Have you observed that it takes a while for the water in your shower to completely go down the drain? Then chances are, this may be one of the first warning signs that there is a clog forming in your shower drain or a shower drain clog. A blocked shower drain can be a major inconvenience and it can ruin your morning or your day.
What causes a clogged shower drain?
So, what are some of the reasons that your tub may drain slowly? You may be surprised that simple things like a shower drain clogged with hair, soap, and foreign items can cause bathtub drain problems or specifically a shower drain clog. But when these things gather and accumulate around parts of the drain, then clogs can occur. Once a shower drain becomes congested, drainage problems can eventually worsen over time.
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- Human Hair – Perhaps the most common cause of a clogged tub drain is the accumulation of human hair and possibly the addition of a shower drain clogged with hair. When hair builds up around the drain, it can prevent water from passing through the shower drain. Not only does hair block the water in going through the drain, but it can also serve as an area for deposits like grime and soap scum to stick to. Plus, hair that gets stuck in the drain won’t be dislodged easily by water flowing through the pipes. While it is easy for men to point to women as the culprits for hair gathering around the drain, the fact is that everyone plays a part. It does not matter whether the hair strands are long or short, hair can accumulate easily and clog up the shower drain.
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- Soap Scum – Soap scum is another factor with regards to the clogging in the tub drain. To the uninitiated, soap scum pertains to that creamy glaze that results from the mixing of soap with hard water. It can coat the shower walls and tub aside from clogging the drain. As mentioned above, it can also attach itself to hair clogs making them worse faster.When it comes to the shower drain, the soap often sticks to the inner sides. In turn, rough spots are created and this narrows the diameter of the pipe, restricting the flow of water in the process.Another reason why soap scum can cause a lot of potential headaches for you and your plumber is because it has the potential to thicken and form into a solid blockage. When it hardens into a solid shell, it can restrict the flow of water through the drain. It can also be tough to remove the soap scum when it has hardened into a solid matter.
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- Hard Water – Hard water has minerals like calcium and iron which can corrode the water pipes. These minerals are actually safe for human consumption, but they have a tendency to stick to the sides of the drain. When these minerals build up over time, clogging can occur.
- Foreign Objects – Small objects like product wrappers, bottle caps, and small toys can be dropped in the bath tub, go down the drain, and often result in a clogged tub drain.
How to Fix a Clogged Shower Drain
The first thing to check on your shower drain would be the shower drain cover itself. The buildup of soap scum can attach to hair and this will accumulate on the top of the drain cover. This would be an obvious sign and an easy problem to solve. Simply by taking a paper towel and gathering the accumulated hair from the top of the shower drain cover will be an easy fix.
However, if your shower drain is draining slow or is clogged, and there is no visible hair on top of the cover, the clog is most likely further down the drain line. The clog may be in the drain trap or possibly even farther in the drain line, or even in the sewer main.
Toilet and Shower Clogged
If you notice that your toilet and your shower are clogged or backing up at the same time, aka shower drain clogged standing water, this could be the sign of a main sewer line clog. This is a clog that is further down the drain line and that is clogging two or more lines or fixtures. If you are seeing this type of clog please call Protek at 941-575-7324
A major warning sign for this type of a main sewer drain clog is when you flush your toilet and it would begin to back up in your shower drain. This is a sign of a main line clog, meaning the clog is beyond the toilet and the shower. Addressing the clog at either fixture, the shower drain or the toilet will not be effective as the clog is further down the line beyond both fixtures. This is the time to call your Port Charlotte Plumber Protek Plumbing and Drain Specialists to evaluate the issue before it escalates into something major.
Shower Drain Clog Prevention
So what can you do to prevent the shower drain from being clogged?
It is recommended that you put a hair guard over the shower drain. This would prevent the hair from entering and gathering in the drain. You should also make it a habit to clean out the hair guard regularly for best results.
Boiling water can also help prevent hair clogs and soap scum from gathering in the pipe. Pour boiling water down the drain at least once a month. This habit will prevent possible hair clogs in the future.
If you live in an area where the water has a high mineral content, you could invest in a water softener that would prevent calcium and iron build up.
Finally, don’t treat your shower as a trash can. Keep items like small toys, paper clips, bottle caps, and product wrappers away. In case you are renovating the shower, cover the drain to prevent dust and debris from gathering around and plugging up the shower drain.
Call a Pro…Call Pro Tek
Protek Plumbing and Drain Specialists is your local emergency plumber specializing in Drain Cleaning, Leak Detection, and Repiping. Serving Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Charlotte county and Southwest Florida, Protek Plumbing brings over 35 years of experience combined with 24 hour reliable and professional service. Give Protek a call for any and all of your plumbing issues at 941-575-7324
If you need a professional plumbing contractor to evaluate and clear a shower drain clogged, or if you require a drain cleaning Port Charlotte please contact Protek Plumbing and Drain Specialists, your Port Charlotte Plumber in Port Charlotte at (941) 575-7324 or call a Punta Gorda Plumber at (941) 815-3037