Dealing with a clogged drain in your bathtubs or showers due to hair accumulation is the most frustrating and common household issue. Some people immediately call a plumber seeking professional plumbing services, while others use harsh chemical drain cleaners to unclog a tub drain or shower drain, causing damage to their plumbing systems.
However, the good news is that there are some simple and effective tricks to tackle this issue head-on. Continue reading to find ingenious solutions on how to get hair out of the shower drain.
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Home Remedies to Get Hair Out of Shower Drain
If you need help with a clogged tub drain, shower, or bathroom sink, consider these methods to solve the problem.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking Soda and Vinegar are a highly effective way of dispatching hair clogs. Below are the steps on how to dissolve hair in drains.
- Pour half or one cup of baking soda onto the blocked drain, followed immediately with an equal part of vinegar. This chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar will produce effervescence.
- Allow the mixture to set for 5-10 minutes. Then, pour one liter of boiling water down the drain.
- Turn on the faucet to check if the water drains properly.
Use the Manual Hand Method
A simple and easy method is manually removing the hair using your hands.
- Remove the shower or bathtub drain cover by lifting it.
- Wear gloves and pull out the hair clogs and debris as much as possible by reaching into the drain. Alternatively, you can use tweezers or needle-nose pliers.
- Repeat the process until the drain is completely unclogged.
Use a Plunger
You can use a plunger for unclogging a bathtub drain. A sink or standard plunger is used for bathroom sinks, tubs, or shower drains. It is ideal for flat surfaces like a tub or sink as it has a rubber cup at the end of the wooden/plastic handle. It can easily lay flat over the drain.
Here’s how to unclog a bathtub drain using a plunger:
- Position the plunger over the drain hole, ensuring it covers it completely.
- Pour water into the bathtub, shower, or bathroom sink until the plunger is submerged to create a good seal around it.
- Repeatedly pump the plunger up and down about seven to eight times to create a strong suction.
- Remove the plunger from the drain to see if the water is draining. If it’s not, continue plunging until you notice an improvement.
- Once the drain is unclogged, pour one liter of boiling water down the drain to further dissolve any remaining grease or soap scum contributing to the clog.
Use a Plumbing Drain Snake
A drain snake, also called a plumbing snake or drain auger, is an unclogging device to remove hair clogs from drains.
- Insert the snake’s coiled end into the drain.
- Push the snake into the drain and rotate the handle clockwise. The turning motion helps the snake navigate through bends and obstructions in the pipe.
- Slowly pull the snake from the drain while continuing to turn the handle. It will pull the clog out with it.
- Remove the hair, debris, and all the other clogs from the end of the drain snake by twisting it counter-clockwise.
- To ensure the clog is completely cleared, pour a liter or half of boiling water down the drain.
How to Prevent Hair From Clogging Drains
It is essential to prevent clogs from happening in the first place to avoid the cost of professional plumbing services and expensive chemical drain cleaners.
Here are several steps you can take to prevent hair clogs in your drains:
Regularly Remove Visible Hair
Remove any visible hair from the drain holes using a tissue or paper towel after using the shower or bathtub. It is the quickest and easiest way to remove hair from shower drain.
Pour Boiling Water
Boiling water can be effective in melting away hair clogs. Pour at least one liter of hot water weekly down the drain. This will help to dissolve grime in your pipes and prevent hair clogs from forming, ensuring a smooth water flow along the drain lines.
Brush Your Hair Before Taking a Shower
If you want to prevent the shower drain clogged with hair, brush your hair before a shower to detangle your hair. It restrains hair fallouts that accumulate on your drain.
Use a Sink Strainer
A sink strainer typically has a stainless steel mesh that can easily fit into your drain holes. It allows water to pass through while trapping hair out of your plumbing systems. We highly recommend using the Maxware Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Sink Strainer for your shower drain. Remove the sink strainer regularly and clean it to prevent hair buildup and clogging of your drain lines.
Use the TubShroom Bathtub Drain Protector
Say goodbye to hair in drain lines with the revolutionary TubShroom hair catcher. TubShroom hair catcher is compatible with any tub drain, as adapters for smaller and larger drains are included.
It fits inside bathtub drain openings and can easily catch human and pet hair without disrupting water flow. When it’s time to clean up, wipe TubShroom off and DONE!
For less than $15, it is the most affordable yet effective option for a bathtub unclogger available in the market.
Need a Professional Plumber? Contact Deluxe Plumbers Today!
When all the above-mentioned home remedies fail to unclog hair from the shower drain, it’s time to call an expert plumber. For professional drain cleaning services, trust none other than Deluxe Plumbers. Through our network of skilled and licensed plumbers, we vett you only the best plumbers in your vicinity to address your plumbing needs in no time.
So, the next time you’re stumped on how to unclog a bathtub drain full of hair, feel free to contact Deluxe Plumbers before the problem worsens.
FAQs
How Frequently Should I Clean My Shower Drain to Prevent Hair Buildup?
Try to clean your shower or bathtub drain at least once a week or two. If water drains more slowly than usual, it may be a sign to clean it more often.
Can I Use Chemical Drain Cleaners to Remove Hair Clogs?
Chemical drain cleaners can be quick and effective but harsh and may damage your plumbing system over time. Therefore, trying a home remedy for clogged drains with hair is better.
What Are The Cons of a Shower or Bathtub Drain Clogged Besides Slow Drainage?
If left unaddressed, a clogged shower or bathtub drain can lead to unpleasant odors, mold growth, and potentially expensive plumbing issues.