When your shower drain gets blocked, you’re likely going to be left with a certain amount of standing water. This means you’ll need to learn how to unblock a shower drain with standing water – which can be tricky!
We asked our professional deep cleaners how to deal with blocked shower drains, and here’s their expert advice.
Manually Unblocking a Shower Drain with Standing Water
If you’re not sure how to unblock a shower drain with standing water, then don’t worry! We’ll show you how.
Standing water can be a little bit gross, so you’re probably going to want to pop on some dishwashing gloves to protect your hands!
If you can, remove any visible gunk that might be clogging the entrance of the drain.
Then, try boiling a pot of water and carefully pouring it down the drain. This can help melt oils and butters that might have solidified.
You could also use a plunger that’s specifically designed for drains – not the same one you use for a toilet! By covering the drain with a plunger and pumping up and down, this creates a pressure and suction that can help break up the clog.
If you think something might be blocked further down in the drain, you could use a straightened-out wire hanger or a drain snake to get deeper into the pipes.
Natural Remedies for a Clogged Drain: The Power of Baking Soda and Vinegar
If you’ve tried manually clearing the drain and you’re not keen on trying a chemical solution, there are many DIY methods for unclogging shower drains.
How to Unclog a Shower Drain with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are used in many DIY cleaning hacks, and shower drains are no exception!
So, here’s how you would use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a shower drain:
- Remove any visible debris from the opening of the drain, using your (gloved) hands or tweezers.
- Pour half a cup of dry baking soda down the drain, making sure it goes as far down as possible.
- Follow this with half a cup of white vinegar.
- Put a cloth, rag, or drain cover over the top to contain the chemical reaction. You want it to fizz and react deep inside the drain, not to bubbler over the top into your shower floor!
- Allow the mixture to sit in the drain for about 15-30 minutes, then flush with a pot of boiled water.
- Run water down the drain to see if the water is flowing smoothly – you may need to repeat the process a few times for it to be most effective.
Preventive Measures: Routine Checks to Avoid Shower Drain Clogs and Standing Water
The best offence is a great defence – and the same goes for clogged shower drains! Cleaning your shower and shower head on a regular basis is the best way to prevent clogs, as it removes any build-up before it has time to accumulate.
Here’s to avoid your shower drains from clogging in the first place.
What Causes Clogged Shower Drains?
To prevent your shower drain from clogging, it’s important to understand what causes blockages in the first place.
Hair is one of the worst offenders, and can become tangled quite deeply down in the pipes.
Soap residue can become mixed with minerals in the water to create a sticky substance known as soap scum which traps other debris.
Dirt and oils from your body will also create a sludgy build up, as will minerals like calcium and magnesium that naturally accumulate in water.
Another common culprit is residue from your shower products, especially heavy body washes, shampoos, and conditioners. Thick oils and butters can solidify further down in the drains and cause tough blockages.
How to Avoid Blocked Shower Drains with Standing Water
To stop your pipes and drains from becoming blocked, it’s important to use a drain cover.
This is typically a small piece of mesh or silicone with holes in it, that traps hair and soap scum before they travel down the drain.
It will also catch pieces of jewellery before they get flushed down, which is handy!
Keep reading: How to clean shower glass properly?
When DIY Fails: When to Call in Professional Help
If your clogged shower drain is particularly stubborn, it might be time to call in a professional plumber.
You should enlist professional help if:
- Your shower drain is consistently getting clogged and keeps coming back
- The water is slow to drain
- Foul odours are coming up from the drain
- Multiple pipes and drains in your home are clogged
- Water is coming back up the drain and causing backflow
- You lack the tools or expertise to clear the clog yourself!
Luckily, Wecasa can connect you with local professional cleaners who are experts in cases like these.
They’ve seen many clogged drains in their time, and can help get your shower clean and draining properly in no time.
So if your shower drain is a bit icky and you don’t fancy rolling your sleeves up, book a Wecasa pro today!
