Clogged shower drains can be an absolute pain to deal with, but there are simple DIY solutions that could solve your issue.
A professional can assess and diagnose its source before providing solutions that best address its symptoms. Some common causes for blocked shower drains include: 1. Mineral Buildup.
1. Hair
Hair can be one of the primary contributors to shower drain issues. When combined with soap, shampoo, and other products used in the shower, it forms thick clumps that block water flow and eventually result in serious clogs that lead to loss of pressure or overflowing bathtubs. Furthermore, these clogs trap other substances which break down quickly under warm, moist conditions – such as bacteria and odor-producing products.
Hair shed while showering affects people of all ages and may end up making its way down the drain and becoming lodged. Long-haired individuals are particularly at risk since long hair accumulates near the drain in large clumps which may clog.
Good news is that this simple problem can be addressed easily by simply taking steps such as removing the shower drain cover and using a drain snake or unbent wire coat hanger to clear away clogs of hair from within it. Furthermore, brushing before showering can prevent some hair from falling down into your drain in the first place!
Pouring boiling water down your drain regularly is also recommended in order to prevent buildup of hair and other deposits that clog its interior pipe walls from occurring, and can even help break down existing clogs to increase its flow and ensure proper functioning. This process should help ensure the optimal health and functioning of the system.
2. Debris
Sand and debris from beach visits or children playing in the dirt can easily find their way down your shower drain and cause it to become blocked, leading to unpleasant experiences for you when taking showers. If standing water accumulates around your drain without explanation or an unpleasant odor comes from it, this indicates a potential serious problem that should be investigated promptly by a plumber.
A mesh screen or hair catcher placed over your drain will capture any unwanted items before they enter your pipes, while frequently wiping down shower and bathtub after each use will prevent dirt accumulation.
Hair alone will not clog a shower drain, but when mixed with soap scum and other residue, it can quickly form into a thick blockage that restricts pipe diameters over time.
Your shower may run slowly and produce an unpleasant odor due to blocked drains. To eliminate this odor, pour a mixture of one-half cup bleach with two cups hot water down your drain or use boiling water, which is proven to dissolve most blockages without damage to pipes.
3. Fungi
Fungi are one of the most abundant organisms found in terrestrial environments. Fungi are useful organisms with many applications ranging from food products like mushrooms and truffles to medicines like antifungals; however, they can also pose health threats to both people and animals alike, decimating agricultural crops to the tune of billions in lost economic production, contributing to various human illnesses as well as contributing to allergies.
Fungi are prokaryotic organisms with cell walls composed of chitin similar to that found on crustaceans and insects, giving them their characteristic shapes while providing the means for nutrients to enter through them. Furthermore, this wall serves to protect them against mechanical injury, prevent osmotic lysis and provide passive protection from foreign substances entering.
Spores produced by fungi can easily spread with wind currents, making their presence felt quickly over a broad area. Therefore, air sample spore counts are often used as an evaluation of outdoor environments; their inhalation may even cause allergic symptoms, with members of Alternaria being particularly problematic.
Fungi are common in cool, dark and damp environments like soil and decaying organic matter, but can also form symbiotic relationships with living plants or animals. Without chlorophyll to convert sunlight into energy for them to use directly, they rely instead on enzymes to break down substrates before absorbing any degradation products from them. They are generally divided into five major reproductive modes with five major classifications and an additional sixth one known as form phylum for convenience purposes.
4. Foreign Objects
Hair, soap scum and other substances can form a dense clog that restricts drain flow, trapping other objects in its pipework – from small toys and razor cover protections to bottle caps and product wrappers – infiltrating into its interior and further impeding drainage systems – leading to further issues like corrosion within water systems that will necessitate professional assistance.
Children often send items like baby wipes and toys down the drain either intentionally or accidentally. Unfortunately, adults are also susceptible to sending items down their drain that shouldn’t. Therefore it’s essential that household members understand which items shouldn’t go down their drain and regularly inspect shower pipes to find anything unexpected that has ended up there.
If you suspect there’s something foreign in your tub, the first step should be attempting to remove it yourself. If the item is visible and close to the drain, use a wet/dry vacuum or flexible plumbing snake to grab hold and pull out. Otherwise, to reach further down into pipes you may need to disassemble drain traps beneath your tub – if this seems daunting it might be best suited to professional service providers instead.