There’s nothing uncommon about a blocked shower drain. That’s the bad news. The good news is that by knowing what to expect, you can be amply prepare to clear a clog in the moment and take steps to prevent them.
Here’s how:
Boiling water
Boil a tea kettle or pot full of water and simply pour it down the drain. With any luck, mission accomplished. It’s also a great way to prevent having to touch the yucky blocking material.
Coat hanger
Grab a wire hanger from your closet. Shape one end into a small hook and straighten the rest of it. Next, fish the hooked end into the drain and scoop out the built-up hair and associated soap scum, etc. Then pour some boiling water down the drain to finish the job.
Baking soda and vinegar mix
Mix about 5 ounces each of baking soda and distilled white vinegar and pour it down the drain. Let it sit and fizz for about a half hour and finish the job with boiling water. If it doesn’t fully work the first time, try again. If it doesn’t work again, make the right call – “Hey Anthony’s, come on over.”
Dish detergent
If your drain is still clogged, it’s time to try a thicker lubricant to loosen things up. Pour about 2 ounces of dish washing detergent down the drain followed by boiling water. The thick dish detergent combined with water should free loose hair from the sides of the drain while the water finishes the job.
If you’ve tried it all and nothing works – or don’t have the time or patience to deal with it – Anthony’s Plumbing, Heating & Air is trained and experienced in all facets of drain cleaning. More than that, we have the equipment and resources to get the job done – the first time.
