A clogged shower drain is a common annoyance for homeowners. Whether it’s a lot of hair, soap scum, or something else entirely, it’s likely you need to take a few preventative measures to prevent a shower clog.
As common as it is, drain clogs are dangerous for your plumbing system, and you don’t want to know that a few strands of hair were the reason you had to call emergency plumber services. Do you want to learn how to prevent a shower clog? Follow these tips to avoid a clogged bathtub drain and any other unnecessary buildup.
Purchase/DIY a Drain Screen
Sometimes, avoiding a clogged bathtub drain is as easy as blocking your drains with a screen or hair catcher. There are plenty of screens on the market and in convenience stores to purchase, but you can always DIY your own if that works best for you. Consider an old kitchen strainer lying around or a fabric softener sheet.
Whichever choice you make, keep in mind that prevention is the best tool you have. Try to switch up your hair cleaning routines, and don’t let a drain screen trick you into believing it’s okay to let more hair fall into your drains.
Avoid Activities Your Shower Wasn’t Meant For
Your bathtub is pretty huge, and it’s common for homeowners to use their tubs to clean pets and wash bathroom carpets and mats. You want to avoid doing this as it could mean unwanted dirt and grime going into your shower drain, even if you use a drain cover. Avoiding clogged bathtub drains starts with avoiding activities your shower can’t handle.
Rinse Your Shower Drain Weekly
Clogged drains occur due to buildup, so prevent a shower clog by actively washing down your drains every week and consider giving it a good rinse on days where you have a bit more gunk than usual. Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain and follow it up with ½ cup of white vinegar. After letting it sit for half an hour, rinse the mixture by pouring boiling water down the drain.
Avoid Using Oily Products
Your shower drain is responsible for washing down dirt and grime, but that doesn’t mean it can handle oils—especially in excess. Oil from hair products and body washes leaves a residue in your drains that can harden, clog up, and cause blockages over time. On that note, don’t dispose of kitchen grease in your bathtub drains either!
When in Doubt, Call D.C.’s Top Home Plumbing Services for Your Clogged Drains
As common as they are, you never want to underestimate the power a clogged drain can have on your sewer system. If your drain is struggling to go down, it’s good to know you have Magnolia’s 24-hour plumber service that can come and rectify your plumbing problems. Be sure to contact us for more information on how we can help you prevent shower clogs in your home.
