Hair clogs are arguably the most common cause of a clogged tub drain or shower drain. However, some of us with long hair deal with hair clogs more often than others.
If you are dealing with a hair clog, look at our tried and tested solutions. If you aren’t dealing with hair clogging your drain, you’re lucky! Unfortunately, there are more common causes for clogged drains, even if you’re rocking a Mr. Clean hairdo. It would be best if you didn’t wait around for one to ruin your day.
Why Isn’t Water Going Down My Shower Drain?
If your shower floor is filled with standing water, a clog might hinder it from draining properly. Water that won’t go away is especially bothersome in tubs. Your tub drain is just as prone to encountering a clog as your shower drain.
After taking a bath or shower, inspect the water flow. Take note of the following:
- Is the water still?
- Is it taking too long for water to drain from the tub or shower floor?
- Are there unusual noises coming from your shower drain?
- Is there any backflow?
If the answer to one or more of these questions is yes, you should inspect your drain opening for all possible causes.
The first thing you should look for is a hair clog.
Let’s Clear the Hair: Can My Hair Clog the Shower Drain?
It absolutely can, and hair is one of the most common particles caught in drains. The easiest thing you can do about it is to clean hair out of the drain. Unlike other particles, dissolving hair is nearly impossible. You must pull every strand out before pouring any liquid drain cleaners down.
Some use a plumbing snake tool, while others just go with the hand method.
Let’s get into other methods below, but here’s a quick fix for minor clogs:
- Wear gloves.
- Remove the drain cover to reach clogs underneath.
- Scrape all the hair off the drain opening.
Clogged Drain: Common Causes
If your plumbing system is less at risk of a hair clog, there are plenty of other causes you need to watch out for. Here are some of the most commonly reported clogs worldwide.
Soap Scum
If you have a shower drain, soap, and water, it could be a recipe for disaster. In most cases, soap scum isn’t anything to worry about and can be easily remedied with a little baking soda and vinegar drain cleaner.
Still, some scum is more stubborn. If a hair clog accompanies it, cleaning up might be more complicated.
Particle Buildup
Besides soap and hair, other debris can get caught in your shower drain. It would be best to have a drain guard to prevent hair and other particles from flushing down your pipes. A drain guard helps keep larger particles shallow and easy to reach. If you take the drain stopper out and remove the whole drain guard, you might notice the water immediately swirl around the drain opening and sink into the pipe.
However, smaller particles can get through drain guards and penetrate your pipe. These particles include chipped building materials:
- Grout
- Tile
- Plastic
- Putty
However, those aren’t the only things you might find inside a shower or bathtub drain.
Foreign Objects
If you’re not careful, earrings, rings, pendants, and other jewelry may end up in your shower drain. Even watches that are small enough may make their way down there.
Don’t forget to give your bath water another look before you pull on the drain stopper. If you don’t want to dedicate extra time to thoroughly examining your tub after every bath, ensure you remove all your accessories.
If you’re sure the backflow isn’t caused by anything in your shower drain that isn’t supposed to be there, you might have bigger problems.
Faulty Plumbing
The most problematic issues to deal with are your home’s fundamental plumbing. Some contractors cut costs and stinge on the quality and sizes of your pipes. Inexperienced plumbers hastening the installation of your plumbing fixtures may also be to blame.
If your pipes are out of order, it’s only a matter of time before your shower drain, bathroom sink drain, kitchen sink drain, and floor drain produce backflow.
For plumbing installations and maintenance, stick to a reliable and professional plumber with great recommendations and credible experience. It will save you from mountainous repairs in the future.
Hair Clogs
A hair clog is the most common clog in your shower drain. A hair clog isn’t something that requires a professional plumber to remedy. If you have a wire hanger, white vinegar, and baking soda, you can execute the quick fix stated above.
A quick fix may remedy a hair clog, but it’s best you don’t wait for things to worsen before you break out the wire hanger and homemade drain cleaner.
Should I Be Worried About Hair Clogs?
Don’t worry. It’s nothing a cup of baking soda, vinegar, boiling water rinse, and a coat hanger can’t help.
Cleaning hair isn’t as easy as clearing scum and other debris. You need to clear hair out of your drain before you can clean hair out of your shower drain. The first step you should take is removing hair clumps blocking your drains. You can use your hands, but needle nose pliers may help you reach any remaining hair deeper into your pipes.
A removable cover may trap hair in its mesh, and you should take all that off before placing it back.
While baking soda and vinegar work fine, chemical drain cleaners are available at your local hardware store. These drain cleaners are best against scum and microparticles but won’t work against a hair clog. You shouldn’t pick cleaners with sodium hydroxide as their primary components.
Stubborn hair clogs may not succumb to natural solutions, but they might against harsh chemicals. However, chemical drain cleaners may leave lasting effects and irritate your skin later. A harsh chemical reaction to store-bought drain cleaners may cause injuries and respiratory issues.
If you don’t have sensitive skin, go with an enzymatic drain cleaner. You can dissolve hair easily with these drain cleaners, but you should use rubber gloves before handling them. It is prudent to use protective gear before conducting any at-home remedies.
How to Get Hair Out of Drain: Do It Yourself Remedies
You should call for professional assistance if a clog persists and leads to nasty odors. However, you may try one of our techniques if this is the first time you encounter any issues with your shower drain.
Before all else:
- Remember to inspect your drain carefully.
- Pull the cover off and shine a flashlight down there.
- Use a cup plunger instead of a toilet plunger to induce water flow and coax any buildup out of your drain.
Sometimes, a few pumps may be enough to get things flowing again. If that isn’t enough, proceed with the steps below.
Unclogging Your Shower Drains: Snaking Solution
A popular and proven solution to get hair out of your drains is to snake it. A plumbing snake is always preferable to get hair and other particles out of your drain. However, you can make your own if you don’t have one lying around.
How to Make a Makeshift Snake and how to use it
- Cut a plastic bottle into sections.
- Take one section of plastic and cut its end into the shape of an anchor or arrowhead.
- Take a wire hanger and straighten it out.
- Stick the plastic at the end of the wire with electrical tape.
- Remove the drain cover.
- Simply insert your makeshift drain snake down the pipe.
- Move it around in a circular motion, careful not to exert too much force.
- Pull the makeshift drain snake out and untangle any hair that gets caught in its “teeth.”
- Repeat the process until the clog is gone.
- Pour boiling water down the drain, followed by any drain cleaners at your disposal.
If you don’t have drain cleaners, here’s how you can make a gentle one at home.
How to Clean Drains: The Vinegar and Baking Soda Solution
After pouring boiling water down the drain, let it “simmer” for a few minutes before following it with dish soap, baking soda, and vinegar compound.
How to: Baking Soda and Vinegar drain cleaner
- Measure one cup of baking soda. (240ml/8oz)
- Measure one cup of white vinegar. (240ml/8oz)
- DO NOT MIX.
- Wait for the hot water you poured down the drain to cool.
- Put your hand above the drain’s opening and feel for steam.
- If it’s warm to the touch without steaming, it’s time for the dish soap.
- Squirting dishwashing liquid before baking soda is an optional step you can take to help clear your pipes of any bacteria.
- Pour the baking soda first.
- Pouring in vinegar first will only flush it down the drain and hinder the chemical reaction we want this mixture to result in.
- Pour the vinegar next.
- It should bubble up, producing a fizzing sound.
- Wait ten to thirty minutes.
- Pour hot water down the drain to wash down any residue.
These are the easiest at-home remedies against minor clogs and blockages.
However, snaking and drain cleaners aren’t effective against all clogs. You might pull this off once, but you’re not going to get away with clearing clogs using hot water and needle nose pliers every time.
Are You Looking for Reliable Plumbing Services in Melbourne, Florida
Call a professional if you’re tired of dealing with making DIY materials to get hair out of the drain.
Additionally, you aren’t sure if you’re causing more damage than progress in resolving the issue. Don’t hesitate to ask for professional assistance whenever you’re unsure of what you’re doing.
Mac 5 Expert Services
Don’t settle for less! We’ve got your back if you need reliable and affordable plumbing repair!
Mac 5 offers residents all over Florida a comprehensive suite of services. Book your appointment online or call our hotline!
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