7 Things You Can Do to Unclog Your Shower Drain

Posted on May 20, 2022 by weilhammerplumbing

Nothing quite drains the pleasure out of your morning or post-work shower than standing ankle deep in soapy water. If your shower drain is clogged, it is important to troubleshoot the issue as soon as possible, not just for the sake of your bathing enjoyment, but also for preventative maintenance purposes. Fortunately, there are many things you can do on your own that can solve the problem right away.

Continue reading to learn the top 7 things you can do to unclog your shower drain.

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How to Fix a Clogged Shower Drain

So, what causes a shower drain to clog up? Well, the answer is quite obvious. Mostly, hair, dirt, and soap residues are to blame, but shower drains can also fall victim to obstructions caused by thick shaving cream, lost jewelry, razor caps, toys, and all sorts of other common bath time accoutrements. Many people like to brush their teeth and floss in the shower, so floss is a common obstruction found in shower drains.

Not to worry, as there are plenty of ways to unclog that troublesome shower drain of yours! Here are the top seven things you can do to unclog your shower drain:

Manual Dislodging

The first thing you want to do to fix a clogged shower drain is to manually dislodge anything that’s obstructing the drain. Any visible obstructions like hair or soap scum should be cleared away of your shower drain before testing other methods of repair. Yes, this will be a slimy and unpleasant task, so put on some rubber gloves and possibly even a face mask.

Plunger

When your manual attempt doesn’t work, grab your plunger. Use the plunger over the shower drain in the same way you would use it in the toilet if the toilet were clogged. Place the plunger directly on top of the shower drain and pump it several times with force. Then run the shower to see if the water flows through the drain smoothly. If that doesn’t work, you may need to get deeper inside the drain. The next few methods will help you do that.

Boiling Water

If the first two methods don’t work, boil some water on top of your stove, and then pour it down your shower drain. Sometimes this can clear out shaving cream, dirt accumulation, and soap scum buildup. Once these residues are cleared, your shower drain should flow smoothly. Just be careful when you’re handling the boil water because it will burn you.

White Vinegar and Baking Soda

If boiling water isn’t strong enough, make a concoction of distilled white vinegar and baking soda. Then pour the solution down your drain. This is basically a homemade drain cleaner, but without all of the harsh chemicals and damaging ingredients. You may need to repeat this a few times to get the drain entirely cleared. Oftentimes, this vinegar and baking soda solution is well paired with an auger, also known as a drain snake.

Drain Snake

A drain snake is a long, thin, plastic, flexible, handheld auger that is used to dislodge any obstructions within a drain. Drain snakes can be purchased for as little as one dollar at any local department or grocery store. You can literally find them anywhere that sells regular home goods or household products. To use an auger, simply push it deep into the drain as far as you can, then turn it a few times before pulling it out. You will be shocked to see what comes out with it!

Wire Hook

You can also use a metal hook in the same way you would use a drain snake to dislodge any obstructions within the shower drain. Just be careful using this method because you can accidentally poke or stab yourself. Most people will take a wire hanger and unwind it to form a hook and handle. This works really well when you don’t have an auger on hand.

Licensed Plumber

Your last resort is to contact a licensed Indianapolis plumber for drain cleaning and clearing service. They have the proper tools and resources to promptly resolve drain issues. Because drain clearing is typically an easy and speedy service, you can expect it to be affordable as well.

Do you need some professional drain clearing and cleaning service for your shower, sink, bathtub, or outdoor drains? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for professional plumbing service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We serve residential and commercial clients.

Bathroom Plumbing Repair Hacks for the Handy Homeowner

Posted on December 20, 2021 by weilhammerplumbing

Your bathroom might arguably be the most important room in your house. Just think about it. If you were forced to get rid of a room in your house, the bathroom would not even be on the list of options! From the bathtub and shower to the toilet, sink, drains, and more, no one can live without a functioning bathroom. So, when plumbing problems present themselves, the frustration and inconvenience meters tend to go off the charts.

If you live in a home with fussy bathroom plumbing, you would be smart to equip yourself with some DIY knowledge. This can help you get yourself out of jam without the help of a plumber. Of course, there are times when you absolutely need a plumber.

Continue reading to learn some helpful bathroom plumbing repair hacks, plus which plumbing company to trust for emergency service in Central Indiana!

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Bathroom Hacks for Plumbing Problems

Toilets

You don’t want your toilet in the fritz, especially if it’s the only one in the house! Not only is a broken toilet inconvenient, but it can also lead to some nasty messes. Common toilet problems include slow flushing, clogged toilet, backed up toilet, running toilet, loose lever, loose toilet seat, toilet leaks, and even toilet stains.

First, do not flush things down your toilet that don’t belong! But more importantly, toilet leaks are the most serious toilet plumbing issue, so it’s important to test your toilet to ensure it is leak-free. Do this by using some household food coloring. Do not use blue if you have a toilet bowl insert that already turns your water blue. Add a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank, not the bowl. Then flush the toilet. Wait a few minutes, then lift the lid. If you see color in the toilet bowl, you might have a leak. Call an Indy plumber right away.

Sinks

Sinks are notorious for having low water pressure. If your faucet is showing signs of low water pressure, you may need to clean the aerator. It’s easy! Just grab an old toothbrush that you can dedicate to dirty work, then simply unscrew the faucet tip. You might need a wrench if it’s on tight. Scrub the aerator clean with warm water and then reassemble. If you have hard water problems, you may need to repeat this hack on a routine basis.

Clogs are another common bathroom sink problem. Install a drain strainer to prevent unwanted constituents from clogging it all up, like hair and dental floss.

Bathtubs

Your bathtub is a sanctuary. So, when it begins to lose water mid-bath, the luxury of it all seems to go down the drain with it. A simple repair hack for a checking the sealant on your bathtub’s drain stopper is to simply fill the tub with water, mark the water line, and then wait. After an hour, see if the water level has dropped. If so, you may need to re-caulk the drain or replace the stopper.

Showers

The biggest problem with showers is reduced water pressure. And a cakey shower head is the most common culprit. To open your shower head nodules and spouts back up, disconnect your shower head and place it in a bag filled with distilled white vinegar. Allow it to soak overnight and then rinse it clean in the morning before reattaching. The vinegar will dissolve the limescale buildup and improve your shower head performance.

Drains

Clogs are by far the most frequent problems with bathroom drains. Install a drain strainer or mesh cover to prevent unwanted objects from obstructing them, like hair, cotton swabs, dental floss, soap residues, makeup, and more. Also, get yourself a good, old-fashioned drain auger, also called a snake. These can help unclog any drain.

Is your bathroom in need of emergency plumbing assistance? Or perhaps some routine plumbing service? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for a wide range of professional plumbing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients and offer free advice.

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How to Remove Hair From a Bathroom Drain

Posted on April 21, 2021 by weilhammerplumbing

Getting hair stuck in the bathroom drain is one thing, but dealing with a perpetually clogged drain due to a long time buildup of hair and residue is beyond frustrating. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to fix this problem. All you need are a few supplies and a little elbow grease, or just a phone to call for professional plumbing assistance.

Continue reading to learn how to remove hair from bathroom drain, and who to call for trusted Indianapolis plumbing advice and service at an affordable price.

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Need to Get Hair Out of the Bathroom Drain?

There is no shame in having a little hair buildup in your bathroom drain. People shed, and will continue to do so as long as we have hair on our bodies. Naturally, when we bathe, all of that shedding hair comes off of us and goes down into our drains. For those who often style their hair over the bathroom sink, hair in the drain can also be a recurrent issue. What’s worse is, it doesn’t take very much hair to clog up a drain. But as mentioned, there are some simple ways to resolve such issues.

Flush Your Drain With Extremely Hot Water

One of the best methods, and easiest for that matter, is to simply flush your bathroom drain with extremely hot water. In fact, no matter what method you end up using, always start with this one first. It helps to dissolve the soap and oils that are holding all of the clumped hair together inside your drain. So, if you do this at first, it makes all other methods more effective.

You can choose to turn up the temperature gauge on your water heater and run the faucet for several minutes, or you can boil water on your stove and then dump it down your drain. Just be sure to use extreme caution if you are carrying boiling water from your stove to your bathroom. If you decide to turn your water heater temperature gauge up, be sure you remember to turn it back down to a safe range when you are finished.

If this method doesn’t work, try these:

► Baking Soda and Distilled White Vinegar

A homemade, non-toxic drain cleaner is a great second strategy to go for if your bathroom drain is still clogged with hair after pouring hot water down it. Simply combine equal parts baking soda and distilled white vinegar, usually 1 cup each is good, and then pour that solution down the drain. Allow it to sit for several minutes, up to 20 if you have time, and then rinse it thoroughly with hot water. This method is often effective because the chemical reaction that is created when vinegar and baking soda come into contact with each other helps to loosen any hair that it is stuck to the side of plumbing pipes.

► Manual Drain Cleaning

When all else fails, you can always rely on good old elbow grease to get the job done. Go to your local store and buy a drain auger or drain snake. Don’t get too fancy, a simple plastic one for a few dollars will do the trick. Most drain augers, regardless of price point, come with a set of instructions. Simply follow these instructions and be marveled at how much hair it actually pulls out of your drain. As mentioned, it helps to perform strategies one and two before taking a manual approach, as it will make the job much easier for yourself.

Have you tried everything in your bathroom drains just won’t unclog? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for affordable and prompt clogged drain plumbing service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients, and offer free plumbing advice.

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Why Does My Bathtub Drain Smell Bad?

Posted on October 23, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

If your nose is starting to pick up on a sewage-like smell in your bathroom, don’t assume it’s your toilet. Often times, bathtub drains can start to emit a smell that is similar to sewer water or even rotten eggs. There are industry-proven reasons why this plumbing circumstance occurs, and several easy solutions to treatment and prevention!

Continue reading to learn what’s causing your bathtub drain to stink, and what you can do to fix the problem.

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Smelly Bathtub Drain

Are you someone that usually showers, but every now and then takes a nice soak in your bathtub? If so, you are likely more prone to a stinky drain problem. One of the most common causes for a smelly bathtub drain is bacteria accumulation or growth, which can occur if there is standing water within the plumbing pipes near the drain.

A rotten egg smell suggests that your water has a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide gas, which comes from bacteria growth as a result of soap, dirt, hair, and other materials sitting inside the pipes. A simple way to remove the smell is to simply run some hot water for a few minutes, and move the standing water through your plumbing system.

Still Smells Bad?

Sometimes, even after clearing the standing water, the drain will still emit a slight odor, or later, the odor will come back full-strength. This happens as a result of residual bacteria within the drain and surrounding pipes. To resolve this issue, simply concoct a homemade, non-toxic drain cleaner and use it to cleanse and sanitize your bathtub drain. To use your solution, start by emptying all the water from the tub.

Then pour one cup of baking soda down the clogged drain. Use a wooden spoon to pack it all the way down inside the drain. Follow up with one cup of distilled white vinegar and allow the mixture to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Finish by running hot water from the faucet down into the drain for several minutes. If the clog still hasn’t cleared, repeat this step or contact an Indianapolis plumber for emergency drain service.

Drain Protection and Prevention

Routine drain cleaning is one strongly recommended approach to ensuring optimal drain performance and utility. However, it is also important to ensure you do your part to prevent clogged drains and defects. See our blog, “Don’t Make These 5 Drain Cleaning Mistakes” to help you organize a safe and effective care plan for your home’s drains. Got a sink drainage problem, instead? Read our blog, “How to Fix a Slow Draining Sink” to learn what you can do.

Need Professional Drain Clearing in Indianapolis?

Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for residential and commercial drain clearance and plumbing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our state-licensed master plumbers have been in the plumbing business for over 100 years because we have earned the trust of thousands of Hoosiers all across the city as a result of our professional service and outstanding results. Request a free estimate or advice, today.

How to Clean With Undiluted White Vinegar

Posted on March 13, 2018 by weilhammerplumbing

There are several items right in your very own kitchen that provide cheaper and environmentally-friendly alternatives for cleaning and sanitizing. Items like lemons, baking soda, and even vanilla extract are all chemical-free alternatives to everyday cleaning solutions. One of the safest and most effective eco-friendly alternatives to using toxic chemicals is cleaning with vinegar. Apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, and more are all popular types of vinegar found in the kitchen pantry; but when it comes to cleaning, both diluted and undiluted white vinegar is the optimal choice.

Continue reading to learn what you can clean around the house using diluted and undiluted white vinegar.

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Diluted White Vinegar

Diluted white vinegar is only mildly acidic, so it’s perfect for dissolving dirt, limescale, hard water deposits, soap scum, and other residues from smooth or delicate surfaces. Although acidic enough to dissolve caked-on residues, it can also be gentle enough to clean hardwood floors when combined with fresh water. It is a natural deodorizer that absorbs odors rather than covering them up. So it not only rids unwanted dirt and residue, it freshens the surface and removes odors as well.

It may seem like your surfaces will only smell of vinegar after cleaning, but the acidic smell evaporates and goes away as it dries. And since white vinegar is colorless and lacks coloring agents, it will not stain tile, flooring, grout, marble, granite, or other surfaces. One interesting fact about diluted white vinegar is that it can replace fabric softener! Since it has detergent residue cutting abilities, it softens fabrics for those with sensitive skin.

To use on countertops, tiles, backsplashes, toilets, and similar kitchen and bathroom surfaces, simply add white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply as needed. Then just wipe away with a clean rag as you would with any other store-bought cleaning solution. For extra soiled surfaces, warm the solution up just slightly, and allow it to sit on the surface for 15 minutes before rinsing clean.

Undiluted White Vinegar

Undiluted white vinegar is simply white vinegar, straight-up. It is not cut with water to make its acidity levels lower. It is very acidic, but still perfect for tougher around-the-house chores. Heaver soap scum deposits on shower walls, sinks, and more can all be cleaned with undiluted white vinegar.

Tough hard water deposits, clogged shower heads, mineral buildup on faucets, stained toilet bowls, tough toilet odors, refrigerator odors, soiled bathtubs, and more can all be cleaned with undiluted white vinegar as well. Be sure to use gloves and protective eye gear when working with large quantities of acidic solutions like these. Eye and skin irritation can occur for some.

To clean a caked or clogged shower head, fill a plastic bag with undiluted white vinegar, place it around the shower head so that the head is submerged in the liquid. Then secure the bag around the head with a tie or band. Allow it to sit overnight, then rinse thoroughly the next day.

Indianapolis Plumbing Repair Pros

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for master plumbing repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. If your plumbing fixtures are old, we can replace them! If you have plumbing repair needs, we maintain the most economical prices in town! We have been in business for over 100 years because we have earned the trust of thousands of Hoosiers all across the city as a result of our professional service and outstanding results. Request a free estimate or plumbing advice, today.