How to Fix a Clogged Shower Drain – DIY Solutions for Common Issues

If your shower is clogged, you can use one or several DIY methods to clear it. These include a plumber’s snake, boiling water, a wire coat hanger, and baking soda and vinegar.

Recall your elementary school science class and mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar in a heat-resistant cup. The resulting foamy chemical reaction can break up a minor clog caused by hair or grime.

1. Use a Plumber’s Snake

Put on some gloves and safety goggles before starting. Then, remove the shower drain cover and grate. Guide the snake’s metal cable down into the pipe until you encounter resistance. It should hook onto the clog, and you can turn the handle to “auger” it up out of the drain.

Most clogs in a shower drain occur in the P-trap directly below the drain opening, and a snake should be able to dislodge them without needing to enter the main plumbing line. If the clog is farther down the line, you’ll need to call a plumber for a more in-depth drain clean-out. This requires a larger snake inserted from the main clean-out fitting, which only a professional can safely do. A plumber can also better diagnose more serious clogs.

2. Boil Water

Many household cleaning products sold in stores, including those at Woolies and Bunnings, contain chemicals that can be corrosive to your pipes. If you’re not comfortable using strong chemical cleaners or just want a more natural solution, try pouring boiling water down the drain.

This trick can work to break down clumps of hair or soap scum that are holding the drain together, and it’s relatively simple. Just boil a pot of water and slowly pour it down the shower drain.

It’s important to wear rubber gloves while doing this, as the steam from the hot water may burn your skin. If the clog still hasn’t cleared, try one of the other methods in this article.

3. Use a Wire Hanger

The best DIY tools for a clogged shower drain are often some of the simplest. For example, you can try using a wire coat hanger to get rid of hair and other organic materials that have become stuck in the drain.

Put on rubber gloves and remove the drain cover. Straighten out a wire coat hanger, then bend one end into a small hook. Insert the hook into the drain, jiggle it around, and pull up whatever you can.

Repeat the process with a kettle of boiling water to flush the pipes and loosen any remaining hair or other debris. This method is effective because it breaks down grease and soap scum that can block the drain. It’s also an economical alternative to a commercial solution.

4. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

This household combination serves as a natural drain cleaner and can dislodge most hair clogs without damaging your pipes. It’s also inexpensive and easy to do.

Pour about a cup of baking soda down the drain and follow with a similar amount of distilled white vinegar. You’ll notice the drain fizzing; this is a chemical reaction that often dislodges clogs.

Let the mixture sit for about an hour. When you’re ready to check if it worked, heat two cups of water and flush the drain with hot water.

If the drain still isn’t clear, use another method from this list or consider using a liquid plumber to eat at your clog. Once the drain is free, you’ll be able to prevent future slow shower drains with a new drain cover.

5. Unscrew the Drain

After you’ve removed the drain cover, if there are screws holding it in place, use a screwdriver to loosen them. Set the screws aside somewhere safe to avoid losing them.

Then, grab a pair of adjustable pliers and grip the edges of the drain. Start twisting counterclockwise to loosen it. If you encounter resistance, spray on more lubricant to help.

If you’re dealing with a stubborn clog, try using a plastic drain clog remover tool ($7, The Home Depot) that looks like an extra-large zip strip with spikes. Insert the tool down the drain to snag hair and other debris, then pull it out. This trick can take some patience and persistence, but it’s usually worth the effort. Be sure to wear rubber gloves.