Tag Archives: shower drain repair

7 Things You Can Do to Unclog Your Shower Drain

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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.

Drain Clearing Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870
Drain Clearing Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870

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.

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How to Retrieve Items that Fall Down the Shower Drain

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Bathroom Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

Bathroom Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

Last week, we talked about how to get lost items out of a sink drain. But if you lose something down the shower drain, the process of retrieving it is a bit different. Unfortunately, it is a bit more difficult to retrieve lost items down the shower drain, but this doesn’t mean it is not possible. So if you are currently scratching your head and wondering how you’re going to get your earring out of the shower drain, you came to the right place! Continue reading for a brief guide to retrieving lost items that fall down a shower drain.

What You’ll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Long Apparatus
• Wet-Dry Vacuum
• Rubber Gloves
• Flashlight

Magnet on a String

If the object you lost down the drain is made of metal, you may have some luck using a strong magnet tied to the end of a string. Although this sounds rudimentary, it is often very effective and efficient. You can purchase a magnet that will work at any fabric or craft store, craft aisle, or hardware store. They are cheap and can be easily tied to a string. But be sure to use a sturdy string, like yarn or wool. Thread is sometimes not strong enough, and breaks off too easily. If you do not have luck with this age-old magnet trick, it is recommended to call a plumber for professional assistance, or simply use the DIY guide below!

Getting Started…

Shut off the water. For obvious reasons, if you keep the water running, you risk pushing your lost object further down the drain. The quicker you turn the water off, the better your chances will be of retrieving your item of value.

Remove the drain cover. The drain cover, also called a stopper, will most likely be screwed in, so you will need your screwdriver for this step. Be sure to save the small screws in a safe place so you can replace the drain cover later.

Once the drain is expose, use your flashlight to peer inside. If you can see your lost object close up, you can try to pull it out with your hands. Drains can be dirty so wear rubber gloves for safety.

If you do not see it, use a long apparatus to feel around for your lost object. You can use an unraveled wire coat hanger, long grabbing stick, chopstick, or any other apparatus that feels comfortable and small enough to fit inside the shower drain.

If none of the above works, it is time to use your wet-dry vacuum. On the wet setting, vacuum up the contents inside your shower drain. Listen for any clinking noises, and after a few minutes check the vacuum receptacle for your lost object. You may be surprised what else you find!

When finished, replace the drain cover using your screwdriver.

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc.

Weilhammer Plumbing Company Indianapolis Indiana

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for shower drain repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is dedicated to providing economical and effective plumbing services for all home and property owners in Central Indiana. Whether you have light plumbing repair needs, or heavy-duty complex master plumber needs, we are the professionals to call for prompt services and quality results. Call 317-784-1870 to ask about our current plumbing specials this month, or to request a free estimate for Indianapolis plumbing repair, today.