We ask our customers all the time: which household drains are you most concerned about clogging? After toilets, kitchen and garbage disposals are basically tied for second, Shower Drains and others barely even register.
That means it’s easy to take your tub or Shower Drains , just as one example, for granted. Our advice? Don’t. Because otherwise, you can be left with an ugly – and potentially pricey – mess.
Here, then, are a few ways to prevent a clogged shower drain in the first place.
Use a Hair Catcher
Hair is a master clogger all on its own. But when combined with soap and shampoo residue, it’s like covering it with paste – the kind that all too easily can stick to the inside of your shower drainpipes.
To block hair clogs, purchase a hair catcher. This device sits on your drain and catches hair and other debris before it ever sees the inside of the drain. Remove it and dump the goop in the garbage after each shower, and you’re good to go again.
Flush All Drains
Another creative way to prevent hair clogs is to flush all your drains and toilets at once. You’ll need several people to help you with this task.
First, close all your bathtub and shower drains and sink drains, and fill each tub or sink with warm water. Next, make sure someone is standing next to every drain and toilet in the house. On some pre-arranged signal, open all the drains at the same time, and then flush in unison. A little tedious, maybe, but it works.
Use Natural Solutions
If you do notice a minor blockage in your shower drain, there are a couple of tricks that might remove it. First, see if you can remove the clog with a bent wire or with your hands. If you can’t, you’ll need to loosen the clog.
Rather than use harsh chemicals, try one or more of these methods:
- Pour boiling water down the drain. Then turn on the shower on “warm” for about five minutes.
- Pour one cup of bleach into the drain at night. In the morning, run the warm water for a few minutes.
- Pour ¾ cup of baking soda and ½ cup vinegar down the drain. Plug the drain for about 30 minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain.
- Now, shine a flashlight down the drain to see if the clog is removed.
Use a Plunger
Even if one of the natural solutions doesn’t provide 100% satisfaction, they’re bound to help a little. The best way to find out is after the process is done, fill the tub or shower stall with as much water as you can, pull out the plug, and plunge away.
Call a Plumber
If all your best efforts still leave you with a clogged shower drain, it’s Norhio Plumbing to the rescue. We have the latest equipment and experience galore to tackle any drain problem you might face. We can even show you additional ways to prevent future plumbing clogs.
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