The Causes Of Shower Drain Clogs

Drain cleaning can be a huge pain in the neck. If you have a backed up drain in your shower or sink, clearing the junk out of it can take time and, in serious cases, money to repair. There are a number of things that can cause a shower drain to be backed up. Avoiding these the best you can will help keep drain clogs from forming and save you the annoyance of clearing them out.

Hair

While thinking about the hair that goes down your shower drain can be rather disgusting and, perhaps, a little disheartening, there is no getting around the fact that hair is a serious cause of clogged drains. Hair builds up over time and multiple showers, gets caught in the drain, and eventually keeps water from flowing freely. Having wet hair sitting in your pipes can not only be annoying, but can cause significant damage if allowed to stay. There are numerous devices you can use to get the hair out, including store bought catchers and even a normal, everyday hanger. Check your drain often to ensure there is no hair build up.

Soap and Shampoo

Soap and shampoo are necessities for any shower, but over time these items can cause erosion and clogs. Soap is especially worrisome in bar form, when pieces can fall off and get jammed inside the drain, catching other things, like hair, that come down after it. Besides the chunks of soap, sticky films from shampoo and scum from the soap can build up along the sides of the pipes, narrow the opening and making it more difficult for the shower to drain itself.

Chemicals

If you have a drain that is clogged, try not to use any of the liquid drain clearing options to fix the problem. While these may seem to work at first, with continuous use they may actually make the problem worse. These chemicals erode the pipes and make them weaker over time, meaning that eventually you will need to replace the pipes or risk them falling apart completely. If a drain is causing you considerable problems, consider calling in a professional to help you out before going with one of the chemical solutions. While it may seem like more of a chore, in the long run, your pipes will be stronger and are at a lower risk to burst and flood your bathroom.

Everyone, at some point, deals with a clogged shower drain. Be it from hair, soap scum, or other reasons, it is best to get the drain fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage. If the drain is too much for you to deal with on your own, call in a professional who will be able to solve your problem and save you from any future issues.