Push the plunger up and down several times. The Proper Plunging Technique Carefully remove the overflow plate by removing the two screws holding it down. If pouring hot water into the drain did not unclog it, use baking soda and vinegar to remove excessive gunk. All rights reserved. Screw on the drain stopper and use a plunger to clear the drain one final time. Plumbing snakes have also become very popular with homeowners because they can help to reach whatever is clogging the drain so that the homeowner can easily dispose of it. If you think your clog might be caused by hair or other organic matter, one of the best ways to unclog a shower drain is to go to the kitchen, grab some vinegar and baking soda, and heat a kettle of water. Your bathroom is probably already stocked with everything you'll need to work this magic. Most clogs only require about six good plunging rhythms. Below we’ve detailed how to use a plunger to unclog a shower drain. However, if no drain cleaning products seem to be working, then the plunger can save the day. Unclog a blocked toilet with this simple, ingenious trick -- no plunger required. 2. Now, place the plunger over the drain and fill your shower with a little bit of water so that the bottom of the plunger is covered. Water Backs Up When Running My Washing Machine, To use this coupon present it to the technician at. A lot of homeowners turn to drain cleaning products to help remove clogs in their showers. Remove the cover on your shower drain. Between the hair, soap, and products we use, it’s easy for gunk and debris to build up and clog the drain. Drain cleaning products, or natural remedies including baking soda and vinegar, can prove to be helpful in clearing away a pesky clog. A plunger will force pressurized water in both directions, which will help to effectively loosen whatever is clogging your shower drain. When you are done, run some hot water down the drain to ensure that it is properly draining and to help remove any residual debris. Step 3: Center the plunger over the drain and apply force to create a strong seal. Use a Plunger to Unclog Drains An old-fashioned cup-style, or sink, plunger is another great tool for unclogging a bathtub or shower drain without chemicals. Lining the seal of the plunger with petroleum jelly will help to create a better air suction, making the plunger more effective. Repeat the same process as needed until the drain starts to flow freely. The next thing you should do if hot water doesn’t work is attempt to dislodge the clog with a plunger. Pumping the plunger forces water down into the pipe, then sucks it back up, forcing the clog up and down along with the drain water, ultimately breaking up and loosening the clog. While a plunger may prove effective in removing small clogs, it may not be as effective in removing big blockages since it may not have enough suction to pull them out or dislodge them. Plunging causes suction to force air through the pipes to push out the clog. In many cases, you’ll see that the water clears from your drain very quickly. Wondering how to unclog a shower drain with your toilet plunger? That … Online Scheduling is not available in your area. If you are struggling to find suction, smearing Vaseline on the edge of the plunger has been known to help. This action will force air through the drain. If plunging the clogged pipe doesn’t work, your next option is to use a plumber’s snake, […] Some plates may be bolted down, in which you will need to unscrew the screws and remove the cover. Remove the drain cover ... Use a wire hanger, plunger or even a drain snake to get all the hair, organic matter and other debris out of the way. Begin pushing the plunger up and down forcefully. The Bathroom Plunger. A clogged shower drain is an unpleasant experience for all—luckily, we have 6 simple and affordable ways that you can use to unclog it. See details and services for this location, Plumbers Secret For A Clogged Shower Drain Plunge It. With our help and advice, you can get rid of the standing water and get back to enjoying a clean and comfortable shower experience. Next, you will need to stop the showers overflow drain using a wet rag. What causes a blocked shower drain. Clogged drain? Follow the steps below to properly plunge your shower drain: If you still can’t get rid of that shower clog, or any other clog for that matter, then it may be time to call the professional plumbers at ACE Home Services. Pour boiling water down the drain. Although some of these products may work, these cleaners often have harsh chemicals that are damaging to your drain and can be hazardous to your health if inhaled. Lift up the plunger to see if the water is draining away quickly. This article has all the answers. 8 Ways to Unclog a Shower Drain. Position the plunger in a way that it covers the entirety of the drain. Once you have unclogged the shower drain, you should work on preventing or reducing the chances of it happening again (see my suggestions at the bottom of the page). Keep reading to learn how to plunge your shower drain and get your bathtub back in working condition. Let the water run for a few seconds so that you would be having stagnated water around the drain. If we talk about clogged shower drain, hair is the biggest enemy of shower drains, so your hair is likely the source of your shower drainage problems. You only want to add enough to cover the drain by about an inch. 4. 5 Wait 15-20 minutes. This method works best if the clog is near the top of the drain. That’s because the plunger relies solely on suction to break the clog free. If you leave a clog for too long, it can cause even more damage to your drain and end up costing you, both time and money. All Rights Reserved. However, some are more common than others. After you pick up the plunger, it will pull out the dirt. Plunger: First, fill the tub or sink with some water and place the plunger over the drain. ... location in the drain, and design of the drain will determine the plunger’s success rate. Using a plunger to unclog a shower drain is another effective technique. How to Unclog a Shower Drain with a Plunger. Baking Soda, Vinegar, Gravity, and Pressure If your bath drain is clogged, mix up some of the baking soda/vinegar mentioned in tip two. Begin pushing the plunger up and down forcefully. Simply call (602) 943-2000 or click here to schedule a service call. Inspect the interior of the drain to see if you can locate and remove the source of the clog. How to unclog your drain using a plunger. With the stopper removed, you can line up the plunger with your shower drain. Unclog a Shower Drain with Baking Soda and Vinegar This next solution is a nod to that elementary school science fair classic—the volcano project. Avoid completely filling the basin. Shower drain clogs can happen to anyone at any time. Hey Guys! The best thing you can do is to take care of a clogged shower drain as soon as possible. Addressing the issue now can prevent additional water damage from happening. 2. 3. Hair, soap scum, and an accumulation of small items can cause a clog in no time. After using a plunger, if the drain is still clogged, a chemical or enzymatic cleaner can help. If all else fails, don’t wait any longer to call the plumbers. Rubber Plunger. Copyright 2006-2021 Roto-Rooter. Then, use quick plunging motions to clear the clog. Grasp the plunger handle firmly and quickly pump the plunger up and down 15 to 20 times before pulling the plunger away from the drain. First, you have to remove the shower stopper. There are many ways to unclog shower drain, and in this article, we provide nine effective methods to unclog shower drains and sinks. This stuff is important and will help the plunger properly emit enough force to remove the clog. The process is quite simple. Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoyed this video on how to unclog your tub drain. Now, place the plunger over the drain and fill your shower with a little bit of water so that the bottom of the plunger is covered. Many homeowners reach for the generic drain cleaning products when their shower backs up. Grab a plunger — knowing how to unclog a drain with a plunger could preclude the use of a caustic chemical drain cleaner. ©2020 ACE Home Services. See also: How do I unclog my bathroom drain? Once you have removed the screws, you can gently remove the overflow plate and drain mechanism at the same time. Place the plunger such that it would cover the whole drain hole. How to unclog a shower drain 1. Pump the plunger up and down for about 15-seconds. Many things can result in a clogged drain. Remove the shower drain … Even if it’s an emergency, ACE is here for you for all of your plumbing needs! Our plumbers are experienced and ready to tackle any plumbing problem you may have. To unblock the drain, place the rubber cup over the drain and push down on the handle. Shower drains can easily become clogged over time. All available services, hours of operations, pricing structure, and guarantees may vary by location. Baking Soda and Vinegar You probably have one of these lying around the house already and in some cases it can work on clogged drains as easily as it does on toilets. Remove the plunger and let any excess water drain away. Add enough water to the tub or shower to submerge the end of the plunger’s cup. Below are my eight suggested methods for how to clear a clogged shower drain. Repeat this rhythm at least 15 to 20 times. Inspect the drain to see if you can see any clogs or debris within reach. Shower drains can easily be clogged with hair and other debris, but fortunately, they are among the easiest fixtures to clear using a drain snake.While a normal bathtub drain is usually 1 1/2 inches in diameter, a shower drain is often 2 inches in diameter, making it easier to insert a small drain snake directly into the drain opening and down through the trap, where most clogs are found. If you notice that the water in your shower is not properly draining, then you should immediately try to remove the clog. In most showers, it simply unscrews so that you gain direct access to the drain. Place the plunger cup over the drain to form a tight seal and plunge down once to release the air trapped in the plunger cup. This stuff is important and will help the plunger properly emit enough force to remove the clog. Use a plunger. On a shower drain, remove the strainer in the shower floor and insert the cable into the drain. Before you start plunging, though, cover up the overflow drain. 1. Then, use quick plunging motions to clear the clog. Remove the drain stopper with a screwdriver and check for the cause of the blockage. However, when it comes to a bad clog that needs to be addressed right away, there is nothing like a plunger to get the job done right. Regular plunger use will stop hair build-up, but the best thing you can do to stop hair blockages is simply to remove hair caught in the drain cover after each shower. Pour ¼ cup of baking soda and 1 cup white vinegar into the drain. Pour boiling water into the drain, and if the draining rate still seems slow, you have more digging to do. A cup plunger (a plunger with a wooden handle attached to a rubber cup) will most likely be the best option for the flat-surface drains found in most showers. Step 4: Remove the plunger. Carefully remove the overflow plate by removing the two screws holding it down. The plunger is designed to pressurize the water and force it through the pipe, thereby clearing the clog. Using a plunger is a classic and proven way to unclog your partially or completely clogged drain without using any chemicals. In most cases, a plunger can be very effective, sometimes even when you’re dealing with a stubborn clog. If so, use a pair of pliers, paperclip, or wire hanger to remove the clog. Begin plunging with a forceful upward and downward movement. On a tub drain, remove the overflow plate and insert the cable into the overflow line. 2. Flush with boiling water. All you need is a plunger! The problem will quickly become worse and if nothing else is working, then your local plumbers know what needs to be done to eliminate the clog once and for all. Moisten the outside of the drain or add petroleum jelly around the edge of the rubber cup to improve sealing. ROC LIC 283290, 28686 | Privacy Policy. To use it, place the plunger over the clogged drain and plunge as hard as you can. If you notice that the water is not draining, you may need to plunge again. a flange plunger with an extra ring of rubber around the bottom, fold the extra ring into the cup. Use a plastic glove and flashlight to see and remove hair strands or other minimal particles causing the blockage. If you face slow water, drain out. Repeat this rhythm at least 15 to 20 times. All you need is a regular, rubber plunger. Nobody likes to have standing water gathering around their ankles during their morning shower, but more importantly, drain clogs only become worse over time and can cause serious, costly damage. In order to plunge most effectively, stop up your shower’s overflow opening with a wet rag because it will ensure that the force exerted by the plunger will remain only on the source of the clog. On a sink drain, you may be able to remove the stopper and insert the cable or rod directly into the drain. Clogged drains are a simple fact of life. Before asking a plumber to save the day, here we have some tips on how to clean your shower drain. Pour about a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by an equal amount of vinegar. However, to get the best result, it’s important to use it properly. Cover the drain with the plunger and start pumping up and down. If the water is not draining quickly, plunge again. Remove the plunger every few minutes to see if the blockage cleared and the water drains down naturally. Having issues with the water in your shower not draining; Looking for the best way to unblock a shower drain; Wondering what may be causing the clog in your drain, Then read on! This is the plunger that just has a rubber cup-shaped end on it rather than an extended, more complex flange (that type is a toilet plunger). Grab the Toilet Plunger. A plunger will force pressurized water in both directions, which will help to effectively loosen whatever is clogging your shower drain. 3. For shower drain clogs, you’re going to want to use a classic cup plunger. Unlike with the technique with the boiling water, this time you DO want there to be water in the drain. Fortunately, we have a way that can help you save money and remove the clog in your drain without having to hire professional. Fill the shower with a small amount of water, just enough to cover the bottom of the plunger. Remove the shower drain cover. To schedule a service call my Washing Machine, to get the best thing you can do is take. Edge of the drain stopper and use a plunger, it simply unscrews so that you would having..., remove the stopper and use a plastic glove and flashlight to see if you that. Pick up the plunger over the drain, remove the cover on how to unclog a drain. To plunge again care of a clogged shower drain with baking soda and,... 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