Don’t Let Hair Clog your Shower Drain.
Posted by Moore Home Services
Plumbing
Pets aren’t the only ones who shed. You may not be aware of it, but every time you wash your hair some of it sheds and often ends up in your shower drain. It’s not just humans though. Pet hair can also clog the drain if you wash a furry dog in the shower. Hair clogs are one of the most common plumbing annoyances all homeowners deal with. Here are our favorite ways to stop hair from clogging your shower drain.
Clear the Shower Drain with Boiling Water
Soap and other products used in the shower harden as they cool. They’re similar to cooking oils in that respect. Oftentimes, they’ll harden at the top of your drain and catch loose hair as it’s washed out of the shower. This alone can lead to a slow draining or clogged shower.
All you need is boiling water if you want to try and clear it on your own. Simply boil a pot of water on the stove. Once it reaches a rolling boil remove it from the heat and promptly pour it down the drain. Don’t forget to use a funnel, we don’t want anyone getting burned.
The heat from the water should help loosen up the hardened soap and oils. After you dump the water, let it sit for a few minutes then try to plunge the drain with a flat plunger. This should help dislodge any buildup at the top of your drain.
Use Tweezers or Pliers to Remove Built Up Hair
One of the best tools to remove hair from your shower drain is actually in your beauty cabinet. Tweezers are a great way to remove hair from your drain.
Oftentimes, when hair is clogging a shower drain, it can congregate around the drain cover or stopper. To clean it out, start by removing the drain cover and cleaning it. You’re going to set that aside and grab a flashlight.
Shine around the inside of the drain so you know how much hair you’re dealing with. If there’s a small amount of hair, tweezers are the perfect tool for the job. If there’s a lot of hair, you may need to pull out the needle nose pliers.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Most people don’t know it, but some of the most effective cleaning solutions are in their pantry. White Vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap and do wonders for your bathroom. Not just in terms of cleaning, but also for drain clearing.
To clean your drain this way you first need to remove the stopper. Next, squirt a few drops of dish soap directly in the drain. Follow that up with a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar.
Wait about five minutes for everything to settle then pour at least one cup of boiling water down the drain. Follow this up with a quick plunge from a flat plunger and you should be good to go.
If Nothing Works, it’s Time to Call the Plumber
There comes a time in every homeowner’s life when DIY only does so much. It’s time to call the professionals when the job is too big for plucking and plunging. When enough hair finds its way down the drain you can put all the baking soda, vinegar, and hot water you want down your pipes, and the hairball still won’t budge.
When you’re faced with this challenge, it’s time to call a licensed plumber. They can make sure to clear everything from your pipes and tell you if there is any more danger on the horizon.
Small drips, leaks, and clogs could indicate there are much bigger problems in your plumbing system. When you hear a “drip, drip, drip” at night, we recommend scheduling a plumbing safety inspection. During an inspection our certified plumbers will put a camera down your drain to see if there are any hidden buildups, cracks, or roots. They’ll bring any issues to your attention and work with you to find the best solution.
Let the Professionals at Moore Clear Your Drain
Dealing with an immovable hair clog? The plumbers at Moore Home Services are here to help. We are a Diamond Certified plumbing and HVAC company providing service to our communities in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, and the North Bay. Call the number at the top of the screen to speak with someone from our office or
click here to schedule an appointment online.