We’ve all been there – you see water collecting around the shower, or maybe an unpleasant odour starts to waft from the drain. You know it’s a clogged drain. At first, you might ignore it, but one day, it’s completely blocked. This common issue needs a quick fix to prevent a burst pipe or a non-functional bathroom.

Usually, people try to remove the hair and gunk causing the blockage. But sometimes, that doesn’t work. So, what’s the next step?

Before calling for help or spending money on a professional, there are many cost-free and chemical-free solutions you can try.

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Unclogged Shower Drain #1: Wire hanger

1. Find a wire hanger.
2. Straighten it out.
3. Bend one end to create a small hook.
4. Insert the hooked end into the drain and start fishing for the clog.
5. Remove all the hair and debris, making sure to pull it out, not push it further.
6. Finally, pour hot water down the drain to clear any remaining obstructions.

Unclogged Shower Drain #2: Vinegar and Baking Soda Drain Cleaner

Mix 1/3 cup of vinegar with 1/3 cup of baking soda. Be prepared because the mixture will bubble up immediately, so pour it into the drain promptly. The bubbling action will effectively dislodge hair, debris, and residue that’s accumulated in your pipe. Allow the mixture to sit for an hour or overnight. Then, flush the drain with hot water to clear it.

Unclogged Shower Drain #3: Pipe Cleaning Made Easy

Not all plumbing tasks are daunting, and this one is quite simple. Begin by positioning a bucket under the pipe below the sink to catch any spillage. Then, use a plumber’s wrench to loosen the slip nuts. Once the trap is free, remove it and invert it to empty its contents. You can use a toothbrush to scrub away any stubborn grime. After all the blockages are gone, rinse the trap with water and reattach it.

Unclogged Shower Drain #4: Salt and Baking Soda

A handy method to clear a clogged drain involves using a mixture of ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of salt. Simply pour this mixture into the drain and let it sit for 10-20 minutes. Afterwards, flush it with boiling water. The combination of the mixture and boiling water triggers a chemical reaction that dissolves the blockages.

Unclogged Shower Drain #5: Vinegar, Baking Soda, Pressure, and Gravity

To tackle a clogged shower drain, you can employ the baking soda and vinegar mixture mentioned earlier. Pour it down the drain and seal it with a stopper. Wait for 45-60 minutes, then fill the bathtub with water and remove the stopper. Ensure that the water pressure is strong enough to clear the loosened blockage. You can also try plunging or using a drain snake along with the force of the water.

So, if you’re dealing with a clogged drain, don’t fret. There are numerous methods to try for unclogging and cleaning the drain. The ones mentioned here are straightforward and don’t involve the use of harsh chemicals. However, there are chemical solutions available if needed.

Unclogging a drain can be easy or challenging, depending on the severity of the blockage. If the methods mentioned above don’t work, you can always seek professional assistance.