How to Fix a Clogged Shower Drain: Expert Tips & Tricks

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Plus, learn how to prevent clogs in the first place
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There’s nothing worse than standing in an inch of water when you’re trying to take a shower. Shower drains often become clogged due to a buildup of hair, soap scum, and other debris, but luckily, they’re pretty easy to fix. We spoke to professional plumbers and cleaning experts to teach you all the best ways to unclog a shower drain, including using boiling water , a plunger , baking soda and vinegar , and more. Plus, learn when you should call a plumber and how to prevent future clogs.

Easy Ways to Unclog a Shower

  • Unscrew the drain cover to pull out surface clogs by hand.
  • Pour boiling water down the drain to dissolve hair clogs.
  • Pour equal parts baking soda and vinegar down the drain to remove tough grime.
  • Use a plunger or drain snake to remove deeper clogs.
Section 1 of 9:

Removing Surface Clogs by Hand

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  1. Sometimes, shower drains stop up because of superficial clogs at the drain’s surface. Some drain covers simply lift out or can be unscrewed by hand, while others need to be unscrewed with a screwdriver. Take the cover off and set it aside to see if there are any visible clogs. [1]
    • If you have a drop stopper, lift the stopper and find the screw at tub level. Unscrew it and the top section of the device.
    • If you’ve showered recently, wait for the water to drain completely before attempting to unclog it. It’s easier to remove clogs when the pipes are free of water.

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    David Balkan is a professional plumber and the CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service, with over 40 years of experience.

    James Schuelke is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts plumbing company, with over 32 years of experience.

    Kadi Dulude is a house cleaning professional and the owner of the Wizard of Homes cleaning company, with over 10 years of experience.

    Chris Willatt is a house cleaning professional and the owner of the Alpine Maids cleaning agency, who has been featured in USA Today, Forbes, and Readers Digest.

  2. Examine both the shower drain cover and the drain itself to see if there’s any visible hair or clogs. If there are, “Just put a pair of rubber gloves on and pull it right out,” explains professional plumber and CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main, David Balkan. [2] Then, wipe the drain clean with paper towels or toilet paper. Reach down as far as possible to make sure the clog is completely removed.
    • Once you’ve removed all visible debris, run the water again. If the shower is still clogged, the issue is likely deeper in the drain and will require a different unclogging method.
    EXPERT TIP

    James Schuelke

    Professional Plumber
    James Schuelke, along with his twin brother David, is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts, a licensed plumbing, leak detection, and mold inspection company based in Los Angeles, California. James has over 32 years of home service and business plumbing experience and has expanded the Twin Home Experts to Phoenix, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest.
    James Schuelke
    Professional Plumber

    If you have a wet/dry vacuum, you can use that, instead. Take the drain cover off the shower, then put your wet/dry vacuum hose right up against the drain. When you turn the vacuum on, it will extract any organic matter, hair, soap scum, and anything else that's inside that drain.

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Section 2 of 9:

Removing Clogs With Boiling Water

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  1. Pour boiling water down the shower drain. Most shower and bathtub clogs are caused by a buildup of hair and soap scum, which can often be dissolved with boiling water. Simply boil a pot or kettle of hot water and slowly pour it down the drain, being careful not to burn yourself. Once the boiling water goes down the drain, run some water to see if the drain has cleared. If it hasn’t, repeat the process until you see results. [3]
    • If you have a small drain, use a funnel to pour the boiling water.
    • You typically will not need to remove the drain cover for this method.
    • For extra power, pour ¼ cup of dish detergent down the drain before pouring the boiling water. This should help free any hairs stuck to the sides of your drain and make it easier to wash the rest of the gunk out.
    • Do not pour boiling water down PVC pipes, as the heat may damage them.
    • If this method doesn’t work, the clog may be larger and require a stronger unclogging method.
Section 3 of 9:

Removing Clogs With Baking Soda and Vinegar

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  1. Mix equal parts (about â…“ to ½ cup each) of baking soda and distilled white vinegar in a heat-resistant cup. Take the drain cover off your shower drain, and pour the mixture down it. The mixture should immediately begin fizzing, which will help remove tough grime, grease, and hair. Cover the drain and let the solution work for at least 1 hour. [4]
    • Alternatively, house cleaning professional Kadi Dulude says an easy way to clear a clogged drain is to “pour baking soda down the drain and vinegar over it.” So, pour the baking soda down the drain first, followed by the vinegar. [5]
    • If you prefer, first pour boiling water down the drain before adding the baking soda and vinegar solution. This will help flush the drain.
    • The longer you leave the mixture in the pipes, the more buildup it will dissolve. If possible, let it sit overnight for the best results.
  2. After the vinegar and baking soda solution has sat for at least an hour, remove the drain cover and carefully pour boiling water down the drain. This should flush out the cleaning solution and any remaining debris. If the drain is still clogged, repeat the process. [6]
    • You can also turn on the hot water tap of your tub and let it rinse out the remainder of the solution.
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Section 4 of 9:

Removing Clogs With a Plunger

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  1. Unscrew the overflow plate and gently remove it and the drain mechanism. The overflow drain in a tub can break the suction created by a plunger, so make sure it’s completely closed off by covering it with a wet towel or rag. [7]
    • Warning: Don’t use a plunger if you’ve poured toxic chemicals, like bleach, down the drain. The plunger will bring it up and cause it to splash, which could cause burns.
  2. Pour enough water into the tub to evenly wet the drain and cover the bottom of the plunger (usually about 1 inch). Alternatively, apply a small amount of petroleum jelly around the edge of the cup of the plunger to get a better seal. [8]
    • For the best results, use a cup plunger . If you have a flange plunger with an extra ring of rubber around the bottom, fold the extra ring into the cup.
  3. Place the plunger over the drain to form a tight seal. Grasp the handle firmly and gently move the handle up and down a few times to force the air out. Then, plunge more forcefully about 15-20 times or for about 20 seconds. [9]
    • The cup will seal when you start to pump.
    • If there is a lot of standing water in your tub, remove some of it with a bucket before you start to plunge. This will keep it from splashing you.
    • Don’t push so hard that you break the seal.
  4. If the plunging worked, the water in the tub should drain away quickly. The plunger will have either pushed the clog through the pipe or brought it up so you can remove it with your hands. If the water still isn’t draining quickly, try again. [10]
    • If the plunger brought the clog up, either pull it out with your hands or use a drain snake if you can’t reach it. Use a flashlight to get a good look.
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Section 5 of 9:

Removing Clogs With a Drain Snake

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  1. Remove the drain cover with a screwdriver or by lifting it out with your hands. To remove the overflow plate, unscrew the plate from the tub with a screwdriver or with your hands, if there is a knob. [11]
    • Removing the overflow plate will bring up the stopper linkage. Pull this out as well.
  2. Insert the drain snake into the drain until it hits the clog. Turn the handle clockwise to hook the clog, then continue running the snake down the drain. When you feel resistance, the snake has started picking up the clogs. When the resistance lessens, the snake has cleared the drain . [12]
    • Drain snakes are also called plumber’s snakes or cable augers. Be sure to choose a longer snake to tackle your shower drain.
  3. 3
    Turn the handle counterclockwise to pull the snake out. Crank the handle counterclockwise to reel in the cable and bring up the clogs. Go slowly so you don’t lose any debris. Once the snake is out, simply remove the clog from the wire. Run hot water down the drain to make sure the clog has been removed completely, then replace the drain cover. [13]
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Section 6 of 9:

Removing Clogs With a Coat Hanger

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  1. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to unwind the loops and straighten out the wire as much as possible. “Make a hook at the end of the wire to pull up any hair that’s stuck in the drain,” explains Dulude. [14]
    • This essentially creates a DIY drain snake. This method is useful for clearing clogs that are too deep to reach with your hands.
    • Wear rubber gloves to protect yourself from scratching yourself with the wire and to grab any clogs you pull up without having to touch them with your bare skin.
  2. Remove the drain cover and insert the wire into the drain until you hit the bottom of the trap. Twist it back and forth until it snags on the clog. Then, slowly pull the clog out, throw it away, and repeat the process until the wire stops catching on debris in the drain. [15]
    • It may help to shine a flashlight down the drain to see where the clogs are.
    • If the clog is tight enough to block water, it will stick together as you pull it up. You may have to repeat the process several times to pull out all the pieces.
    • When you’ve removed all that you can, run some hot water to make sure the clog is gone. If the water still doesn’t drain, you’ll likely need to try another unclogging method or call a plumber.
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Section 7 of 9:

Removing Clogs With a Drain Cleaner

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  1. Use a chemical drain cleaner if all else fails. Commercial drain cleaners often contain harsh chemicals, so they’re best left as a last resort. If nothing else works, put on rubber gloves and eye protection, and follow the instructions on your drain cleaner’s container to apply the product properly . Balkan warns that when using commercial drain cleaners, “You have to be careful because if it splashes, you can get a burn.” [16]
    • Do not attempt to plunge the drain after using a chemical drain cleaner, as it will cause the cleaner to splash out.
    • Make sure you have good ventilation so you don’t inhale the fumes.
    • Be aware that chemical drain cleaners have powerful ingredients that may damage your pipes. Do not use these cleaners frequently.
    • Aim to choose an environmentally safe product.
Section 8 of 9:

When to Call a Plumber

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  1. Call a plumber if you can’t remove the clog yourself. If you’ve exhausted all unclogging methods and nothing seems to work, it’s probably time to call a plumber. There may be a deeper issue within your plumbing system that requires professional attention.
    • Make sure to tell the plumber what methods you’ve tried, especially if you used a chemical drain cleaner. Show them the bottle you used so they can take proper precautions.
    • If you see black gunk coming out of your drain, you have a sewage blockage. Call a plumber as soon as possible, as this can be a health issue.
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Section 9 of 9:

How to Prevent Shower Drain Clogs

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  1. Keep your shower drain as free of hair and debris as possible. Because most shower drain clogs are caused by a buildup of hair, try to keep it as hair-free as possible. To prevent your shower drain from getting clogged up, house cleaning professional Chris Willatt says, “Clean [your drain] regularly, once a week. Make sure you’re getting all the hair out. Anything that’s stuck in the drain, you’re removing it.” [17] Here are some tips to help prevent future clogs :
    • Use a hair catcher (drain cover) to catch hair.
    • Pick up any hair left in the drain or tub after you shower.
    • Brush your hair before getting in the shower so it’s less likely to shed.
    • Don’t pour dirty mop water or any water that contains dirt and debris down your shower drain.
    • Pour boiling water down metal pipes weekly to dislodge buildup before it becomes a clog.
    • Pour equal parts baking soda and distilled white vinegar down the drain once a month.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-unclog-shower-drain
      2. ↑ David Balkan. Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unclog-a-shower-drain/
      4. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unclog-a-shower-drain/
      5. ↑ Kadi Dulude. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unclog-a-shower-drain/
      7. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-use-a-plunger/
      8. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-unblock-shower-drain-281474979610975/
      9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-use-a-plunger/
      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-use-a-plunger/
      2. ↑ https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/cleaning-tips/a44613602/how-to-unclog-shower-drain/
      3. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-unblock-shower-drain-281474979610975/
      4. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-unblock-shower-drain-281474979610975/
      5. ↑ Kadi Dulude. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unclog-a-shower-drain/
      7. ↑ David Balkan. Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main. Expert Interview
      8. ↑ Chris Willatt. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To unclog a shower drain, start by using a screwdriver to remove the drain stopper. Then, grab a flashlight and look down the drain to see if you can identify what is causing the clog. If it is hair or something you can see, use your hands or a pair of pliers to pull it out of the drain. If you can't see the clog, try pouring 3/4 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain. Wait 30 minutes for the mixture to break up the clog and then flush with boiling water. To learn how to clean out clogs using a homemade drain snake, read on!

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