Let’s face it, before calling in a professional most people like to try and fix plumbing issues themselves. Although we understand that saving time and money, and feeling that sense of accomplishment that you fixed something is great, it can be pretty dangerous to take plumbing matters into your own hands.

Still, if you’re a fixer and you want to give it a go, we’ve got some tips for you. This blog post is dedicated to clogged shower drains. This is an issue that we see frequently because shower drains can get easily clogged with hair, dirt, soap buildup, and debris. Customers want it fixed fast because a clogged shower drain causes water to pool up round your feet, and mold and mildew to accumulate in the shower. Here are 5 things to try when you get a clog, and keep in mind, if these don’t solve your plumbing issue, we encourage you to give the experts at F.H. Furr a call!

1. Use A Plunger

Contrary to popular belief, plungers aren’t only for toilets. They can be used in sinks and showers as well. Depending on the severity of your clog, a plunger might do the trick. If your clog is anything more than minor, this method may not be successful, but it should be your first try since it has been known to clear small clogs. Just be sure that water is added to the shower so that the bottom of the plunger is submerged, if it isn’t already. 

2. Use Natural Alternatives to Chemicals

If you’re not a fan of chemicals but you want to try and beat your clog the natural way, try remedies like baking soda and vinegar. Just pour a cup of baking soda into the clogged drain and wait five minutes, then pour a cup of vinegar down after it. Give this solution a couple of hours to settle, then pour boiling water into the drain. 

3. Use Stronger Chemicals 

If you’ve used natural alternatives and the clog persists, you can use something like Drain-O. We don’t like to suggest this for repeated use because it can damage plastic piping, which can cause more disastrous plumbing problems down the road, but it’s an option in a pinch.

4. Remove Drain Cover to Reach Clog

If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, and the clog is near to the surface, try removing the drain cover and reaching into the drain to stir up and remove the clog.

5. Use Plumber’s Snake 

If the clog is deep, you can purchase a plumber’s snake tool, which you can push into the drain and then turn the handle and bring it back up, hopefully pulling up the debris with it. This can be a successful method, but also difficult to use.

We can’t stress enough that all methods of DIY plumbing need to be handled with great care. If these quick fixes don’t fix your clogged drain, you could have a bigger problem on your hands and its imperative that you have professional plumber evaluate it. At F.H. Furr, we always send a plumber to your home for free, with no dispatch fees, and we’ll let you know what the problem is as well as how to fix it. You can avoid most plumbing issues with preventative maintenance. So call us today to get a plumber in your home to perform a plumbing inspection today!