How To Unclog Your Shower Drain in Lexington, KY

When you have slow-draining showers, standing in a couple of inches of water detracts from the enjoyment of a relaxing shower. You may need our plumbing services in Lexington, KY, to provide help with how to fix a clogged shower drain. 

Before calling for professional drain cleaning, you might want to try a few DIY techniques to get the wastewater flowing smoothly again.

DIY Steps You Can Use To Unclog a Shower Drain

You can take a few steps on your own to try to get your shower drain flowing well again. Some DIY options may prove more effective and safer than others.

Remove Debris Around the Drain

Many shower drains have a grate to catch hair and other solids. You can remove hair from drain grates to try to improve the flow of wastewater. Sometimes, removing this loose hair will restore the water flow immediately.

Add Boiling Water

If the clog stems from grease or soap deposits inside the drain pipe, you can boil water on the stove or in the microwave. Then, pour it slowly down the drain. The hot water might remove the materials causing the clog. 

Use a Plunger Over the Drain

Using a plunger for the shower drain is another option for how to fix a clogged shower drain. You’ll need an inch or two of standing water inside the shower to help create enough suction to pop the clog loose. Use the plunger the same way you’d use it in your toilet, covering the entire drain with the round segment.

Avoid Damaging Your Pipes

Although you can use chemical drain cleaners to try to remove a blockage in the shower drain, repeated use of these products can damage the pipes. If you rent a plumbing snake to try to pull out the blockage, you could get it stuck or damage the pipes, creating a larger repair bill.

Steps Licensed Plumbers Take To Unclog a Shower Drain in Lexington, KY

If you can’t seem to remove or prevent shower clogs with DIY steps, professional plumbers have several steps they can take. Plumbers understand exactly how a shower drain works, which helps them track down the source of the problem quickly. They can also give you drain maintenance tips that will prevent the clog from returning.

Inspecting the Drain Line

If the clog persists, plumbers might start by inserting a video camera at the end of a flexible cable into the drain line. This camera locates the site of the blockage and provides information about the material causing the clog. The plumber can then create a plan to remove it.

Inserting a Plumbing Snake

One of the most common methods for how to fix a clogged shower drain is to use an electric plumbing snake. The plumber will have the correct size of snake to match the diameter of your shower drain line. A plumber with experience using a snake will reduce the risk of the machine getting stuck in the pipe.

Using a Hydro-Jetting Machine

Because Lexington, KY, has hard water problems, you might have scale buildup inside the shower drain that’s causing the blockage. To remove the scale, the plumber might suggest running a hydro-jetting machine through the line. 

The plumber might recommend installing a water softener to prevent future scale buildup from the minerals in the hard water.

Performing Repairs on the Drain Line

Because Lexington, KY, has many homes built several decades ago, some of the plumbing pipes might be extremely old. 

If it’s visible from inside an unfinished basement, the plumber might visually inspect the line with the clog. Perhaps water pools in the shower base because the line doesn’t have the proper slope for normal water flow.

If the plumber finds damage in the line that’s causing the slow drain, repairs may be necessary. The plumber might be able to replace just a section of the line, but some problems may require more extensive repairs.

Count on Our Experts To Fix Shower Drain Blockage Problems in Lexington, KY

You don’t have to put up with a slow drain in your home’s shower. Not only is it annoying when you’re bathing, but it also can cause odd odors. A blockage that grows unchecked could completely plug the drain, causing an overflow of wastewater that could ruin your flooring.

For help with how to fix a clogged shower drain and get rid of smelly bathroom drains, contact Elite Performance Plumbing today. We serve all regions around Lexington, KY, including homes and businesses near Greenbrier Golf & Country Club, Waveland State Historic Site, and Thoroughbred Park.