Question: Which type of drain blockage would make your heart sink the most? The kitchen sink? The toilet? The stormwater? They each have the potential to seriously disturb your life – and make one heck of a mess in the process. But when all is said and done, there’s almost nothing in the world more soothing than a long, hot, steaming shower to wash away the stress. So how much should you be panicking if you discover a blocked shower drain?
First things first: Is a blocked shower really just around the corner? In most cases, that blockage has been brewing for some time, perhaps most noticeably because once you turn off the taps, you’re still toe-deep in water up to several minutes later. You might also find that collecting water leaking out all over the bathroom floor, or another obvious sign of a Brisbane shower drain blocked because of all that accumulated skin, soap and hair gunk:
- Hearing or seeing bubbling?
- Hearing gargling?
- Smelling a foul drain stench?
- Water re-directing out of your other drains?
But don’t let your blocked shower get you down! Rest assured, it’s one of the most common household plumbing issues we see – and in most cases, it’s hardly a big deal. As we’ve suggested, it’s probably a lump of hair mixed with shampoo, soap and other shower funk – although in some cases it may be caused by a broken or collapsed pipe or badly installed plumbing.
If it is just a run-of-the-mill shower drain blockage, you don’t even need to call the plumber … yet. With a bit of common do-it-yourself sense (just like you do in unblocking a sink drain), and tools just about every household is likely to possess, you can even try to learn how to unblock a shower drain for yourself. With our guidance, of course!:
1. Vinegar
But don’t mix it with salt for your fish ‘n chips, mix up a shower blockage-busting brew of white vinegar and baking soda. It sometimes works just as well as drain cleaners off the shelf, but it’s all-natural and better for your pipes. Simply pour half a cup of soda down the drain, pour in half a cup of vinegar – and then start to hear it fizz! For best results, leave it for an hour or two and then wash it down later with a full kettle of almost-boiled water.
2. Commercial cleaner
Just like baking soda and vinegar, but a little harsher to unblock a shower drain that’s being even more stubborn. Just make sure to read the directions well, ventilate the bathroom, and wear rubber gloves to protect your skin. And watch out for your eyes! Furthermore, you should also take a look at the risks of using liquid drain cleaners on your drains in general.
3. Boiling water
Who said unblocking shower drains had to be complicated? Whether you use a natural or a commercial brew as in methods #1 and #2, always follow it up with a plentiful supply of nearly-boiled hot water. Especially with showers, which can be backed up with months and even years of soapy scum build-up, it can be highly beneficial. It’s also a great habit to get into as a weekly preventative.
4. Plunger
Although the toilet and your kitchen sink are most suitable for using a plunger, it can also be really helpful for any drain – including your shower. The most important thing is to ensure you are creating a perfect seal, so if you’re struggling with that for your shower, try adding some Vaseline.
5. Hands
Sturdy rubber gloves are a must here, and you’ll also need to get that drain cover off. When you do, it’s possible you’ll actually see the blockage – especially if you direct the beam of a flashlight down there. Use your fingers or a hook of some type to pull out the gunk or object. You’ll probably discover that it’s a giant ball of soapy hair (ew!).
6. Coat hanger
The commercial option is using a drain snake, but we find that for DIY purposes, a wire coat hanger can be easily fashioned into the perfect shallow shower drain hook. If that blockage can’t be reached with your hands, this is one of the best ways to fish it out – just be careful not to push that clog into an even more compact lump of gunk.
We’re Brisbane’s blocked shower drain masters
How did you go? A perfect DIY success … or do you need a bit of professional help? Luckily, our specialists in Brisbane drain plumbing are particularly handy with a blocked shower drain – even if we do need to pull out the specialist tools and equipment that we always carry around in our vans. We have augers, CCTV drain cameras, high-pressure hydro jetters and much more – and we always rush to your place in a flash, charge great rates and back up our skills with workmanship guarantees.
Has learning how to clear a blocked shower drain got you down? Turn that frown upside down and get back to what you love doing best by calling the experts at unblocking drains Brisbane wide today.
