform a mini science experiment in your bathroom. This other alternative to chemicals only needs some baking soda and vinegar. To start, pour a cup of baking soda into the drain, then after a few minutes add a cup of vinegar. The reaction luckily will not damage the pipes, but still work hard enough to try to clear your clog.

Clogs in your drain are not rare, but you can take some measures to help prevent them. A simple drain protector will work wonders, plus it will allow you to see exactly what could end up in your drain, with hair being the most likely culprit. Also, a soap dish will help, as soap can help create clogs by sticking loose hairs into thicker clumps.

When the worst of the worst clogs blocks your drain, sometimes it takes more than what you have around the house. During those times, call a professional plumber. For more information about keeping your drains clear, call Sunrise Heating and Plumbing at (616) 293-9326. We pride ourselves in providing nothing but exceptional customer service.