You noticed something was wrong with the shower or bathtub right away: The water was draining slowly. Did you fear that you have a blocked drain on your hands? Maybe you put it out of your mind at first, thinking that perhaps it was just your imagination or some sort of systemwide slowdown. There has been a lot of rain lately, right?
But then you find that you can no longer ignore it – every time you send water down the drain, it feels slower and slower. Things are definitely draining slower than they used to, or maybe it’s come to the point of having standing water in the sink, shower, or tub.
Until one day, it stops draining completely. Uh-oh. What a nightmare.
Don’t worry! You’ve got this.
That’s because we’ve got this — and by “we” … we mean Meticulous Plumbing!
Plumbing Services In Portland, Oregon
Here at Meticulous Plumbing (where our game is as sharp as our name), we’ve got the tools, the expertise, and the know-how to unclog a shower drain due to hair clogs or other things! Drain cleaning is easy for our experts and we are proud to provide simple solutions that will help prevent the same thing from happening in the future.
Nobody likes clogged drains — it’s messy and truly slows things down. You don’t have time for that! Bathtub and shower drains can clog for a lot of reasons, including:
- Hair
- Soap scum
- Shampoo buildup
- Dirt, sand, other outdoor debris
- Hard water deposits
Plus, since bathtub and shower drains sit lower than sink drains in the kitchen or bathroom, they tend to back up faster than other drains.
Plumbers in Portland, such as the experts at Meticulous Plumbing, know that many of the older homes in the area are prone to having clogged bathtub and shower drains because the piping itself in these homes is old and possibly in need of replacement.
But chances are that your bathtub is clogged with a combination of material from the list above. The good news is it can be remedied quickly, so you can be back in action in no time at all.
How To Unclog A Shower Drain
We all know that a clogged drain is a real drag. So, let’s get that bathtub unclogged, shall we? Here are a few different ways you can successfully unclog a bathtub drain:
Plunger. For many clogs, a common household plunger will do the trick. The plunger creates a vacuum within the pipe itself. First, remove the shower drain cover and then push the plunger down (positive pressure) and pull it up (negative pressure) to dislodge stubborn bathtub clogs.
Plungers are tailor-made for toilet clogs, but can be a little harder to use on a shower pan. To create an air-tight seal, consider smearing a little petroleum jelly on the edge of the plunger or around the shower drain hole. This will make your plunging efforts more efficient.
Drain cleaner. If a good plunge doesn’t do the trick, the next step usually involves a household drain cleaner. These are often very effective at removing bathtub clogs but be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Combining a cup of baking soda and vinegar can be one way to help loosen up a blocked drain.
Simply mix up the right combination, pour it down the drain, let it work its magic, then pour boiling water down the drain. No matter what drain cleaner you decide to use, make sure to remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your skin.
Plumber’s snake. Also known as a toilet jack, plumber’s snakes are inserted into the clogged drain pipe itself to help loosen difficult clogs – especially thick hair clogs. These are standard tools for plumbers, but do-it-yourself homeowners often have their own on hand.
If the clog is relatively close to the surface, you may also be able to use a wire coat hanger to fish out the clog. If the clog is beyond the P-trap, we would not recommend this method as it could damage the plumbing. If it seems like a relatively small clog, run hot water down the drain. Boil some water, remove the drain cover, and carefully pour it down.
Meticulous Plumbing
With these simple tips, hopefully you can get the drain moving freely so you can use your sink, tub, or shower like normal. If these remedies do not solve the problem for you, then don’t waste your time – call a plumber and let them figure it out.
Contact Meticulous Plumbing! We offer upfront pricing before beginning any project, and we will make sure the job is done right and in a timely manner. We understand that you need your drains working as quickly as possible – we are known for our detailed work that is done as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Even better, we can provide home plumbing inspections at the time of service. This is helpful in preventing home improvement problems from building up — like the material that is clogging your slow-draining bathtub! Or maybe you have another plumbing home improvement project that needs a professional opinion. We are glad to chat with you about that, as well.
So, if you find yourself saying, “My shower drain is clogged,” then give Meticulous a call, and let our plumbing experts take care of it for you.
