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How to unclog a shower drain hair


How to Unclog Hair From the Shower Drain

We’ve all taken a shower that slowly turned into a bath as the water rose past our ankles. It’s time to unclog hair from the drain, here’s how to do it easily.

It’s happened to all of us before. You step into the shower, get the water going, and then feel the water climbing up your ankles. You’ve got a clogged drain, and you’re going to need to deal with it.

There’s more than one way to unclog hair from the drain. If you want to avoid a plumbing emergency, keep reading to explore your options.

How to Unclog Hair From the Drain

Nobody wants to unclog hair from the drain.

Some people find themselves physically unable to — they gag at the sight of all that mangled-up hair between their fingers as they lift it from the drain. If you’re the type that hates to unclog the shower drain, maybe one of these methods will work for you.

Use Boiling Water

This method is fantastic for people who don’t want to put their fingers near all that hair.

All you have to do is boil a pot of water on the stove, then pour that water down the drain. You can use a funnel or a pouring cup to make this easier. Pour it down the drain at a steady pace, wait a few seconds, then test out your shower.

The boiling water can loosen up the soap and grease holding the hair in place, allowing it to flush down properly.

Try Baking Soda & Vinegar

If you’re looking for a natural way to clean out your drain, try this classic trick.

First, pour a cup of baking soda right into the drain. Wait a couple minutes, then pour a cup of vinegar down there. Let this mixture sit in the drain for a few hours as it works its magic.

After a few hours, the mixture should dissolve the clogged hair. To finish off the process, boil a big pot of water and pour it into the drain. This will clear out all the hair, vinegar, and baking soda.

Use Your Hand

Yes, it can be gross, but this is also one of the most effective methods of clearing a hair-clogged drain.

All you need to do is take off the drain cover, reach inside the drain, and pull out the hair. Try and pick up a good clumped-up part so you get the whole hair clog in one. You can wear a thin glove while you do this, or if you’re brave, go in bare. Try using a flashlight to spot the hair if it’s not easily visible.

It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it. This is definitely the fastest method of cleaning out a clog.

Get a Hook

Closely related to the hand method is the hook method.

This, of course, involves using a hook of sorts to fish the hair out of the drain. You can fashion a hook out of a thin piece of wire, like a coat hanger. From there, the rest is pretty self-explanatory.

Just fish the wire into the drain, try to hook the hair, and pull it up. Pull it up slowly if you can to avoid the hair breaking off and falling back into the drain. Use the thinnest hook you can manage to fashion, but make sure that material is sturdy so the hook doesn’t bend or break.

Some drain-cleaning chemicals include a hook-like device exactly for this purpose. If you prefer, seek out one of these.

Pour Some Chemicals Down There

It’s always nice when you can use a natural method rather than a chemical one. Unfortunately, some clogs are just too powerful.

If you’ve tried all the other methods with no success, it’s time to visit the store. Seek out a chemical made specifically for unclogging drains. The package will usually say whether or not it takes care of clogs, including hair in drains.

Follow the packaging directions exactly and apply the chemical as needed. Always wear your PPE, like gloves, goggles, and old clothes. Never mix chemicals, as you could create a potentially deadly substance.

Pour the chemicals down the drain, follow the directions, and unclog your drain. It’s that simple.

We do emphasize, however, using this as a last resort. Drain chemicals can damage your pipes in some cases, especially with repeated use. Always try other methods before busting out the chemicals.

Break Out the Plunger

If you have a larger sized drain, a plunger might be the secret weapon you need. This is especially effective for deep clogs.

Fill your shower with a little water, allowing the plunger to be submerged. This helps it get suction. You can also add a little petroleum jelly around the edge of the plunger to assist it.

Once it’s stuck to the drain, start plunging. Plunge vigorously until the hair is removed. It’s worth noting that this isn’t always the most effective method, but it’s worth a shot if nothing else is working.

Call a Professional

Sometimes, a clog just can’t be handled with regular methods. In these cases, it’s time to call a professional.

Get on the phone with a trusted plumber and ask for their recommendation. They may be able to give you some tips to try or might set an appointment to come check it out. Now all you need to do is sit back and wait for the cavalry to arrive.

Say Goodbye to Clogs

There are a lot more ways to unclog hair from the drain than many ever consider. If you have a stubborn clog in your shower drain that won’t go away, try one of the methods above. You might just find your new favorite way to get things flowing again.

Call Eyman at (402) 731-2727 today to schedule a plumbing or HVAC service in Nebraska.

How to Unclog a Shower Drain in 5 Easy Ways | Home Matters

If you find yourself standing in water while trying to take a relaxing shower, you may have a clog in your shower drain that is keeping the water from exiting properly. Hair is the biggest enemy of the shower drain, so the chances are good that it could be the root of your problem. Before you call a plumber to save the day, here are some of the best ways to unclog the shower drain yourself.

Clogged Shower Drain? Need a Plumber Now? Book a qualified, local home repair Pro with American Home Shield ProConnect in just a few clicks. Click here to book now. *Available in most major markets. Services vary by market.

There are several ways to unclog a shower drain, but before you get started, you’ll need to remove the drain screen or stopper to gain access to the drain. Usually, a screwdriver is all that’s required to dismantle the screen, stopper, or cover. Sometimes a hair clog will come up with the screen or stopper, and the problem is solved.

If that doesn't do the trick, look down the drain to see if you can find what’s causing the problem. Turn on an overhead light or use a flashlight to inspect the drain. Once you've found the culprit, use one of these five home remedies to unclog the shower drain.

The Best Tools to Unclog the Shower Drain

1. Your Fingers

If you see a hair clog, reach in with your fingers to pull it out. Feel free to put some kitchen gloves on first. It’s going to be a little slimy from the soap and shampoo buildup! If you can’t reach it or don’t have gloves on hand, try using a straightened wire coat hanger with a bent tip to catch and unclog shower drain hair.

2. Plunger

You can also try to use a toilet plunger to unclog the shower drain or at least move the blockage closer to the surface where you may be able to reach it. It may take a few minutes of constant plunging to get results.

3. Plumbing snake

A plumbing snake can also do the trick to unclog the shower drain. This tool can be purchased or rented at hardware or home improvement stores, and it is also handy for fixing toilet clogs.

4. Natural ingredients

If you think your clog might be caused by hair or other organic matter, try to unclog the shower drain with baking soda and vinegar. Go to the kitchen, grab some vinegar and baking soda, and heat a kettle of water. Pour about a cup of baking soda down the shower drain, followed by an equal amount of vinegar. Let the solution bubble and foam for a few minutes, and then follow with the kettle full of hot (but not boiling) water. Let the mixture sit for a couple of hours. If the drain still isn’t flowing freely, repeat the process. If you don’t have any vinegar, you can also try equal amounts of salt and baking soda, followed by hot (but not boiling) water.

5. Wet/dry shop vacuum

Try a wet/dry shop vacuum, which is one of the best ways to unclog a shower drain. These types of vacuums can suck up liquids as well as dry debris and can act as a powerful plunger for your drainage issues. Set the machine for vacuuming liquids, and make sure the appropriate liquid filter is on. Place the hose over the drain before you turn it on. The suction from the wet/dry vacuum should work its magic and bring the hair or other blockage to the top of the drain.

Performing DIY unclogging of shower drains is never a fun task. To avoid shower drain clogs, always run hot water down the drain at the end of each use. If your drain does not have a good screen or cover, you can purchase plastic or metal ones at most hardware and home improvement stores or in the household goods section of many grocery stores. Taking good care of your home’s plumbing can help save you time, money, and frustration.

For coverage of your home plumbing system’s everyday wear and tear, turn to American Home Shield’s® home warranty plans. Explore our pricing and plans to determine which one makes the most sense for your home and budget. The great news is that each of our plans includes plumbing coverage, so you’ll be all set.

For more plumbing tips beyond how to unclog a shower drain, check out how to do DIY shower and bathtub repair how to clean the showerhead.

How and with what to clean the drain in the bathroom from hair: mechanical and chemical methods

Content:

Bathroom clogs are definitely not a pleasant sight: cleaning the bathroom drain from hair can be quite problematic due to accumulated water and a terrible sewer smell. There are some quick cleaning tricks, but resource mschistota.ru recommends not to bring the drain to a blockage, but to resort to preventive measures.

Drain cleaning easy

The drain hole of the bathtub is most often clogged with human hair: it tangles ugly and interferes with the passage of water. The bundle gradually collects other small debris: pet hair, threads, pieces of soap, etc. If such a blockage is not eliminated, an unpleasant odor will appear. Most often, the problem of hair accumulation worries the owners of a bath with a cross drain plug.

There are other causes of frequent blockages besides neglecting to clean plumbing: this is the abundance of drained debris and problems in the sewer system itself. Try to control the amount of debris that gets into the tub. Entrust plumbing repairs and replacements to professionals.

Hair clogs in bathtub drains can be removed mechanically and chemically. Let's start with cleaning with various objects.

Plunger

Vantuz - the first assistant in case of blockages in plumbing. This object with a rounded rubber nozzle breaks through the blockage in the pipe through pressure.

How to properly clean a bathtub with a plunger:

  1. Position the rubber nozzle so that it completely covers the drain hole.
  2. Fill the bathtub with a little water to cover the rubber pad.
  3. Push down on the plunger handle and lift it sharply to push through the blockage. Sometimes it takes a few minutes to work. For convenience, choose plungers with a long handle.

Tip
The plunger can be used not only when the drain is extremely clogged. Periodically draw water into the container and clean it.

Rope

Plumbing cable - a savior in the most difficult situations. This is a long thin metal object with a convenient handle for rotation.

How to get rid of hair in the pipe with a rope:

  1. Insert the object into the pipe and carefully push it as far as possible.
  2. Turn the knob.
  3. As soon as the resistance becomes noticeably weaker, move the cable back and forth. When the blockage breaks through, remove the cable and turn on a strong pressure of water to finally push the debris into the sewer.

Important
Be careful when mechanically cleaning the drain, especially if the pipes are plastic.

Remove manually

If there is not much hair, it is easy to reach it with your hands. It is advisable to do this after each use of the bath. A more tenacious tool is a knitting or hard wire bent hook with a fairly long handle. In any case, use protective rubber gloves to avoid touching the dirt.

From time to time it is worth opening the siphon itself and cleaning it from the inside, especially if an unpleasant smell enters the room from the sewerage.

How to remove the siphon and clean it:

  1. First, place a piece of cloth directly under the siphon to absorb moisture and place a bucket underneath. Protect the floor from dirt.
  2. Slowly unscrew the lock nut, then remove the flask.
  3. The water for the water seal from the opened siphon will immediately pour into the bucket, and some of the debris will fall out there.
  4. Check with a hand or a hook that a large lump of dirt is not stuck in the body of the siphon (reluctant to come out, for example, toothpicks stuck across).
  5. Clean the siphon with a cloth and detergent. Try to clean it from plaque.
  6. Reassemble the siphon in reverse order, check the tightness by turning on the water.
  7. The siphon is also recommended to be opened and cleaned for preventive purposes, without waiting for the pipe to become clogged. It is enough to do this once every 2-4 months, depending on the number of people in the family.

Sometimes removing the flask is not enough. If a lump of dirt (from rust, feces of pets and babies, etc.) has grown in the pipes, you have to disconnect the siphon from the overflow and drain, clean the pipes with a hook or cable, wipe with a ruff or napkin. After that, having assembled the structure back, it is necessary to carry out dry cleaning. Such problems are especially typical for old corrugated pipes older than 10 years.

A tricky way to quickly clean a pipe without taking it apart:

  1. Unscrew the drain cap.
  2. Cut a long strip of wide tape.
  3. Insert the tape into the drain hole and run it along the walls.
  4. Hair and other debris will stick to tape.
  5. Repeat the procedure a couple of times to collect as much debris as possible.
  6. Complete the procedure by flushing the pipe with water.

How to remove a blockage

Unlike solid objects (jewellery, toys and their parts, toothpicks or cotton swabs, etc.), hair can be dissolved in the bathroom drain. For this, both industrial and some folk remedies are suitable.

Industrial product

A lot of products are produced for blockages, but it is better to choose one that says "dissolves hair and wool. " Also read the instructions: not all chemicals are suitable for use in a certain type of sewer pipe. For example, aggressive "Mole" is not recommended for plastic.

Cleaners are liquid (gels) and dry (powders). The latter type is combined with a small amount of water, and usually it shows more efficiency.

Advice
Never overexpose the agent, fill it strictly for the time indicated in the instructions, otherwise the pipes may deform and have to be replaced. Also, do not rush to wash it off, let the chemistry work, and after washing off, do not use the bathroom for a while so that the product cleans the far sections of the pipe.

Remember to wear protective gloves and ventilate the bathroom after using chemicals.

Soda and vinegar

If you don't have time to run to the hardware store for professional products, use what is always at hand. Ordinary soda and vinegar do an excellent job with various dirt and blockages.

How to remove the blockage with the folk method:

  1. If there is water in the bathroom that does not go through the pipe, drain it.
  2. Now pour about half a pack of baking soda down the drain.
  3. Turn on the hot water tap after a couple of minutes. The soda will sizzle and go deeper into the pipe.
  4. Instead of water, you can pour a glass of table vinegar. A violent reaction will begin, which will clear the blockage. After the hissing stops, turn on the hot water.

Tip
Manufacturers of chemical pipe cleaners recommend using them as a preventive measure every 1-2 months.

Tip from Miss Clean magazine: Consider why the drain gets clogged with hair quickly. Check your health if your hair is shedding a lot. Also, when washing your hair, do not scrub the skin, do not pull out the hair, use mild shampoos and conditioners.

How to prevent hair from getting in

Preventing hair from clogging the drain is the main task of the hostess. The first measure of protection is to install a mesh over the drain, which will hold the hair and prevent it from entering the pipe. A special device for trapping and removing hair, which is sold as a set with siphons, will also help keep the bathtub clean.

Preventive measures include the already mentioned plunger and gels/powders for dissolving debris. But do not abuse the means so as not to damage the pipes.

Cleanliness of the bath is in your hands. Do not ignore the first signs of blockage: it will be more comfortable for you to take water procedures in a clean bath with a quick removal of used water.

How to clean the drain hole in the bathroom from hair: tvin270584 — LiveJournal

The problem of cleaning the drain hole in the bathroom of hair occurs in every home. If the water began to drain slowly, then there is reason to believe that the pipeline is clogged. And since, most often, the drain hole is clogged with long female hair, in the article , the master plumber will tell you how to clear it of them.


Cleaning the drain hole

Causes of clogs in the drain hole , in addition to natural hair, are small litter, pellets from clothes, pet hair. Accumulating in the drain hole, they form a lump that prevents water from passing through the sewer pipe. A lump of dirt and litter does not allow water to flow freely from the bathroom, collect further debris on itself, and, as a result, cause a foul-smelling blockage. So, let's act.

Remove the drain cap and clean out the debris underneath. Initially, before removing the cover, it may seem to you that everything is clean there. But visual inspection is deceiving. A huge amount of hair accumulates under the drain cover. This is especially true for drain holes with a cross plug. There are baths in which plugs are pre-installed. For this type of bath, before cleaning the drain hole in the bath, you need to lift the plug and unscrew the guide plate. Only after that you remove the cork.

For deeper hair clogging, choose any of the following methods:

Please note! Before using chemicals to clean the drain, read the product information carefully. So, one of the effective means for eliminating blockage "Mole" cannot be used to clean plastic pipes

Pour or pour the drain and sewer pipe cleaner into the drain hole and leave for the time specified in the instructions, and then rinse with running water. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is impossible to leave the product in the drain for less or more than the time specified in the instructions. In the first case, the action of household chemicals will be ineffective, in the second, there is a danger of deformation of the material from which the pipes are made.

Also, when working with chemicals, you should follow the safety rules. Work with chemicals should only be done with gloves.

Sometimes a hair clog problem can run deeper than the drain.

How to clean siphon under the bathtub :

Bathroom Drain Clog Prevention

As you can see, cleaning a bathroom drain from hair is easy.

Learn more