There’s no better way to start your day than with a refreshing shower. If there’s one thing that can quickly turn your morning routine from pleasant to uncomfortable, it’s watching a pool of water slowly rise around your ankles. That’s when it hits you — your shower drain is clogged. If this sounds all too familiar or like a situation you would like to avoid completely, read on to learn how to avoid a clogged shower drain and how to fix it if it’s already clogged.
What Causes a Clogged Shower Drain?
When the water from your shower drains slowly or doesn’t drain at all, this is called standing water. A shower full of standing water is a clear sign that your drain is clogged. This can happen for a couple of different reasons.
The most common cause of a clog is built up shampoo, soap and hair. Long hair, in particular, can get easily tangled in drains. Soap also makes hair more likely to stick. Each time you shower, this build-up of hair and soap grows until you’ve got a clogged drain.
More seriously, a clogged drain could be the result of a small to major obstruction in your main sewer line. If this is the case, it’s important you get this taken care of as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your home.
How to Avoid a Clogged Shower Drain
The best way to prevent a clogged shower drain is to avoid it altogether. Follow these simple tips to help keep your shower drain free and clear of any clogs.
Buy a Drain Cover
A very simple solution to help avoid a clogged shower drain is to buy a drain cover. These are inexpensive covers that catch hair and other bits of debris that shouldn’t go down your drain. Be sure to clean them regularly so that soap scum doesn’t build up and cause standing water.
Zero Oils and Grease
If for some reason you’ve been pouring cooking oil and grease down your shower drain, stop immediately. These are two of the worst things you could be putting down your sink and will lead to blocked pipes and expensive repairs over time. While there are many ways to dispose of grease and oil, down the drain should never be one of them.
Certain types of body wash can contain oils that will contribute to clogging your drains. If you have an issue with keeping your drains clear, look at the ingredients of your products and consider switching if they contain heavy oils.
Hot Water Rinse
While saving water is something we should all be considerate of, letting your shower run for a minute after you’ve stepped out can help keep your drain clear. While not necessary every time, doing this once in a while can be beneficial as the hot water will help to wash away soap scum that’s trying to build up.
Issues Caused by a Clogged Shower Drain
Aside from standing water being an unpleasant feeling while showering, there are other issues that can arise from a clogged shower drain. A foul odour coming from your drain is a further sign of a clogged drain. The smell could also be coming from debris further down in your pipes.
When left unattended, a serious blockage can result in leaks, mold growth and even your bathroom flooding. If there are slight cracks in your grout or caulking, standing water may seep in and cause even more serious damage.
If you find your shower drain is constantly becoming clogged or requires repairs, this could be due to a more serious blockage in your main sewer line. Have a pro assess the situation if you’re noticing more frequent clogs.
How to Fix a Clogged Shower Drain
Depending on the severity of your clogged drain, you can attempt to solve it yourself with some household items or store-bought items. However, when it comes to plumbing, we always recommend consulting a pro. Plumbing is integral to your home and is also quite complicated. You do not want to accidentally flood your house because you were attempting to fix your clogged drain. When in doubt, hire a pro to solve your problem for you.
With proper maintenance, there’s no reason a clogged drain should ruin your morning shower ever again. Of course, even with perfect prevention, things can still go wrong. If you’re in need of a plumber’s help, be sure to get multiple quotes on HomeStars for whatever you need help with around the house. From clogged drains to blocked pipes, there’s a pro for you.
