If you’ve ever had roommates, you’ve probably had to deal with a clogged shower drain at one point or another. Maybe it was your fault, maybe it was theirs, maybe it was both of you — it doesn’t really matter, what matters is that you don’t have dirty water pooling at your feet.

Knowing how to unclog a shower drain is surprisingly easy and can save relationships — too many friendships have been lost to long, stubborn strands of hair. In the following article, we will teach you everything you need to do to keep your shower and bathroom fully functional.

Let’s try something very simple

Sometimes all you need to do to unclog a shower drain is remove the cover and clear the pipes. Things like hair, soap and face mask residue often accumulate over time and solidify enough that they prevent the water from flowing down your drain. We know it’s not pretty, but you might need to put on some latex gloves and dig around some yucky stuff. The good news is that you likely won’t have to do anything else.

There are many products that can make the unclogging process easier. For example, try looking for a drain stick at your local grocery store — they are virtually everywhere and require minimal effort from your part. Simply insert the stick down the drain and push through the blockage. Once you pull out the hair and everything else you find down there, dispose of it all in a trash bag.

Even if your shower drain does not seem clogged, it’s always a good idea to poke around with a drain stick every once in a while to clear any build ups. These types of preventive measures can go a long way and save you trouble down the line.

If that fails…

Some clogged drains are more persistent than others. If that is the case with yours, you might want to try mixing a few household substances to chemically clear the drain.

A cool, handy little trick is to create a cleaning solution using basic cleaning supplies. Simply mix 1/3 cup of baking soda with 1/3 of vinegar — the chemical compounds of these products can break down small debris likely causing the blockage. Pour the solution into the clogged drain and hear as the sizzling melts away your problems.

You should leave the solution sitting in the clogged drain for at least an hour for best results.

You might need to call the experts

Plumbers would be out of work if we could all solve our own plumbing issues. Don’t feel defeated by a cogged shower drain — sometimes it really takes an expert to take care of the problem.

In fact, you could make the situation worse if you ignore a clogged drain. Preferred Plumbing Ca is someone you can trust with all your drain woes — they can inspect your entire home to make sure there are no other underlying causes behind your clogged shower. They can also give you more drain cleaning advice. Call them today: (877) 298-8105