Why Does My Shower Take Forever To Drain?
As a homeowner, it’s never a good sign to see the water in your tub linger after you turn the shower off. While it may signal little more than excess hair in the drain, it could also be a clue that there is a major issue lurking within your plumbing system. Let’s take a closer look at the causes of slow drains, how to keep them running properly again and how to keep them clean for months or years to come.
Causes of Slow Drains
A slow drain may be caused by a buildup of material inside of it. For instance, it isn’t uncommon for hair, oil on your skin or other debris to clog a pipe to the point where water can’t get through it in a timely manner. Soap, shampoo and other items typically used to get clean can also build up inside of a pipe and cause a clog or blockage.
Of course, physical objects can also lead to blockages inside of a tub drain. For instance, your wedding ring, a razor blade or a child’s toy could get inside of a pipe and make it difficult or impossible for a pipe to work properly.
Although unlikely, there is a chance that a root is growing inside of the pipe or that a pest has made its residence inside of it. A root, nest or even a dead rodent might be enough to block the flow of water.
How to Remedy the Issue
The steps that you’ll take to get a pipe in good working order depend on the type of clog you’re dealing with. The location of the clog is also going to determine how you work to remove it.
If the clog is caused by hair or some other object that can be pulled out, you may be able to remove it by hand. Although it may sound gross, you should be able to get rid of hair or similar debris without much harm. However, you’ll want to wear gloves when reaching into the pipe for protection.
Clogs caused by soap, shampoo or other organic materials will likely need to be broken up and flushed down the line. This can be done by pouring boiling water down the pipe or a combination of baking soda and vinegar. A snake can also be used to break up material into smaller chunks.
A plunger may be an effective tool for clogs that are located closer to the top of the drain. Meanwhile, augers are often your best bet for clogs deeper in a pipe as they come in multiple lengths to meet your needs.
For blockages deep in a pipe, it may be necessary to remove the pipe so that it can be cleaned by hand. Cameras or other specialized equipment may be needed to pinpoint the location of the blockage or to allow for greater precision in treating it without damaging the pipe or other plumbing system components.
How to Keep Your Shower Drain Clean
One of the easiest ways to prevent a clog is to engage in routine preventative maintenance. For example, you can use a hair catcher to prevent it from getting into the pipe. Instead, it will collect in a trap that you can clean out every few days or weeks as needed.
You can also pour hot water down pipes every few days to flush them out. This prevents a significant amount of material from building up to the point where a blockage can occur.
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t use chemical cleaners as they can damage pipes. In addition, there is no guarantee that they will work any better than hot water or other natural remedies. Ideally, you’ll call a professional for assistance if you can’t remove a clog or blockage in a timely manner without chemicals.
Finally, you can invest in a routine maintenance plan to keep your shower operating like it should. Doing so means that a professional will inspect, clean and otherwise ensure that your plumbing system is working properly at all times.
If you need assistance keeping your shower in good condition, call the team at Benjamin Franklin today. We will do whatever it takes to meet your needs in a timely and affordable manner, and we promise to do the job right the first time. If there is any delay, it’s you we will pay, so you have nothing to lose by letting us help you.
