We’ve probably all found ourselves with a slow draining shower. If you’re surrounded by a pool of water half way through your shower then chances are, your shower drain is blocked.
You want to tackle the issue as early as possible to prevent water overflowing onto your bathroom floor, and more serious problems appearing on your doorstep.
Causes Of A Blocked Shower Drain
If water is not draining fast enough in your shower, you probably have a block on your hands. The thought of a clogged shower drain shouldn’t invoke immediate fear, as the majority of the time this can be easily resolved.
Before we look at how to unblock your drain, it’s best we look into the causes. The most common causes of a blocked shower drain are:
- Soap
- Toothpaste
- Limescale
- Hair
Soap Scum
It’s not very pleasant, but one of the main causes of a blocked shower drain is soap scum. When soap is combined with water, it can form soap scum. You may notice this around your bath, basin, and shower screen. Unfortunately, if you live in a hard water area, this can be particularly bad.
If you need help with cleaning soap scum and limescale on your shower glass and brassware, make sure you check out our handy guide to cleaning shower glass.
As your drains are out of sight, you won’t notice a build up of soap scum and limescale until it is too late. Over time the soap will trap hair and skin cells, and before you know it you are standing with water up to your ankles while you shower. Standing water is the biggest tell that you have a blocked shower drain.
Toothpaste
We’re a big fan of multi-tasking, and saving time. If you’ve never brushed your teeth while in the shower, you’re missing out!
We find the perfect opportunity to brush your teeth in the shower is while you are letting your conditioner soak in. However, spitting your toothpaste down the drain combined with soap scum and hair, you could end up with a blocked drain.
Save this hack for particularly dull mornings when you need a couple of extra minutes under the hot water. If your sink is within reaching distance of your shower, you can spit your toothpaste down your sink drain as usual, and go back to the comforts of your warm shower!
Hair
Unfortunately we shed hair on a regular basis, especially when we are in the shower. While you’re giving your head a good scrub, lathering up your shampoo to the max, your hair is actually being pulled in all different directions. Eventually your hair gives up the fight.
Slight hair breakage in the shower is nothing to be concerned about as it is completely normal, and you aren't likely to notice the hair loss. However over time the hair you have lost down the drain will build up until it creates a block.
Most of the time a hair block can be broken down, which we will explain further. Keep reading to find out how to dissolve hair in shower drains.
How To Unblock Shower Drains
Now you are aware of the main causes of a blocked shower drain, it’s time to look at the potential ways to unblock a shower.
Boiling Water
The easiest method you can try is pouring boiling water down your drain. However, if you have a more serious blockage, then this method probably won’t work.
Boil a kettle or a pan of water and leave it for a minute or two. Pour the water down the drain, but be careful you don’t make any splashes as the water could scald you.
If your block is quite new, and is being caused by light soap scum or hair then the hot water could break down your blockage and flush it away. If this doesn’t work, there are other methods you can try before you call in a professional.
Go In With Your Hands
If the block isn’t too deep, then you may be able to remove the clog with your hands. This could get quite messy so make sure you have rubber gloves on to protect your hands, and it would be best you wear old clothing.
Remove your drain cover and have a look down your drain, preferably with a torch so you can get a good look at what you are working with. If your slow draining shower is being caused by a hair block, you should be able to remove this easily with your hands.
Baking Soda And Vinegar
Rushing to a shop to buy specialised products for unblocking your drain isn’t always necessary. Before you rush to a shop, check in your household cupboards to see if you have baking soda and vinegar. Luckily most of us will have these items at home as they are staple items for the kitchen, and also have brilliant cleaning benefits.
Pour a cup of baking soda down your drain, and then follow this up a couple of minutes later with a cup of white vinegar. Make sure you pour your vinegar and soda down the drain and not around, as you don’t want to end up with a bubbling reaction in your shower enclosure.
Place your drain cover on top of the drain and leave the baking soda and vinegar to work for a couple of hours. Pour hot water down your drain, if this method has been successful then your blockage should have cleared.
Drain Cleaner
If the above methods haven’t worked, then you probably need a little extra help: chemicals. You can pick up chemical drain cleaner at most shops, if you are struggling to find any in a supermarket then head to a DIY store.
The good thing about store bought drain cleaning products is they come with instructions. Simply follow the guide on the bottle, and your drain clog should be gone.
This method shouldn’t be used often as the chemicals can end up doing more damage than good to your drain with overuse.
Get A Professional Opinion
Maybe you have tried all of the above methods and nothing is helping. Or you are successfully unblocking your drain but then a few weeks later you find yourself showering with water creeping up to your ankles. Then it is time to call a professional plumber, who will be able to diagnose the issue, and resolve accordingly.
FAQs
How To Clean The Shower Drain?
Regular cleaning of your shower drain will prevent a block from forming. When you are cleaning your bathroom, remove your drain cover and pour hot water down your drain to flush away lingering hair or soap scum. Use a mixture of half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar if you suspect a block might be starting to form.
Why Does My Shower Drain Smell?
If you notice a bad smell coming from your drain, this is an indicator you have a clogged drain.
Can You Put Bleach Down Shower Drains?
We would strongly recommend you don’t pour bleach down your drain. Bleach won’t help to unblock your drain, and could actually end up damaging your pipes.
If you’re ready to upgrade your bathroom, explore our extensive shower range.
For any issues regarding the cleaning or maintenance of our products, speak to a member of the team.
