How to Unclog a Shower Drain without Tools

Homeowners in Benfleet and North London often struggle with blocked shower drains, which is why they often contact emergency plumbers in these areas for help. These clogs are hard to avoid, as residue from bath products and body hair can stick in the drain after a while. But it is possible to clear clogs from shower drains without using tools. Here are a few ideas to consider on how to unclog a shower drain without any tools.

Check the Shower First

Check that all the soapy water in your shower has cleared before you start unclogging your shower drain. You’ll need to clear that water to ensure your effort to clear the drain clog works.

How Can Boiling Water Help?

You can apply boiling water to the clog to dissolve many soft buildups around the drain. Boiling water can help soften and weaken soap scum and other things, making it easier for the clog to clear.

You may need to add a few cups of boiling water two or three times before you see results. This process is also intended to work at the start, as the water will not clear the entire clog but weaken much of it.

Also, do not use boiling water if your shower drain has PVC pipes, as the joints could loosen. The process is safe for metal pipes that an emergency plumber in Benfleet or North London might regularly service.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Works

You can also use baking soda and vinegar to clean your shower drain. These common household ingredients will produce a chemical reaction that breaks up hair and other items. The simple design of these items and the fact they’re easily accessible make them popular for resolving blocked drains in North London and Benfleet.

Be sure to use about 1/3 cup of baking soda with 1/3 cup of vinegar and wait for the mixture to start fizzing. Use a one-cup measuring cup to account for how the solution will start rising as it fizzes. You can pour the solution down the drain as it starts fizzing.

Allow the mix to rest in the drain for about an hour, but try keeping it in overnight to let it dissolve more of the buildup. You can use a rubber stopper over the drain if you have one to keep the chemical reaction working inside the drain. You can then turn on the hot water in the shower to help get the mixture to move through the pipes.

What about Household Objects?

You could consider other items in your home to unclog a shower drain if you don’t have the tools a plumber might have on hand. You can use a plunger, but it may not produce enough force to enter the deepest parts of your drain. A wire hanger could also help, but it might scrape the inside parts of the pipes and cause damage. Using hot water or baking soda and vinegar would be a more prudent option for managing a clog.

A Final Word about Chemicals

The last point to see involves the use of chemical cleaners to clear blocked drains. While you could use a chemical compound that can dissolve a clog, the chemicals in these products can harm your drainage pipes by corroding their surfaces. Some chemical cleaners can also produce toxic fumes that might be harmful if inhaled.

Photo by Seth Doyle on Unsplash