Shower drains are one of the easiest drainage systems that can get clogged up. But plunging the shower drain can make the situation worse. In such situations, you might wonder, “plunging shower drain made it worse!”
The common items that cause shower drain cannot be plunged away. That’s why when you are plunging the clogged drain, the blockage becomes more stuck and making the situation worse. On the other hand, covering the overflow is the right way to plunge a shower drain.
To know about this and more causes and fixes of a shower drain blockage, read this article now!
Plunging Shower Drain Made It Worse- Causes and Fixes
A clogged shower drain can be a problem for anyone. But this bad situation can easily turn into one of your worst nightmares if it gets worse after you tried to plunge it. In this situation, you might think then, “Why does plunging make the shower drain worse?”
Let’s now try to understand the cause of this as well as go through the fix.
Basic Cause
A shower drain clog is removed using a plunger by dividing it up and pushing it through the drain under pressure.
Unfortunately, a shower drain blockage is unlikely to be cleared by the force from a plunger. Instead, it will simply move the debris further and unscathed down the drain pipe.
The obstruction is still there, but it has moved even further into your plumbing, which is why your shower drains slowly or not at all.
Simple Fix
Covering the overflow is the proper way to clear your shower drain with a plunger. Remove the cover, cover the opening with a rag, and then use hand force to seal the overflow.
You let the plunger build and keep up the force in the drainage pipe, perhaps clearing the obstruction. Then, put it across the shower drain while running an inch or two of water to strengthen the seal.
Run the water to see if the clog has been cleared and the water is once again freely draining after firmly using the plunger for approximately one to two minutes.
What Causes Shower Drain to Clog?
Shower drains are designed very delicately. That is why, when different types of objects are carried through these drains, blockages can form. Your shower drain can become clogged for a number of reasons, including hair, sediment deposit, soapy residue, and other things.
Cause 01: Hair
The frequent clogging of shower drains by hair surely doesn’t come as a major surprise. Hair is the most common item that makes the drains clog up and make your life miserable.
Whenever you take a bath, you can be sure that some of your hair is falling down and going through the pipe. And after a long period of time, these hairs get tangled and cause the drain to clog. Moreover, when you use the trimmer in the bath, the shaven hair also causes blockage.
Cause 02: Sludge Buildup
Hard water, defined as water that includes very significant concentrations of minerals, like calcium, causes sediment buildup.
The accumulation of silt damages your water heater in addition to sticking to and eventually clogging your drain lines.
Hot water causes sludge to accumulate, making the shower one of your home’s most vulnerable areas.
Cause 03: Soap and Shampoo foam
Hard water and soap or shampoo combine to build scum, which over time constricts the drain path and stops the water from flowing. Additionally, it covers the bathtubs, sinks, and showers.
It is challenging to remove soap scum once it solidifies.
In most cases, soaps contain animal fats like grease, talc, and wax that can clog your shower drain, especially when paired with hairs and mineral deposits in the water.
Cause 04: Foreign Objects
Sometimes you let accidental objects, like jewelry or a toy, go down your drain. When this occurs, your shower drain may become blocked. For this reason, having a visual check of your shower drain is usually helpful.
4 Fixes To Unclog Your Shower Drain
At this point, you might be worrying too much about your shower drain getting clogged. As well as you might be trying to find the answer to the question, “How to fix a clogged shower drain?”
Fix 01: Start Removing The Blockage by Hand
Sometimes a clog is clearly apparent and reachable near the surface. Wear a pair of latex gloves and try to remove the obstruction as much as you can. There are tiny plastic hooks designed specifically for this use.
While it may be easy to choose a wire hanger in this situation, be cautious as doing so could harm your drain.
Fix 02: Get a Drain Snake
A plumber’s snake commonly referred to as a drain snake, is a flexible, retractable drilling instrument that you may purchase at hardware stores. A metal wire will be sent down your drain using the hand crank of the snake to either break up or remove any obstructions.
There are also disposable plastic snakes that don’t require any cranking and can even be used to unclog a toilet. After using your drain snake, make sure you clean it.
Fix 03: Pouring Boiling Water
You may flush a shower drain with boiling water. Use a funnel to ensure the water doesn’t splatter around and goes straight down the shower drain as needed to prevent damage to the tub. This is a secure and reliable method for clearing a clogged shower drain.
Take your time when dumping hot water into a shower drain. By doing this, you can keep the shower drain clear and maintain its desired level of functionality.
When attempting to carry out tasks properly, this is a requirement.
Fix 04: Try An Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaner
Traditional removal methods like Drano typically don’t perform as well as they advertise and are loaded with dangerous chemicals. On minor blockages, natural DIY cleansers may be equally as efficient as chemical ones.
Combine one bowl of baking soda with one glass of vinegar. After loosening the obstruction with boiling water, add the baking soda vinegar solution and wait 15 minutes. Use more hot water to rinse.
Dos and Don’ts of Appropriate Plunger Use
Not knowing how to use your plunger properly might make the situation worse as you may already know. That is why you should always remember the dos and don’ts of plunging your shower drain.
Don’ts:
- If you used a chemical drain opener, DO NOT use the plunger. The poisonous liquid could splash on your skin and burn you with chemicals.
- DON’T plunge a clog with too much force. The trap and drain line connection might be ruined by excessive pressure.
Dos:
- Don’t use wet dishcloths to block the overflow drain. Take the plunger, place it over the drain in a straight line, and make numerous firm downward and upward plunges. Use a bit extra pressure to jolt the plunger up and out on your final plunge.
- If plunging didn’t work, DO use a plumber’s snake. You know you’ve found the blockage when you run into resistance. Continue to crank while turning the auger.
4 Tips for Maintaining Shower Drain
The best way to avoid a bad clog is to prevent the clog in the first place. Knowing what to do for preventing shower drain clogs can help you in the long run. Here are some tips for maintaining a shower drain.
Tip 01: Get a Drain screen
Your shower’s drain screen might have disappeared at some point over time, or you might discover that it currently allows a little too much dirt to pass through. I
Purchase a net drain screen in either scenario. Although they are not always simple to clean, they are inexpensive enough to be tossed aside once they have gathered enough dirt.
Tip 02: Keep An Eye on What Drains
Although your drains are remarkably durable, there are several things you should never pour down the drain. Homeowners have been known to dump all sorts of things through their shower room drains that shouldn’t have been there.
Grease, dishwater, and dirty mop water are all inappropriate for the bathtub if you wouldn’t flush them or put them in the kitchen sink.
Tip 03: Maintain a Clean Tub
Every shower should be “chased” with hot water, plus baking soda should be regularly poured down the drain (along with lots of hot water, of course). Baking soda is an excellent cleanser that keeps drains clear.
Tip 04: Simple Drain Cleaning
Three-quarters of a bowl of baking soda and half a glass of vinegar should be poured down the drain. Because the solution will bubble up, cover the drainage with the plunger or a rag.
20 to 30 minutes should be given for the mixture to sit; after that, carefully pour a pot of hot water down the drain. then use cold water. This will unclog the shower drain obstruction.
FAQ
Can plunging cause damage?
Never plunge a clog with too much power. You require a professional’s assistance if typical plunging pressure won’t cause the drain to open. Plunging too hard can harm the drain pipe and result in leaks.
Avoid plunging into obvious big impediments as well as obstructions that call for additional force. Avoid the temptation to plunge the drain if your child sends a toy truck through the drain, you spill chicken bones down the sink by accident, or anything oddly shaped slips into another drain.
How do you know if plunging worked?
Plunge the plunger into the bowl to completely cover the exit hole. Rod claimed that when plummeting, most people just pay attention to the downward force. However, the pullback is as crucial.
The toilet should be flushed after a few good down and up movements with the plunger. You’ve succeeded in unclogging the toilet if the water drains from it. Simply shut the flapper to prevent water from accessing the bowl if the water starts to overflow once more. Till your clog is gone, keep repeating the plunging and flush procedure.
Can you plunge too hard?
Many homeowners become overzealous and force their plunger too deeply into the toilet in an effort to remove whatever is obstructing it.
The waxed barrier around the toilet and floor can be damaged by a forceful downward movement, which will result in a leak. A very ferocious shove might even fracture the bowl.
Conclusion
Taking the wrong steps to unclog your shower drain might be more damaging. But thanks to this article, “Plunging Shower Drain Made It Worse-Causes and Fixes”, you know how to tackle the worst situations.
You should be also aware of the general causes and fixes of the shower drain blockage. Because a smooth shower drain can make your life smoother.
Amos Christen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Drexel University — Philadelphia, PA. Since 2003, Amos has worked with top interior design professionals in this area, including architects and interior/graphic/lighting designers. As a skilled interior designer, Amos Christen is highly versed in fine arts and crafts and uses that to supplement his main area of expertise. He often publishes articles related to home décor on several websites, including Sprucetoilets.com, Sprucebathroom.com, and Mybesuitedhome.com. He also contributes to leading interior design magazines.