Simple Tips to Prevent Clogged Shower Drains
Have you ever gotten home and wanted to wash off the day with a long shower only to be left standing ankle-deep in dirty water? Does your shower drain gurgle or not keep up with the shower water flow? It sounds like you might have a clogged shower drain.
Most people have had to deal with this frustration and if you haven’t yet, you probably will. Fortunately, this guide can help you learn the causes of clogged shower drains, how to fix clogged shower drains and how to prevent your drains from becoming blocked in the first place.
What Blocks Shower Drains?
All clogs are caused by foreign objects lodged in the drain. Many times toys, razor caps, and chips of bar soap can get stuck, but the most common cause of clogged shower drains is hair. Over time hair accumulates in the drain.
Once hair has started clogging the drain, shampoo, soap, conditioner, and dirt start to stick to the clog. This accumulation of hair, soap, and dirt continues to grow and will eventually prevent wastewater from draining out of the shower basin.
Several problems emerge when a shower drain gets a hair clog. The most obvious problem is water backing up into the shower. If water is allowed to stay in the shower basin long enough unsightly stains and buildup can occur from soiled water redepositing dirt onto the shower walls.
Permanent cosmetic damage can occur to tubs and tile grout from soap-scum staining. Bad odors can also occur when clogged shower drains are allowed to go untreated.
Tips for Fixing Clogged Shower Drains
Most shower drain clogs can be fixed by simply snaking the drain. A drain snake is a small coiled piece of metal that can be inserted into a drain and turned like a corkscrew to grab drain blockages. A small pipe snake is a good tool for homeowners to have since clogged drains are a fairly common problem in sinks and showers. Several types of snake exist but you should choose one that is manual and easy to operate.
Some clogs might be serious enough to require more attention. If blockages are bad enough, the drains might need to be disassembled or replaced to restore flow. It is a good idea to immediately address clogged drains since water getting backed up into a shower basin could be an indication of a larger clog in the sewer system.
If you think the clog might not be limited to the shower drain a professional should be called out to make an assessment of the cause. It is a good idea to address drain clogs as soon as they appear. The clog will quickly start getting worse after the water begins draining slowly leading to bad odors and soap scum build-up on the shower walls.
Preventing Clogged Shower Drains
Prevention is crucial to preventing shower drain clogs. Hair traps that fit over the drain and catch hair before it gets down into the drain are the most important. Hot water and a combination of vinegar and baking soda can be used regularly to prevent the build-up of soap scum that can cause other contaminants to stick in drains and create odors.
Routine cleaning of the shower can also stop soap scum build-up on the walls, floors and drain of the shower as well as remove hair and foreign objects that haven’t been washed down into the drain yet. Chemical drain cleaners should be avoided unless used by professionals since they are usually dangerous chemicals and can damage other components of a plumbing system.
About Miracle Plumbing
Miracle Plumbing, Inc. is a full-service, locally-owned small business with top-notch bathroom plumbing services in San Jose, CA since 1992. Whether you have a clogged shower drain, need routine maintenance or inspection, want a new hot water heater, or have plumbing emergency after hours, Miracle Plumbing, Inc. can help.