If you have long hair, you might have experienced a handful of clogged shower drains. Long hair has a tendency to cluster in shower pipes, creating a clog that grows with each shower. You can contact your local plumber for rooter service when this happens, or you can save the effort by doing it yourself.
Use a drain snake
If your shower drain is uncovered, hair could be roped around the spokes of your drain. Overtime, this could form a chain of hair and shower products. Insert a drain snake down the pipe and twist to catch hair around the snake’s ridges. Carefully withdraw the snake, especially if it’s made of tough resin and curls when it’s resting. It could flick upwards and splash you.
Make a couple passes through the drain if you suspect there’s more hair. You might have to partially reach into the drain to pull out hair clumps loosened by the snake but not caught. For this you should wear gloves.
Pour an overnight drain cleaner
When hair clogs are deep, residential plumbers recommend the powerful at-home treatment of overnight liquid cleaner. Clogs caused by organic material, such as hair and mold, can be broken down by enzyme-based cleaners instead of chemical cleaners. Enzymes are the safer option for pipes as well, because they don’t contain chemicals. Rather, enzymes feed on organic material, chewing through to make a path for water.
Enzyme-based cleaners also have the benefit of working past their use. The overnight result is a cleared drain with increased water flow. The long-term result is a shower pipe that continues to clean itself with the lingering enzymes. This makes enzyme cleaners great for monthly maintenance. Simply pour it down your drain once every four weeks.
For prevention, use a hair catcher
After your shower drain is clean and allows water to move freely, put a hair catcher in the drain. When hair flushes into your drain, it will spiral around the hair catcher. Once a week, take the catcher out and wipe off the captured hair. You might have to clean the catcher every few days if you use hair products that clog the catcher’s waterflow holes. Also, if your household has people with long hair, you’ll have to clean the catcher more frequently.
Family-Owned Rooter Service with Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating
For professional help with your clogged drains, reach out to Ehret. Co Plumbing & Heating through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292. We offer quality rooter services, including water heater repair & replacement and trenchless sewer replacement.
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