5 Tips to Unclog a Blocked Shower Drain

Identifying Signs of a Blocked Shower Drain

Multiple signs can alert you to a blocked shower drain. The most obvious sign of a clogged shower drain is water pooling instead of going down smoothly. You may also notice gurgling sounds as water attempts to drain or an unpleasant sewerage smell. Multiple signs can alert you to a blocked shower drain. These issues often worsen over time if neglected.

A blocked shower drain can cause water overflow and unclean conditions, leading to slip hazards, bathroom damage from excess moisture, and health risks from mould and bacterial growth. Don’t ignore the need to unclog shower problems, as delays risk further plumbing complications.

You’ll find the expert plumbers at Rockdale Plumbing can help accurately identify blockages You’ll find our use of state-of-the-art drain inspection cameras and get in touch with us for specialised hydro jet drain cleaning equipment to clear even the most stubborn blockages within your drains. Contact us for expert plumbing services at 1300 349 338, and we’ll promptly address your clogged drain.

Examining and Removing Visible Clogs

The first troubleshooting step when dealing with a fix blocked shower drain is to check for any visible clogs or obstructions. Begin by removing the drain cover and conducting a thorough inspection with a flashlight. Look for accumulations that may be clogging your drain and get rid of hair soap residue, and clear out other obstructive elements you can.

Wear rubber gloves for protection when handling the drain’s contents. Long-handled tongs, pliers, or a DIY hook made by straightening out a wire coat hanger can be used to assist in retrieving hair clumps, allowing you to pull out blockages and other material with your hand, preventing further blockages from sneaking into drain.

Take care not to scratch or damage the piping when you ensure that the blockage come out successfully. carefully dispose of other debris to ensure it doesn’t get forced further down into the pipes or come up any in the wrong place. Place any collected items, including dead skin, into an empty container for correct disposal later.

Regularly clearing hair, soap residue, and other build-up can most effectively keep your blocked drain clean, If you require more tips to prevent blockages, and more severe blockages from forming over time. Reach out to Rockdale Plumbing at 1300 349 338 for advanced inspections and hydro jet cleaning, ensuring peak performance for your shower drainage system.

Using Household Items to Dislodge Clogs

Before calling a plumber, You can use a variety of common household items to dislodge the clog first. Try using tactics on how unblock that work when attempting to clear a drain at home, starting with a simple check of the drain plug:

Plunger

A rubber plunger can generate enough suction to dislodge clogs. To improve the plunger’s seal, apply petroleum jelly around its rim and then pump vigorously to unclog the drain.

After removing the drain cover, position the plunger firmly over the drain and pump rapidly.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

The baking soda vinegar concoction’s chemical reaction can help break up the obstructions clear clogged shower drains. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, then follow with one cup of heated white vinegar.

Next, flush the drain with hot water to rinse away any loosened debris. If the blockage persists, repeat the process.

Boiling Water

Pour boiling water down the drain cautiously. The heat can help dissolve fatty deposits, while the water force may dislodge the clog. However, when you aim to unblock a shower drain, take care with PVC pipes as excess heat can warp or damage components while attempting to unblock shower pipes.

Allow the pipes to cool before running water again to ensure safe clog removal.

Whether dealing with your sink or shower, for professional drain assessments, hydro jet cleanings or plumbing repairs, we would be at hand to assist you, available 24/7.

Employing Specialized Drain Cleaning Tools

For severe or unreachable clogs, consider using a plumber’s snake or a professional drain cleaning tool. A common professional-grade option is a plumber’s snake, also known as a drain or sewer auger.

A drain snake typically features a long, flexible cable with a curved end for hooking and dislodging obstructions.

Take precautions, to prevent scratching enamel or damaging pipe joints when operating a plumbing snake. Exercise caution and apply moderate force to prevent breaking the cable and to successfully unblock the shower drain. Follow all safety directions and secure long hair when operating a plumber’s snake.

Residents in the Rockdale and Gold Coast areas can hire these specialised tools from plumbing supply stores for main sewer issues.

However, to sort out the issue quickly and to prevent pipe damage risks, our expert technicians, known as proficient drain cleaners, can accurately locate and clear even the most stubborn drain clogs using professional-grade equipment.

Trying DIY Mixtures Like Baking Soda and Vinegar

A widely used DIY drain cleaner is a combination of vinegar and baking soda. These common household ingredients create a chemical reaction that we highly recommend for helping you unblock your shower drain from obstructions.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Recipe

These steps will guide you in creating a DIY drain unclogger that foregoes harsh chemicals:

1. Remove the drain cover and ensure use your drain opening is clear of any hair or debris.
2. Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, analogous in simplicity to using toilet cleaner, starting the process to tackle the clogged shower.
3. Heat up 1 cup of white distilled, cleaning vinegar to a warm temperature, not boiling.
4. Gently pour the warmed vinegar into the drain, over the baking soda.
5. Place the drain cover back over the opening.

The reaction between baking soda and vinegar fizzes, aiding in breaking down the blockage. This chemical reaction helps break down soap scum, grease, hair, and other residues stuck in the pipes. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes so it can work to dissolve the clog.

Flush with Hot Water

After allowing time for the homemade cleaner to work, Run the hot water tap at full pressure for 1-2 minutes to improve drainage. This step should rinse away any debris loosened by the mixture and address residual clogs. Check if the shower drain can easily be cleared by allowing the water to flow unobstructed.

If faced with severe blockages, perform the baking soda and vinegar treatment 2-3 times. Note that in commercial drain settings, repeated use of these materials can lead to corrosion over time. Contact the Rockdale Plumbing team on 1300 349 338 if DIY methods fail to provide a long term solution.

Knowing When to Call a Professional Plumber

If you’re dealing with a backed-up shower, employing plungers, drain snakes, and baking soda mixtures can often clear the clogs. But if these approaches don’t resolve the blockage, it may be time to seek professional assistance.

Persistent slow drainage, overflows, odours, or backed-up pipes may indicate deeper problems, like a burst pipe. As delays risk pipe damage and hazardous conditions, don’t hesitate to do when calling for emergency plumbing assistance.

The expert team at Rockdale Plumbing can draw on years of experience in dealing with tree roots in the plumbing system, and you’ll find our expertise helps us accurately identify and fix even the most stubborn shower drain blockages. We use specialised equipment like drain cameras to locate clogs and advanced hydro jetting to scour your pipes clean.

For prompt assistance with your blocked drains, get touch us with our Rockdale team ready to help when you call our 24/7 plumbing hotline on 1300 349 338. With our very professional and quality guaranteed services, we can restore smooth water flow and leave customers very happy while preventing future plumbing headaches.