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Any households that include someone with long hair are familiar with the nightmare that is a clogged shower drain. Water begins to back up slowly at first, but a few minutes into your shower, you suddenly realize you’re taking a bath.
When your shower or bathtub drain is clogged, time is of the essence. The longer you let it sit, the more debris will get trapped and the worse the blockage will get.
What are the signs you can stick to a clogged drain home remedy, and when is it time to call in a plumber’s expertise? Here’s how to decide what to do about a backed-up shower.
In This Post:
Things to Check First
In some cases, the cause of a clog is simple to clear. Start by turning off the water and waiting for as much of it to drain as possible. Then, use a screwdriver to remove the drain cover and examine the mouth of the pipe.
The most common culprit of shower drain clogs is hair, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to pull out the hairball without any specialized equipment. If it’s just out of your reach, grab a plastic zip-tie and use scissors to cut it like a feather. Twist it to make the “teeth” stick out and use it to fish out as much of the hair as possible.
What if removing the visible hair doesn’t fix the problem? Clogged drain cleaner from the grocery store is most people’s go-to solution, but it isn’t always the best choice. Chemical drain cleaners are corrosive to pipes, hazardous to your health, and might not even fix the real source of the problem.
Instead, try a combination of natural drain clog remover (baking soda followed by white vinegar) and a flat sink/shower plunger.
When Should You Call a Plumber?
If the water doesn’t go down or still drains slowly after you try the above methods, it’s time to call for reinforcements.
A blocked drain plumber can help you find out more about the root cause of your backed-up drain and fix the problem from the source. The signs that you need to call a plumber include:
- standing water that won’t drain
- a foul odor coming from the drain
- the backed-up water is contaminated with mold or other hazardous substances
- you have an old or damaged plumbing system
- the clog is accompanied by a leak
- other drains in your bathroom are also clogged
- you can’t see the source of the clog and home remedies don’t work
Calling a plumber will not only help you deal with the current issue, but it can prevent future problems as well. This can often save you both time and money in the long run.
Don’t Ignore Your Clogged Shower Drain Any Longer
Dealing with a clogged shower drain isn’t anyone’s idea of a fun afternoon, but the longer you let it go, the worse the clog will get. As soon as you notice water beginning to back up, follow the tips on this list. Call a plumber if it isn’t something you can take care of in a few minutes or if you can’t see the source of the clog.
Are you in need of more home care advice? Keep reading through the other articles on our site for a collection of helpful tips and tricks.
