My Shower Drain Is Clogged – What Should I Do?

My Shower Drain Is Clogged – What Should I Do?

Nothing could put a damper on your day than getting into the shower and noticing that your feet are getting submerged as the water is pooling up around them.  This is a fairly good indication that you’ve got a clogged drain line.  A clogged shower drain can be an inconvenience and very unsightly, especially when DIY remedies don’t work and you’re forced to call a plumber to fix the problem.

What causes shower drains to clog?

You may be surprised at what causes a clogged shower drain.  Although there are a number of possible causes, the specialists at Anytime Plumbing are familiar with most of the culprits.  Since establishing our business, we have seen clogged shower drains caused by the following:

• Chemicals – no matter if it’s bathroom cleaners and disinfectants, body washes and soaps, or hair conditioners and shampoos, every one of them contain chemicals that can eventually clog your drain.

• Dead skin cells and hair – we shed millions of dead skin cells and hundreds of strands of hair when taking a shower.  Although you can easily remove what accumulates on the drain cover, the ones that get through it will stick to the drain pipe and obstruct the flow of water.

• Greases or oils – grease and oil from your body as well as what is found in soap don’t mix with water and will accumulate on the walls of the shower drain pipe. 

• Hard water – hard water deposits a wide range of micro solids and minerals on a shower drain pipe’s walls.  These will accumulate until the drain is clogged. You may need to de-scale the deposits on faucets and shower heads to get the proper flow of water.

• Small items and trash – yes, believe it or not, our professionals have found small items and trash that managed to get into the drain pipe and cause a shower clog.

In some cases, these clogs can be removed without having to call a plumber.  However, in the more extreme shower clogs, your only option is to contact a professional. We are available for standard and emergency plumbing requirements 24/7 so you can be sure of getting the right professionals, on time, anytime.

Are there any home remedies for a clogged shower drain?

Depending on the severity of the obstruction, some shower drain clogs can be cleared without having to call a professional   You might be surprised to see how effective yet simple the following DIY fixes are:

• Baking soda and vinegar – think back to that school science fair project where you made a volcano from papier-mâché and fueled it with a mix of baking soda and vinegar.  About 1/3 cup of each should do the trick.  The chemical reaction that results will break up the clog and clear the drain pipe in the process.

• Boiled water – this remedy is surprisingly simple since all that is required is boiling what in a pot or tea kettle and slowly pouring down the shower drain a little bit at a time.  The hot water will sometimes break up the clog eventually working its way through it and opening up the drain.

• Chemical drain opener – be sure to read the instructions on the bottle and wear goggles and rubber gloves to protect your hands and eyes.  NOTE:  while these are considered convenient and cost-effective, many of them contain corrosive ingredients that can damage or even destroy drain pipes and sewer systems.

So when should you call Anytime Plumbing of Santa Cruz for help?

It’s really not the homeowner’s job to determine the cause of the clog, they just want it gone.  However, there are times when those home remedies suggested above just don’t work and you have no other choice but to call us for help.  The best way to determine when it’s time to call a professional plumbing service is to answer the following questions:

• Is the blockage affecting other drains in the home? Call a plumber.
• Is the clog causing a mess that is spreading? Call a plumber.
• Is the clogged drain in the master bathroom or a guest bathroom? You might consider trying one of the home remedies above before calling a plumber and use the other bathroom, or just wait if you can get along without one of them.
• Is the drain blocked in the only bathroom in the home? Call a plumber.

The key to solving any shower drain clog is to address it immediately whether you try a home remedy first or call a plumbing professional.  For more information, call Anytime Plumbing of Santa Cruz today. Our and customer care service professionals are available to schedule an appointment or send out a team for emergency requirements. We’d be glad to be of assistance 24/7. Call us for an estimate today.