• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Clogged shower drain -advice wanted

M

MrScott81

Golden Member
So the combination of SoCal's notorious hard water (calcium buildup, etc) and my wife's long hair leads to a slow shower drain. It just gets worse and worse until it the shower starts filling up shortly after being turned on.

This can be remedied by Drano or other horrendous chemicals that can't be too good for the environment.

More recently I started using a vinegar + baking soda solution along with some boiling water.

However, it's kind of a pain in the butt. The shower will be good for a week or two and then it starts getting bad again.

A friend of mine mentioned getting a drain snake to help remove any hair clogs. I searched on amazon and home depot and there seem to be tons of options. I have no idea. I have a 2" pipe if that matters. Does anyone have any suggestions?

P.S. I was interested in buying a water softener to help deal not only with this problem, but just for overall better water in the house.
 
You are only cleaning the first few feet and the problem goes a lot farther. Personally, I would get a good enzymatic cleaner and start using frequently. Over time it will clear out your drains a lot further down than you are getting.

Also, the baking soda helps agitate the vinegar helping it to dislodge the hair, but it also neutralizes it so that it does nothing to the calcium deposits.

Good luck.
 
You need a drain snake. should be able to get one from HD or Lowes or wherever.

It's a horrid, messy affair.

After that, install a hair trap on the drain. Sucks to have to dig out the hair after each shower, but saves you from further misery.
 
coolpurplefan said:
The 7 minute Liquid Plumber Pro is pretty powerful. (Maybe 30 minutes though, not 7.)
Click to expand...

Yeah I've used it. It does work well...for a week or 2. It's pretty costly to have to do this 2-4 times per month...and like I said earlier, it's probably not good for the environment.
 
Last edited:
MrScott81 said:
Yeah I've used it. It does work well...for a week or 2. It's pretty costly to have to do this 2-4 times per month...and like I said earlier, it's probably not good for the environment.
Click to expand...
The hard water and your wife's hair started it.:colbert:

Kinky.


Metal drain pipe?
 
I have to take a wire hanger made into a hook to pull out hair every so often to keep it running smoothly. Then I do a combo of boiling water followed by drano. Been working excellent so far
 
I just clear mine with a coat hanger with a cork-screw bent into one end.

I've heard tell that liquid plumber type products can corrode your pipes over time and eventually you'll need very, very costly repairs. So go with a snake of some sort.

Prevention is easiest, just get a drain basket to collect hair before it goes into the drain.
 
brainhulk said:
I have to take a wire hanger made into a hook to pull out hair every so often to keep it running smoothly. Then I do a combo of boiling water followed by drano. Been working excellent so far
Click to expand...

That's a good idea; this works even better:

088712104001lg.jpg


In a shower or bathroom sink, the vast majority of clogs are from hair in the trap.


I'd avoid the boiling water, however, especially if you have PVC or ABS drain lines.


If you can remove the shower drain grate, these can sometimes do wonders clearing a line.

clog01.gif



And OP, you are right to question using "Drano" or any other chemicals.

Even as a last resort, they are a poor choice.
 
Last edited:
Manscape regularly, so your drain doesn't get hit with the equivalency of a medium sized woodland creature every 4 months.
 
feralkid said:
That's a good idea; this works even better:

088712104001lg.jpg


In a shower or bathroom sink, the vast majority of clogs are from hair in the trap.


I'd avoid the boiling water, however, especially if you have PVC or ABS drain lines.


And OP, you are right to question using "Drano" or any other chemicals.

Even as a last resort, they are a poor choice.
Click to expand...

Those zip-its are fucking great. They're pretty short, (16-18") but for most of us, the clog will be within a foot or so of the drain...so they're perfect for the job.
 
feralkid said:
That's a good idea; this works even better:

088712104001lg.jpg


In a shower or bathroom sink, the vast majority of clogs are from hair in the trap.


I'd avoid the boiling water, however, especially if you have PVC or ABS drain lines.


If you can remove the shower drain grate, these can sometimes do wonders clearing a line.

clog01.gif



And OP, you are right to question using "Drano" or any other chemicals.

Even as a last resort, they are a poor choice.
Click to expand...

These are awesome. I used to use a 12 ga wire with a hook and this thing reached deeper and got all the hair out without need for a snake. Most of the time your issues are in the first 12-18 inches of drain and pipe and these things are cheap.
 
Get one of these zip-line things from Home Depot. They work great and they're under $5:

cleaningdrain-caughthaircu.jpg


Also put some kind of hair trap over your drain. I specifically had our showers built with 2" drains for this reason. My wife loses more hair than I've had on my head in a lifetime.
 
AznAnarchy99 said:
Was it on this forum where some guy took a dump in the shower and tried to stomp it into the drain out of embarrassment?
Click to expand...

I once threatened that very same scenario to a friend who was very particular about reminding everyone not to pee in his shower. Well, minus the embarrassment, ofc.
 
Thank you all for your suggestions!

I probably went overboard, but I bought some lye, a drain snake, and one of those gadgets you hook your hose up to. Better to be prepared 🙂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top