Unclog a Shower or Bathtub Full of Hair
Is water rising in the shower tray? It's often a clump of hair and soap. How to remove it easily without calling the plumber.
Recommended Materials
- Wire hanger (or drain snake)
- Baking soda and Vinegar
- Screwdriver
- Long tweezers
Steps to follow
Step 1
Remove the grid or cover of the shower drain (often clipped or screwed). Clean it of accumulated hair and soap residue.
Step 2
Look inside with a flashlight: the hair clog is often accessible and visible, just at the entrance of the trap or stuck in the cross of the drain. Use long tweezers or a wire bent into a small hook (an unfolded wire hanger works) to grab the ball of hair and pull it towards you.
Step 3
It's not pleasant but it's the most effective and fastest mechanical method. Remove everything you can grab.
Step 4
Once the bulk of the clog is removed, pour a mixture of a cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar to dissolve soap residue, grease, and skin that stick the hair together.
Step 5
Leave on for 30 minutes (it foams), then rinse by pouring a kettle of boiling water all at once.
Step 6
If the clog is located further down the pipe, use a plunger: fill the bottom of the tray with water, block the overflow with a wet cloth so that the pressure is effective, and pump vigorously.
Step 7
Preventive maintenance: pour coffee grounds in the sink? NO, never in the shower! Coffee grounds mixed with long hair and soap create a clog as hard as concrete. Throw it in the trash or compost. To maintain, pour a bucket of boiling water once a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are chemical products like Drano good ?
They are effective on organic matter (caustic soda) but very polluting for water and dangerous for you. Use only as a last resort if the mechanical method fails.
How to prevent it from coming back ?
Install a small filter grid (hair catcher) in silicone or stainless steel on the drain and empty it after each shower. It's the best investment.
Precautions
- Do not force with the wire to avoid piercing the plastic trap.
- Wear gloves.
