Dealing with a clogged shower drain? Clogged showers are uncomfortable to say the least! You may smell terrible odours wafting around and you may be stuck standing in dirty water each time you shower. Not to mention, the water will empty slowly and leave behind dirt, soap residue and other debris that otherwise would wash down your plumbing system. Yuck!
None of those effects include the fact that drainage issues increase anxiety too. An occasional plumbing problem is barely noticeable at all, but a constantly reappearing pool of puddling water is a serious concern.
While it's normal to experience clogs from time to time, it shouldn't be a regular occurrence. If you find yourself stuck with a clogged shower, then this blog is for you. Keep reading to learn the signs of a shower clog, what you can do about it and when to call your local pros at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Mississauga for help.
3 Signs of a Clogged Shower Drain
There are many materials that can clog your shower drain, including grime, soap scum, hair, and even small objects. Often, clogs take a while to form, so you might not notice a problem right away. With that in mind, keep an eye out for the following signs that you have a clog.
1. Bad Smells
Although your drains carry waste away from your home, they shouldn’t smell. Bad smells indicate your pipes have built-up soap scum and hair that’s starting to rot in them. That said, sometimes you might smell sulphuric gas or sewage in your shower. This could indicate your main sewer line might be backing up and that it’s time to call a plumber right away.
2. Puddles
If you notice water pooling around your shower or tub, that means you have a clog. If blockage is severe enough, the water won't be able to move through at all. This puts pressure on pipes and can cause them to start leaking — or even to burst. Subsequently, it might start to pool around your shower’s base because pipes are leaking.
3. Slow Drainage
Your shower should empty at relatively the same rate that it flows out of the faucet. If it is pooling around your ankles or takes a long time to drain, that's a clear sign of a blockage. The clog—made out of hair, soap scum and dirt—acts like a barrier and prevents everything from flowing smoothly through your plumbing system.
How Do I Unclog My Shower?
So, you’ve noticed bad smells coming out of the drain or the water isn't emptying properly. You suspect you have a clogged shower drain, but what should you do about it? Read on to find out.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
The chemical reaction caused by baking soda and vinegar may push a light to medium blockage through your plumbing system. This is because when combined, baking soda and vinegar releases a significant amount of gas. Use this method to clear your pipes:
Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain.
Follow with one cup of vinegar.
Quickly close the drain cover.
Wait 60 minutes.
Pour one to two litres of warm water down the shower for good measure.
Use a Plunger
If baking soda and vinegar proved useless against your difficult clog, next you’ll want to escalate your technique to a plunger strategy. Please note, if you’ve recently poured harsh chemicals into your plumbing system (which we do not advise), wait a day or two before using a plunger. This is because plungers can cause water to splash, possibly injuring you if the water has harsh chemicals in it.
To correctly use your plunger, follow these steps:
Unscrew the drain and block the overflow opening with a wet towel, so the force of the plunger focuses on the blocked pipe.
Fill the shower with a small amount of water, just enough to cover the bottom of the plunger, which increases the plunger's suction.
Start plunging in an upward and downward motion between 6 and 12 times to remove the clog.
After a max of 12 plunges, remove the plunger to see if the water is draining correctly. If not, repeat the process two to three more times.
Wire Coat Hanger Method
When even a plunger fails you, take your unclogging method to the next level: the wire hanger. Similar to a plumber’s snake (also called a plumbing auger or drain snake) this DIY method will help you manually break apart the clog if it is out of reach.
Use these steps to unclog a shower drain with a wire hanger:
Take your metal hanger and straighten it, moulding one side into a hook.
Stick a wire hanger in and fish around until you feel that clog.
Pull up as much debris as possible and place it into a garbage bag.
Flush one to two litres of boiling water, which gets rid of any residue that makeshift drain snake missed.
A Professional Plumber from Mr. Rooter
If you’ve tried every one of those drain unclogging methods—or you would rather make sure your pipes are cleared right the first time—your best option is to call a professional plumber for drain cleaning. Our team at Mr. Rooter of Mississauga has decades of experience working in the plumbing industry. In fact, some of our team members are second generation plumbers. Suffice it to say, we know what we’re doing. When you want your drains professionally cleaned, hire the best by calling Mr. Rooter Plumbing.
Hire the Pros at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Mississauga Today!
Tired of showering in inches of water? Or smelling something disgusting as you clean your hair? Noticed a puddle on the ground that shouldn't be there? Clogged shower drains are a nuisance, and can be frustrating to deal with in your Mississauga home. That's why the pros at Mr. Rooter of Mississauga are experts at clearing blocked pipes, as well as providing a range of other plumbing solutions like clearing clogged sinks. We've helped numerous homeowners throughout the Mississauga area—including in Malton, Hurontario, and Erindale, to name a few—with their plumbing concerns.
To unclog your shower drain as soon as possible, get in touch with one of our friendly customer service representatives today. We can be reached at 905-817-0210.