Simple steps to unclog that shower drain

A hot shower is something we all look forward to after a long day’s work. But if the drain is running slow or not at all, it becomes a lot less rewarding. But it can be cleared, hopefully without a lot of drama.

Here are some things you can try to free up that clogged shower drain.

Ÿ The first, and easiest, thing to try is a small snake or one of the new plastic strips with barbs along the side. Both of these are pushed down into the drain to loosen hair, which usually is the problem with clogged shower drains.

Ÿ A plunger also is something you can try without removing the drain cover. Place it over the drain and push and release it several times to try to move the clog.

Ÿ If that doesn’t do the trick or you need better access, you should remove the drain cover. If there’s a screw or two holding it in place, remove these. Be extra careful that you don’t accidentally drop the screws down into the drain. If the drain cover is held in place by caulk, or plumber’s putty, then you can gently pry it up, being careful not to scratch the shower surface.

Ÿ Once the cover is up, it will be easier to snake out the drain.

Ÿ There’s a neat device called the Drain King. This gadget fits onto the end of a garden hose and gets forced into the drain. When the hose is turned on, it swells and then pulses out a strong jet of water to help force the clog out.

Ÿ Another way to work with the snake is from another location. If you have a clean-out plug near the shower, remove the cap and run the snake in through the plug. These probably are located on the outside of the house, in the vicinity of the bathroom.

Ÿ If you haven’t snaked out your attic vent lately, that also could contribute to the drainage problem. Just be careful when working up on the roof. Do them all while you are up there and see if it doesn’t help some of the other drains in the house.

Ÿ As a last resort, you can try using chemical clog busters. Just be very careful.

That’s about all you need to do in most cases. Good luck!

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