🚿 Troubleshooting Guide: Clogged Shower Drain? Here’s What You Can Do
Is your shower turning into a mini bathtub because the water won’t drain?
A clogged shower is one of the most common household plumbing issues—and luckily, there are a few simple things you can try before calling in a pro.
Follow this step-by-step guide to get the water flowing again.
A clogged shower is one of the most common household plumbing issues—and luckily, there are a few simple things you can try before calling in a pro.
Follow this step-by-step guide to get the water flowing again.
🚨 Step 1: Get Everyone to Safety
✅ Step 1: Remove Visible Hair and Debris
• Most shower clogs are caused by a buildup of hair, soap scum, and grime just below the drain.
• Take off the drain cover (you might need a screwdriver), and use a gloved hand, wire hanger, or drain cleaning tool to pull out any visible gunk.
🧼 Warning: This part is never glamorous—but it’s often the fastest way to solve the issue.
• Most shower clogs are caused by a buildup of hair, soap scum, and grime just below the drain.
• Take off the drain cover (you might need a screwdriver), and use a gloved hand, wire hanger, or drain cleaning tool to pull out any visible gunk.
🧼 Warning: This part is never glamorous—but it’s often the fastest way to solve the issue.
✅ Step 2: Pour Boiling Water Down the Drain
• Heat up a kettle and slowly pour boiling water into the drain.
• Do this in stages, giving the water time to work in between.
💡 This method can help melt grease and soap residue that’s contributing to the blockage.
• Do this in stages, giving the water time to work in between.
💡 This method can help melt grease and soap residue that’s contributing to the blockage.
✅ Step 3: Use Baking Soda & Vinegar
• Pour ½ cup of baking soda directly into the drain.
• Follow it with 1 cup of white vinegar.
• Plug the drain with a stopper or rag and let the mixture fizz for 15–30 minutes.
• Rinse with hot water.
🧪 This natural cleaning solution can break down organic buildup without using harsh chemicals.
• Follow it with 1 cup of white vinegar.
• Plug the drain with a stopper or rag and let the mixture fizz for 15–30 minutes.
• Rinse with hot water.
🧪 This natural cleaning solution can break down organic buildup without using harsh chemicals.
✅ Step 4: Try a Plunger
• Cover the drain with a cup plunger, making sure there's enough water in the shower to submerge the base.
• Give a few strong plunges to help dislodge the clog.
• If the water starts draining, flush the system with hot water for a minute or two.
🚫 Avoid using toilet plungers—shower-specific plungers are smaller and shaped better for this job.
• Give a few strong plunges to help dislodge the clog.
• If the water starts draining, flush the system with hot water for a minute or two.
🚫 Avoid using toilet plungers—shower-specific plungers are smaller and shaped better for this job.
✅ Step 5: Use a Drain Snake (Optional for DIYers)
• If the clog is stubborn and deeper down, a manual or powered drain snake can help.
• Carefully feed the snake into the drain until you feel resistance, twist to break up the clog, then pull it out and clean off the debris.
⚠️ Be gentle—improper use of drain snakes can damage pipes, especially in older plumbing systems.
• Carefully feed the snake into the drain until you feel resistance, twist to break up the clog, then pull it out and clean off the debris.
⚠️ Be gentle—improper use of drain snakes can damage pipes, especially in older plumbing systems.
✅ Step 6: Avoid Harsh Chemicals
• Over-the-counter drain cleaners can corrode pipes over time and are often just a short-term fix.
• They may even make the problem worse if they don't clear the blockage completely.
❌ If you’ve already tried them and your drain is still clogged, it's time to call a pro.
• They may even make the problem worse if they don't clear the blockage completely.
❌ If you’ve already tried them and your drain is still clogged, it's time to call a pro.
🧠 When to Call a Professional
If your shower is still draining slowly—or not at all—after these steps, the clog may be deeper in your plumbing system.
Multiple slow drains or foul odors could signal a main line backup.
Don't wait for the problem to get worse or risk damage to your plumbing.
Multiple slow drains or foul odors could signal a main line backup.
Don't wait for the problem to get worse or risk damage to your plumbing.
📞 Let HI-FLO WATER AND SEWER Handle It!
We’re here to solve the messy jobs so you don’t have to.
Whether it’s a basic clog or a major backup, our team has the tools and experience to get things flowing fast.
Whether it’s a basic clog or a major backup, our team has the tools and experience to get things flowing fast.
Why HI-FLO WATER AND SEWER is Your Drain Cleaning Expert:
• Fast, professional shower drain cleaning
• Safe removal of deep clogs and buildup
• Full home plumbing inspections available
• Hydro-jetting & advanced drain clearing tools
• Upfront pricing and clean, courteous service
• Safe removal of deep clogs and buildup
• Full home plumbing inspections available
• Hydro-jetting & advanced drain clearing tools
• Upfront pricing and clean, courteous service
We’re your go-to local experts for drain cleaning, plumbing repairs, and fast solutions when water won’t go where it’s supposed to.
Your shower should drain—let us make sure it does.
HI-FLO Water & Sewer