Clean off any hair or debris that may be clinging to the grate. As soon as it starts to fizz (which will be immediately), pour the solution down your clogged drain. While that sits, bring about 4 cups of water to a boil. Baking Soda, Vinegar, Gravity, and Pressure If your bath drain is clogged, mix up some of the baking soda/vinegar mentioned in tip two. If the clog is too far down to reach with your fingers, unscrew or pry up the drain cover. Sign up for our newsletter! When using a sewer rod, direct the rod through the pipe until you reach the obstruction. On a sink drain, you may be able to remove the stopper and insert the cable or rod directly into the drain. Unscrew the overflow plate, pull out the linkage, clean the stopper and linkage, and rinse the drainpipes. ". Pour the boiling water directly into the drain, which might instantly unclog the drain. When this happens, you may be at a loss regarding which method you should use to fix the problem. Wait somewhere between 20 and 30 ⦠This simple fix may or may not work, but it's worth a try. Repeat this step if needed. When the hour is up, run hot water down the drain to flush out the cleaning solution and any debris. Sometimes you can clear a clog in metal pipes by simply pouring a kettle-full of boiling water down the drain, a little at a time. Read and follow the directions on the label, and make sure you have good ventilation so you don't inhale any fumes. This guide will tell you how to unclog a shower drain. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. A plugged-up sink, shower, or tub drain sends most people running for either a bottle of caustic drain cleaner or a plumberâs phone number. Push the rod forward and pull it back to break up the clog. Run hot water down the drain to test that the clog is completely gone and replace the drain cover. If hair is wrapped around the crossbars, slice through it with a utility knife and then grab it with the wire. Heldigvis a clogged shower drain is not as big a tragedy as a clogged artery, and you can actually fix it yourself without professional help. Remove the screws and lift away the grate from the drain opening. If you are dealing with water pooling around while you are taking a shower, and your drain is clogged with hair, here are proven methods for unclogging it: 1. Bend a little hook on the end of a stiff wire (or a coat hanger) with a pair of needle-nose pliers and shove it through the clog. Otherwise, simply remove the entire shaft by unscrewing it. ", Step 4: Pour about a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by an equal amount of vinegar. If you have the time and energy after boring through the clog, clean the sides of the pipe by attaching a finishing tool to the cable and running the full length of the cable down the drain. Step 1: Allow your sink to drain completely. Complete DIY projects like a pro! Apply some petroleum jelly to the edge of the cup if you have trouble getting a good seal. Our latest shed is also a pavilionâand you can build it, too! You might also consider pouring a cup of vinegar down the drain after each shower to eat away at any debris in the pipe. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Pour 1/2 cup of Blue Dawn detergent (for the best result, do not use substitutes) into the drain. © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. While bleach cleans and sanitizes, it's not always effective on shower clogs. Let it sit for at least one hour so the vinegar and baking soda can work. Dish soap and a 5-gallon bucket work best, but if secrecy is paramount and leaving the lavatory would blow your cover, a small plastic waste bin and a few pumps from a ⦠If those donât work, move on to more involved options below to fix your clogged bathroom sink. On a shower drain, remove the strainer in the shower floor and insert the cable into the drain. ", Step 3: While some DIY-ers try to unclog a shower drain with bleach, some professional plumbers do not recommend it. Tools. You may have to try more than one method to fix a clogged shower drain, which could be caused by a build-up of hair, grease and soap; a build-up of dirt or minerals from your water; or tree roots growing through tiny cracks in your underground pipes. Simply unscrew the stopper from the set screw. How to Unclog Your Shower Drain. Fortunately, there are a variety of DIY methods you can use to quickly and easily clear the drain. If you don't have the tools to grab the clog, use long screwdrivers. The metal or plastic grate that covers the drain opening in the shower is usually secured with simple screws. Go slowly, so you don't lose the clog. How to Unclog a Shower Drain Naturally There are two options: Baking Soda and Vinegar Mixture Unlike harsh chemicals, using a simple and natural mixture of Vinegar and Baking Soda can help loosen and get rid small blockages down your shower drain. Note: If you see black gunk coming out of your drain, you may have a sewage blockage. Run water in the shower to be sure the clog is gone before you replace the drain cover. Put it into the drain and fish out any debris. Then use a hose to run water down the drain as you retrieve the cable. Be safe and wear rubber gloves and eye protection if you use a chemical product to unclog a shower drain. So, to avoid using caustic, toxic chemicals, look no further than your kitchen pantry for everything you need to unclog a drain without causing damage to your health or the environment. Remove the drain cover and pour in the solution, which will immediately start fizzing. For tough clogs, use a full cup. Step 2: Fill a tea kettle or pot with water. A plunger or drain stopper to temporarily seal the drain. All Rights Reserved. Shower drain covers come in various styles, including the following: Screw-In â This is a standard shower drain cover resembling a flat or fairly concave (at times convex) strainer for brewing tea. How to Unclog a Shower Drain with a Chemical Drain Opener Give the handle one more full turn to ensure the clog is hooked. As with a sink clog, start with the plunger. How to Unclog a Shower Drain with Vinegar and Baking Soda Mix 1/3 cup of baking soda with 1/3 cup of vinegar in a heat-resistant measuring cup. If the clog persists, use a plunger, plumber's snake or chemical drain opener. Remove the drain cover and put the rubber cup of the plunger over the drain opening. ", Step 2: Be safe and wear rubber gloves when removing clogs by any of these methods. Baking Soda and Vinegar. When the resistance lessens, that often means the snake has cleared the drain. Then run enough water in the shower stall to cover the lip of the cup. If chemicals labeled for use on shower clogs don't work, and you call a plumber, tell him what you've already used so he can work safely. Pour ½ cup of Blue Dawn detergent (for the best result, do not use substitutes) into the drain. Unfortunately, if you canât unclog your drain on any environment-friendly way, you should look for chemicals. If you turn on the vacuum to the highest setting, hard suction may pull on the hair and small objects from the shower drain. Place the hose over the drain grille and turn the device on. Insert the snake into the drain until it hits the clog. Pour your drain opener down the tub or shower drain and wait to see whether it works its magic. Remove the screen and clean the crossbars. Put a hair trap in the shower drain, and clean it regularly. An old-fashioned cup-style, or sink, plunger is another great tool for unclogging a bathtub or shower drain without chemicals. A drain snake is a thin, flexible tool you can insert into the drain to dislodge soap scum, hair, or other buildup. After the boiling water goes down the drain, run some water in the shower to see if the clog is cleared. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. Brush your hair before you shampoo it in the shower. Use a flashlight, if needed, to help you see into the drain. This will help dislodge grease, soap and debris before it forms a clog. Usually, the shower drain will start to gradually clog up. To prevent future shower clogs, try one or more of these ideas. A clogged shower or bath drain is one of the most common bathroom issues that homeowners across the country face. Call a professional plumber for help, as this is a serious problem and can be a health issue. On a tub drain, remove the overflow plate and insert the cable into the overflow line. If it's manual, you'll have to manually turn the handle to operate it. Then turn the handle counterclockwise to back the snake out of the drain. While that sits, bring about 4 cups of water to a boil. Method 10 â Chemicals. Follow our series of photos to determine which type of tub drain stopper you have and how to remove it. For tough clogs, use a full cup. Turn the handle clockwise to hook the clog and continue running the snake down the drain. How to Unclog a Drain Naturally. A clogged shower drain could be caused by anything from a small blockage to a major obstruction in your main sewer line. You can pull it out even if water is standing in the shower, as long as the water is not too hot to touch. If thereâs a pop-up drain on the tub, raise the lever to the open position, then grab the stopper and pull it from the drain hole. In this video from prohandymanlv we learn how to unclog a shower drain. Tips for Preventing Shower Clogs Move the plunger handle up and down rapidly to force out the clog. Yes, bleach can help you too to clean your shower drain. If you have tried all the DIY options and you still can't figure out how to unclog a bathtub drain full of hair, a chemical drain opener is a logical next step. Wait for several minutes after showering so that the water can drain. First Step to Detaching a Shower Drain Cover . We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), How to Remove a Bathtub Drain in 3 Easy Steps, How to Easily Dry the Inside of Latex Cleaning Gloves, Do Not Sell My Personal Information â CA Residents. Whether it's hair, soap or anything that's been dropped while bathing, a clogged drain can be a real pain to fix. Youâll need to carefully pour some bleach into a cup and then dump it down your shower drain. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. You needed: Needle-nose pliers, havelange, and small towel. 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