Unclog a shower or bathtub drain
Unclog a shower or bathtub drain
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Soap buildup, hair residue, or grease can easily clog the bathtub or shower. Don’t let the problem sit. Water damage can occur very quickly in the bathroom, particularly if the drain pipe is clogged. Remember, the bathroom is the room in the house most susceptible to water-related problems. A slow-draining bathtub or shower is a sure sign that there is a blockage somewhere in your pipes. You have two options: you can either unclog the drain yourself or call a plumber.
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TOOLS
Tools and materials required
TOOLS
- Cloths
- Sink Plunger (with a red cup)
- Metal clothes hanger
- Bucket
- Plumber’s Auger
- Protective gloves
- Protective mask
- Flashlight
- Screwdriver
Before Assembly
NOTES
PREPARATION
Take off your watch and rings so you don’t risk losing them in the drain.
SAFETY
Chemical products used to unclog a shower drain are corrosive and emit toxic fumes. Take precautions if you decide to use these products, such as wearing gloves and a mask.
Air out the bathroom after product remainders have been emptied into the toilet.
Never use more than one chemical product at a time; combining products could result in a chemical reaction or splash.
In case of contact with your skin or eyes, rinse generously with water and consult a doctor immediately.
MAINTENANCE
To avoid repeating the problem of residue-buildup, place a perforated cover over the drain hole; this will collect residue as the water drains out, thus preventing it from clogging your drain pipe.
Clean your bathtub drain every six months by pouring a mixture of boiling water and vinegar down the drain.
Steps
1.1 Remove the strainer, or drain cover. Some covers will only require a gentle pull, whereas others are screwed in and will require a screwdriver. If you need to take out screws, be sure to place them in a container so they can’t slip down the drain.
1.2 Place the cover, screwdriver, and container for the screws outside the shower.
1.3 Pick out any strands of hair caught in the cover.
If you don’t see any hair buildup and the water is sill draining slowly, you’ll need to investigate further.
2.1 Shine a flashlight down the drain to locate the blockage.
2.2 Use a straightened-out wire clothes hanger to remove the obstruction. Hook the end of the hanger on to the blockage by moving it around, from side to side, then use a corkscrew-like motion to pull it out.
If you haven’t had any success so far, use a red plunger (not to be confused with a toilet plunger, which is generally black with a lower lip).
3.1 Cover the overflow with a damp cloth or piece of tape. You can also use duct tape. Ensure that there are two to three inches of water over the drain hole (enough to cover the plunger) before you proceed. Place the plunger cap over the plug hole.
3.2 Plunge vigorously up and down several times.
3.3 Remove the cloth from the overflow and turn on the water; check whether water is moving freely down the drain.
3.4 Replace the cover, or cover mechanism.
Chemical products
4.1 Wear gloves, and protect your face with a mask so you don’t breathe in any toxic fumes.
4.2 Pour the product slowly into standing water over the drain, taking care to avoid any splashing. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully regarding waiting times.
4.3 Rinse with hot water to dilute and remove any residue.
4.4 Ventilate the room to evacuate any toxic fumes.
Natural products
4.5 Pour a few teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in the blocked shower or bathtub drain.
4.6 Next, pour down a cup of white vinegar and let stand for 15 minutes.
4.7 Add more vinegar, then run hot water down the drain.
If three or four attempts with the plunger haven’t produced any results, the clog is further down in the drain pipe. You’ll need to use a plumber’s auger, or as it is more commonly called, a hand snake.
If there is no buildup residue in the trap, the problem is probably in the pipe work behind the wall. If this is the case, try to remove the blockage with an auger.
5.1 Feed the end of the auger cable into the drain hole.
5.2 Leave approximately 6 inches of the cable above the drain, then turn the crank handle clockwise, pushing down gently until you feel some resistance, a sign that you have reached the blockage.
5.3 Continue to crank the handle clockwise to firmly snag the clog. Continue cranking while pulling the clog all the way out. Start over if you lose contact.
5.4 Remove the blockage.
5.5 Replace the drain cover.
5.6 Flush the system with hot water to eliminate any residue.
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