Do Plumbers Unblock Blocked Showers?

What Causes Blocked Showers?

Common causes of a blocked shower drain include:

• Hair - As hair washes down drain, it can get ensnared and intertwine, forming a clog.
• Soap scum - Fats and oils in soap accumulate on pipe interiors, narrowing the drainage pathway.
• Dirt and debris - Small particles of dirt, sand, and other debris can build up in small drain pipes.
• Mineral build-up - Hard water deposits containing calcium, magnesium and other minerals can slowly restrict water flow.

These impediments build up over time, eventually blocking water flow and resulting in a blocked drain.

Despite efforts to clear blocked shower drains, they are often outmatched by long hair, the most common culprit, that easily snags in narrow pipes. Over time, entangled hair combines with soap scum and hard water minerals to create tough blockages.

As fragments gather in your pipes, water struggles to flow down out your shower drains, eventually backing up. Encountering a partial blockage, any your feet submerged, a clear indicator that you’re facing a potentially obstructed drain. A severe blockage, often due to hair clogs, which can halt water drainage completely, consequently renders your shower unusable.

Identifying a Blocked Shower

There are a few key signs that indicate your shower drain is blocked:

• Water pooling around your feet on the shower floor, not draining properly, is a clear sign of a blocked shower. Upon removing the drain cover, you often find a clog compound of hair and debris obstructing the drain.
• Gurgling sounds emerge from down shower drain when water goes down, signalling a partial blockage.
• An overflowing shower suggests the shower drain can no longer manage the water flow, leading to water logging.
• A foul, sewage-like odour emanates from the drain.
• If the water takes unusually long to drain after you’ve turned off the shower, this suggests a clog is present.

A drain inspection specifically about blocked drains can mitigate future maintenance woes, saving time, money, and much frustration. So keep an eye out for slow drainage, dirty standing water or any gurgling sounds suggesting issues. Should your blocked drains become a troublesome repetitive issue, don’t hesitate to give us a call for a comprehensive inspection and solution.

If you notice these signs, it’s wise to try DIY cleaning methods to unclog the shower drain first.

DIY Techniques for Unblocking Showers

Before calling a professional, try these DIY methods to unblock shower drain unclog shower drain blockages:

Boiling Water

Hot water down the drain combined with vinegar baking soda is an excellent first-line remedy that can help dissolve built-up hair, soap residue, and other problematic materials. For a more potent cleaning effect, pour cup baking soda down the drain followed by a dash of white vinegar before finishing by pouring boiling water down.

The heat helps dislodge build-up in a clogged drain, causing instant fizzing as it cleanses the pipes. Repeat if necessary.

Plunger

Use a cup plunger or a makeshift hook to clear shower drains. Ensure a tight seal over the drain cover, then plunge forcefully to dislodge clogs. Begin gently to confirm the seal before intensifying the effort.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Mix equal parts of baking soda and vinegar in a cup to create a bubbling mixture. Carefully pour the solution down the drain to clear blockages.

This dynamic concoction starts to fizz almost instantly, releasing a robust reaction that effectively breaks up drain blockages and allows you to dump the cleaning agent right away. Then, almost instantly dump the mixture down drain of hot water to rinse away any residues left within.

Snaking the Drain

Use a straightened coat hanger or a flexible drain snake to manually remove clogs. With the drain cover removed, carefully navigate the snake through the pipes to extract stubborn clogs while avoiding pipe damage.

For minor issues, these simple methods can resolve blocked shower drains. However, if you face persistent blockages, extensive backups, or strong odours, it’s time to consider professional assistance. Our skilled plumbers are equipped with advanced tools to tackle all plumbing challenges.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

When a blocked shower drain is too much for DIY methods, it’s essential to know when to call in the professionals. Erskine Park Plumbing is equipped with advanced tools and expertise to handle severe or chronic clogs beyond your scope.

Call Us If:

• If the home remedy should clear the blockage but doesn’t work, such as using boiling water, plungers, or chemical cleaners, and the drain remains closed
• You have a complete clog with no water drainage and substantial backup
• Clogs reoccur regularly even after attempting to clear them
• You notice foul sewage odours coming from the shower drain
• The pipes make gurgling sounds, suggesting advanced obstructions

Discovering how to utilise cctv drain camera technology to unclog a shower drain is made effortless by our technicians wielding sophisticated equipment to meticulously inspect and displace stubborn clogs with precision. We can snake pipes, deploy a jet blaster to clear blockages at high pressure, employ camera inspections and more.

For serious shower drain issues with water pooling, overflowing, foul odours or slow water flow, call Erskine Park Plumbing at 1300 349 338 or email [email protected] to request an appointment.

We even undertake pipe relining and repairs when your pipes are compromised by severe obstructions such as invasive tree roots, effectively addressing blocked drain concerns. Place your confidence in us to reinstate efficient water flow and drainage to the showers in your home, forestalling forthcoming complications.

Preventing Future Blocked Showers

To preemptively unclog your shower and avert future blockages, adopt these straightforward maintenance tips:

Install a Drain Cover

You can do your part by placing a hair-capturing cover atop your shower drain to trap hair and debris before they enter the plumbing system, ready for an inspection camera if needed. Get your shower routinely checked by maintaining the hair catcher regularly by simply removing and throwing away accumulated grime.

Regular Drain Cleaning

To prevent clogs, pour a monthly mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain to maintain clear pipes. This mixture gently dissolves organic residue without using harsh chemicals.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Choose effective yet gentle methods to ensure your drainage system’s integrity is preserved. Caustic ingredients may damage your pipes rather than safely clear them.

Take Quick Showers

Reducing shower durations minimises moisture and soap scum build-up, lessening the risk of blockages. Consider installing a water-saving showerhead for more efficient showers.

Wipe Down Surfaces

After each use of your plumbing fixtures, use a squeegee on glass doors and tiles to wipe pooled moisture away before it evaporates and leaves soap scum residue.

Prevent small clogs from escalating by incorporating these simple, preventive measures into your routine. For persistent problems, don’t hesitate to contact our Erskine Park plumbers for expert drain servicing and repairs.