It’s very common to experience backed-up shower and bathtub drains. While they can be unsightly and inconvenient, there are a few things you can do to quickly and easily clear the drain.
Before you try these DIY methods, see if the slowdown or blockage is localized or affecting every drain in the house. If more than one drain is backed-up, it may point to a bigger plumbing issue. Contact a plumbing professional at A. Borrelli Mechanical to diagnose and fix the issue.
DIY Methods to Unclog the Drain
- Use boiling hot water. Simply boil water and pour it down the drain that is clogged. If the clog is simple, this should hopefully open the drain back up.
- Use a baking soda and vinegar mix. Use equal parts of baking soda and vinegar (1 cup each) and pour them down the drain. You should see bubbling and frizz as the two substances mix together. Wait about 15-20 minutes and pour hot water down the drain.
- Try using a plunger to move hair and other particles closer to the surface and then remove from them using your hands. It may take a few minutes of consistent plunging to get results. If you have an overflow drain in your tub, this can break the suction created with a plunger. Cover it with a towel to make sure it is completely closed off.
- Create a DIY hook using a coat hanger. Shape one end into a small hook and fish it down into the shower drain to grab the built-up hair and dirt. Unscrew the drain cover beforehand.
- Unclog using a hand snake. These can be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement store, and are a good tool to keep around the house. Unscrew the drain cover and push the snake down the drain until you reach the clog. Then turn the snake handle to bring it back up.
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