There’s nothing more enjoyable than a long, hot shower. But have you ever had your shower ruined by a blocked shower drain in your Sydney home? Looking down to find your feet soaking in murky drain water can leave you feeling unclean and annoyed. This post looks as the main causes of clogged shower drains and also some tips on how to clean shower drain.
What causes blocked shower drains?
Hair is the main cause of blocked shower drains. According to trichologist Anabel Kingsley, the average person loses between 60 to 100 hairs a day. This number increases when you lather it up with shampoo and conditioner in the shower. Most homeowners don’t realise the sheer volume of hair that falls out over time and ends up in the drain - leading to a clogged shower drain.
There is a common misconception that long hair is the only type of hair that causes blocked drains Sydney, but this simply isn’t the case. Short hair, including body hair and even pet hair all play a part in blocked drains. When hair mixes with oily deposits from our bodies, soap and other debris that makes it’s way down the drain it can get snagged. This snag then creates a trap where even more debris can get trapped, leading to an even larger clog.
How to unblock a shower drain
Once drainage problems begin, they will only get worse unless action is taken to fix the drain blockage. Luckily it’s relatively simple to learn how to clean a shower drain. It’s always better to physically remove the clog rather than attempting to dissolve it using harsh chemicals - it’s faster, more effective and better for your health and the environment. Drain cleaning chemicals are extremely strong and there is a risk of damaging your pipes.
Here are some things to try to unblock the shower drain before calling a local plumber in Sydney.
Pour boiling water down the shower drain. This can help dissolve any soap scum in the pipes.
Try using a plunger - click here for tips
Use baking soda and vinegar (this is a great natural alternative to chemicals)
If the hair is sitting near the surface, you can take the drain cover off and pull out the clog by hand.
For hair that is further down the line, try using hook made out of a metal coat hanger.
A note of warning to anyone brave enough to tackle the issue themselves - the big slimy clump of hair you pull out of the clogged shower drain will likely be one of the most disgusting things you’ll ever lay eyes on. Be prepared for a nasty smell.
How to prevent clogged shower drains
There are a number of ways you can prevent blocked shower drains from occurring. One of the cheapest, easiest and best prevention methods is to install a shower drain cover. All drains should have covers, but you can go one step further by installing a “hair guard” that can be bought at most hardware stores for under $10. Shower drain covers and hair guards allow the water to flow freely down the drain while catching hair and sediment.
Switching to a liquid soap rather than a bar of soap can also help prevent clogged shower drains as it’s less likely that large chunks will make their way into the drain.
Large clump of hair cleaned from a blocked shower drain. Photo Credit: Sheila Venezia
Need a local plumber in Sydney to unblock a shower drain?
If you’re not having any luck with the DIY methods, or you’d prefer someone else to deal with the mess, JAB Plumbing Solutions are a team of local plumbers in Sydney ad we are well equiped to fix all types of drain blockages. Out drainage plumbers specialise exclusively in blocked drains, so one thing we know how to do is unblock a shower drain quickly and safely. Our highly trained team carry the latest drain cleaning tools, including jet blasters and plumbing cameras.
We offer up front prices so you won’t be surprised with hidden fees and all our work is guaranteed. Give our local plumber in Sydney a call now on 1800 225 552.
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