Introduction to blocked shower drains
A blocked shower drain frequently disrupts daily routines. Penrith Plumbing is renowned across Sydney for effectively resolving such issues, helping residents enjoy continuous water usage.
This guide covers the main causes of blocked shower drains, including food scraps, blockage warning signs, DIY solutions with household items, and when to seek professional help from Penrith Plumbing.
From debris to toilet paper, soap residues, hard water mineral deposits, and tree roots, various elements can accumulate in pipes over time. Without prompt action, these clogs can lead to a blocked shower drain, resulting in standing water. Early obstruction removal is key to preventing full blockages.
We explain easy methods including vinegar and baking soda, hot water, plunging, and drain cleaners to restore water flow in clogged drains. However, when household measures don’t allow water seep into the pipes effectively due to stubborn blockages, our licensed Penrith plumbers are ready to thoroughly inspect and clear your drain.
Contacting Penrith Plumbing quickly can prevent small clogs from becoming major issues, ensuring your shower returns to full functionality.
Common causes of blocked shower drains
Hair Buildup
An accumulation of hair is often the crux of your plumbing blockages, leading to the formation of hair clogs, particularly in shower drains. As hair washes down the drain, collecting in your plumbing, it can catch on imperfections and ultimately cause blocked shower woes. Over time, more loose hairs can join the initial snag within your drains, culminating in a substantial clog.
The average person sheds 50-100 hair strands daily, potentially causing small drain blockages. For individuals with longer strands, the entanglements slide down the drain, quite possibly binding with whatever’s causing the blockage.
Soap Scum
Regularly combining a third cup of baking soda with hot water helps tackle the buildup of hair and debris in your drains, addressing drainage issues before they escalate. Directing baking soda down drain pathways, especially when it’s mixed properly, mingling with the collection of hair, skin, soap, and shampoo fats, can help address unwanted blockages.
Preventative measures you can do in your drain plumbing, like inserting a hair catcher, and regularly clearing built-up gunk, facilitate free movement down the drain passages. Tackling minor obstructions early can prevent them from becoming substantial blockages. Signs of blockage like water pooling, odd gurgling sounds, slow drainage, or strange smells suggest it’s time to act.
DIY methods to clear minor blockages
Using a Plunger
One of the simplest DIY methods for clearing minor blockages is using a plunger. This everyday household tool can muster more than enough suction to shift debris, turning a clogged drain into a smooth passage.
To resolve a blocked shower using a plunger:
- Begin the how unclog shower drain process by sealing off the overflow to stabilise the water level using a wet cloth or towel.
- Position the plunger over the drain and pour water to cover the plunger’s cup.
- Vigorously pump the plunger at least 15 times, applying pressure to clear the blockage.
- Detach the plunger and inspect the fabric to see clog removal progress and determine if your efforts managed to unblock shower drain blockages.
- Repeat the process if necessary to restore free water flow through the shower drain.
For hygiene reassurance when unclogging your shower drain, wear rubber gloves to avoid direct contact with grime and germs. If you need support, give us a call.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Treatment
A common fix involves using the white vinegar and baking soda reaction to target organic blockages like soap scum and hair. The chemical reaction begins to fizz almost instantly upon contact, producing bubbles capable of helping dislodge clogs.
To clear your drains using this method:
- Take the drain cover off, and use hook fashioned from a wire coat hanger, fishing down your drain to remove hair or residue.
- Carefully dispense a baking soda vice third of a cup down the drain, making certain it clings to the inner surfaces of the pipe.
- Pour a cup of white vinegar into the drain, ensuring it reacts with the baking soda.
- Pour the reactive solution down the drain, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with hot water.
- Follow with boiling water for a thorough clean. If drainage remains slow after these steps, consider using a drain snake or contacting a professional.
When to call a professional plumber
Severe or Persistent Blockages
Persistent clogs after DIY attempts may require advanced plumbing methods for resolution. Recurring clogs that return despite your efforts signal it’s time to get professional assistance for your pipes.
A Penrith Plumbing technician can not only clear persistent blockages but also diagnose underlying issues. Our approach can take the form of deploying a cctv drain camera to venture beyond what the eye can see and pinpoint blockages out of reach from conventional methods. Our high-pressure water jetting technique effectively dislodges build-up in shower drains.
Our industrial-strength cleaning methods readily tackle even the most stubborn accumulations of hair, soap residue, and debris in your drains.
Improper Drainage Installation
At times, the need to fix blocked shower origins arises from deeper issues within your plumbing installation. Poor connections, outdated pipes or narrow drain lines can all contribute to poor drainage and recurring clogs.
With expertise spanning the breadth of residential and commercial plumbing systems, our licensed Penrith plumbers are adept at implementing the right fixes for blocked conduits. If we identify flaws in your piping or drainage setup leading to chronic clogs, we can provide solutions.
From re-piping or drain line replacement to trenchless pipe relining, we offer advanced and minimally invasive techniques to resolve improper drainage for the long run. Updating ageing plumbing prevents recurring issues.
There’s no reason to put up with a persistently slow or clogged shower drain; Our skilled technicians use the latest tools and their expertise to swiftly eliminate blockages and restore seamless water flow.
Should your bathroom troubles spiral into a need to unclog your shower drain, give us call at Penrith Plumbing on 1300 349 338 for immediate service or shoot an email to [email protected]. For urgent clogged shower drain issues, request an immediate appointment and we’ll dispatch a plumber to your home as soon as possible.