When your shower slowly drains or refuses to drain altogether, you’ve got a big problem: you’re losing access to one of the places you and your family members use to stay clean. Shower clogs are especially problematic in one-bathroom households.

While we don’t generally recommend DIY, a shower clog can be reasonably straightforward, and there are a few steps you can try before you call us. 

Try a Plunger

You can plunge a shower drain just like you can a toilet. You just need to get a good seal between the plunger and the drain. Then, run water into your shower until it covers the plunger.

Then, plunge the clog just like you’d plunge the toilet. You may need to try up to a dozen plunges to move the clog along. Then, run water down the drain and rinse it out to make sure the drain is clearing.

If you’ve already tried Draino or a similar product, do not try this method. You could cover yourself in Draino, burning your skin and eyes. Draino is a terrible idea anyway (see below), but mistakes happen. 

Try Boiling Water

A mixture of boiling water, vinegar, and baking soda can help break up a clog. Most clogs are a mixture of hair, soap scum, dirt, and shampoo. The resulting reaction should break up most of the clog and ease the clog along. 

It’s a relatively safe method to try, but don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t break up your clog. Your clog may be too thick or too packed down to respond to this treatment. There could also be something else down in the shower drain that won’t respond to boiling water.

No Draino!

Draino can absolutely destroy your pipes. It’s a toxic, corrosive chemical that can erode them away. Sometimes, Draino also sits atop a clog without going anywhere. The fumes seep into your shower, which means you could end up breathing dangerous fumes every minute that you remain within the enclosed space. 

Plus, if you have a septic system, Draino can destroy it, killing off the bacteria that work to destroy the waste material deposited there. This can mean facing unpleasant septic system back-ups later on and can be a much bigger, much more expensive fix than a broken drain.

Try a Drain Snake

A snake can help you reach the clog. Once you reach it, the auger on the end generally catches the clog, helping you pull it up or away. Sometimes, the auger breaks up the clog. 

Again, do not try this if you have already put Draino in the pipes. 

Make sure you understand how to use a drain snake before you try it. 

Caveat! 

Using a drain snake looks easy, but it’s tricky. If you aren’t careful, you can push the clog down into the pipes, impacting it. If you choose the wrong snake size, you could break your pipes. If the snake isn’t long enough, you won’t reach the clog at all. A powerful electric drain snake could cause injuries. 

If you aren’t sure what you’re doing or try snaking the drain but find that the shower remains clogged, call the professionals immediately. 

Call Acosta Plumbing

If you can’t dislodge the clog yourself or are unsure about your ability to use tools like a drain snake, call us. We offer drain cleaning services for just $129, which may be far less expensive than you feared.

Plus, a professional will be on hand to tell you whether you’re dealing with a problem that’s a bit more serious than a hunk of hair.

Ready to make that clog disappear? Call (832) 402-7557 to get started today.