Have you been noticing a lot of water building up at your feet while you’re taking a shower? If so, you’re probably dealing with a clogged shower drain. The good news for San Francisco area homeowners is that if your clog isn’t too severe, there are a few things you can try on your own before calling a plumber.
It’s important to remember to wear latex or plastic gloves whenever you are attempting to remove a clog from a shower drain. This will protect you from all of the bacteria that come with the hair, soap scum and other material that builds up in your drain.
How to unclog a shower drain on your own
Here are a few methods you can try on your own to unclog a shower drain. Before beginning any of these, make sure to remove your drain cover and remove any visible obstructions from the top of the drain.
- Using a plunger: I’m sure you’re familiar with using a plunger to unclog a toilet, but did you know you can also use one to unclog a shower drain? After removing the drain cover, add water to your shower if your plunger is not already emerged in it. Make sure to cover any overflow holes in your shower with a wet rag to let the air flow properly. Try pumping the plunger up and down and check to see if the clog is in sight.
- Using a bent hanger: If you can already see your clog after you’ve removed your drain cover, or if you’ve moved the clog into sight by using a plunger, use a bent wire hanger to grab the clog and pull it out. When doing this, be careful not to push the clog further down the drain.
- Using a plumber’s snake: You can get a plumber’s snake at your local hardware store. Push the snake down the drain until you feel the clog. Next, wind the handle to break up and catch the clog and bring it back up.
- Using a liquid solution: If none of the above methods work, you can try pouring a liquid solution down your drain to break up the clog and running hot water in your shower after the solution has settled. You can either use a chemical drain cleaner from the store, or you can try a homemade solution of ½ cup vinegar and ½ cup baking soda.
If you are still unable to unclog your shower drain after trying these methods, it’s probably time to call the plumber.
If you have any questions about how to unclog a shower drain, or would like some expert assistance from a reputable plumber, contact Cabrillo, your San Francisco plumbing, heating and cooling company.