8 Ways to Unclog a Shower Drain

There are few things worse than finding yourself soaking in an ankle-deep pool of soapy, murky, lukewarm shower water while taking your morning rinse. Standing water in your shower or shower water that drains too slowly is a sure sign of a clog somewhere in your drain pipes. This can be caused by anything from a small build-up of grime to a major obstruction or blockage in your sewer line. Knowing how to clear your clogged drain is crucial because leaving the issue unaddressed may result in disruptive and frustrating shower sessions.

Do you have a clogged shower drain? Here are eight effective methods to unclog it.

1. Pour boiling water down the drain.
One of the easiest ways to address a clogged drain is to pour boiling water down the pipes in hopes that the high temperature of the water can dissolve the grime and loosen the gunk that’s causing the clog.
Just remember to practice caution when working with hot liquids. Try to wear some sort of protective gear to steer clear of burn injuries from the scalding water. Stay a good distance away from the pour site or use a long-enough funnel or spout to keep your hands away from the boiling liquid.

2. Use chemicals.
There are numerous chemical-based products and shower drain cleaners that are available in the market, designed to loosen up and dissolve clogs rapidly. PowerPlay Rapid Clog and Fast Acting/Pro-Strength Clog Remover from TruFusion are excellent examples of chemical-based clog busters designed to be tough on clogs but gentle on your plumbing.

3. Use a plunger.

Unblock shower drain clogs with a plunger. Use a rubber plunger that’s specifically made for drains instead of a toilet plunger, which works quite differently.
For a plunger to work effectively, it has to be submerged in at least one inch of water. Fill your shower pan with at least an inch of water and place the plunger over the drain so it will form a tight seal. Plunge down to release air and pump up and down several times pulling it away from the drain. You’ll know the clog has been removed if the water finally drains at a quick pace.

4. Use baking soda and vinegar.
A good natural alternative to chemical products would be a caustic solution of baking soda and vinegar. This caustic concoction works by heating up clogs and dissolving grime so that they will flow down the pipes once water is poured down the drain.

5. Take the drain cover off and pull out the clog by hand.
Another easy (albeit quite nasty) way to address a shower drain clog is by taking off your drain cover and pulling the clog out by hand. This, however, will only address clogs that are close to the drain opening.

6. Use a hook.
If you’ve run out of shower drain cleaner at home, you can always use a hook to fish out clogs that go beyond the shower drain opening. A long enough hook might even be able to reach down difficult places in the pipeline.

7. Use a plumbers’ snake (also sometimes called a “toilet jack” or an “electric eel”).

A plumber’s snake or sometimes referred to as “toilet jack” or an “electric eel” is a good tool to have handy at home. Much like a hook or an auger, this can help you push out stubborn clogs and free your pipes from obstruction.

8. Call a plumber.
Hopefully, your shower clog situation doesn’t come to this, but when all else fails, call a plumber. Professional plumbing services can be costly, but you can try and avoid having to call them in through good maintenance and regular cleaning with products like Washout Monthly Maintenance Drain Cleaner.