How to Unclog a Shower Drain and Keep It Clean | Architectural Digest

Instead, he recommends homeowners use the same tools as professionals. You may have experience using a drain snake (also called a plumbing snake) to unclog your sink or toilet, but it’s not always long enough to clean up the mess lurking beneath your shower floor. To do this, you need a drainage auger, which can have a cable up to 25 feet long.

How do you use a drill to unclog a clogged shower drain?

Snails are readily available at hardware and home improvement stores, and you can usually get a good one for less than $50. Tavanian suggests opting for a hand-operated drain auger with a 1/4-inch cord as a manageable and safe option for most clogged drains. If you’re looking to add a drill bit to your toolbox, Tavanian recommends the Rigid Kwik-Spin Auto-Feed-Trigger Drainage Auger Bit. There are drain cleaning machines, but they are quite expensive. Before using a drill for the first time, Tavanian recommends watching a few instructional videos. “The technique is very difficult to explain but easy to do,” he admits. Do-it-yourselfers should also familiarize themselves with the instructions that came with the drill bit they purchased, as there can be slight variations in the techniques used to unclog a clog.

Once you have a snail, follow these step-by-step instructions to clean a shower drain:

Step 1: Gather the supplies. In addition to the drill, you will need a screwdriver, rubber gloves, safety glasses and a drop cloth.

Step 2: If your drain strainer has screws, use a screwdriver to remove them and then pry the strainer off. If not, you should be able to gently pry it off.

Step 3: Insert the coiled end of the drill into the drain until you feel resistance at the other end.

Step 4: Hold the auger handle with one hand and use the other hand to turn the drum clockwise. As the spool works its way down the drain, adjust the thumbscrew or trigger as needed to allow more of the spool to be released so you can work it down the drain.

Step 5: Keep turning until you feel the resistance ease off, which likely means you’ve unclogged the clog.

Step 6: Turn the handle counter-clockwise to slowly pull the coil (and hopefully the hair clog) out of the drain. Don’t rush this step or over-tighten, either can damage your pipes.

Step 7: Run warm or hot water and see if drainage has improved. If not, repeat the steps above.

How do you minimize clutter when clearing a shower drain?

Prep work is essential to prevent a clogged drain from becoming a big mess. As you gather your supplies, Tavanian suggests packing a few extra rags, a drape to protect your shower floor, and a bucket for transporting dirty tools. As for the job itself, he tells DIYers, “Take it slow and be careful.” Nobody wants tossed clumps of hair (then you’ll have to clean a glass shower door, too). Take your time so you can be clean and focused on what you’re doing, he urges.

How do you know when it’s time to call a professional plumber?

Although clearing a clogged shower drain is a task that many homeowners can safely undertake, it’s important to assess your situation before you put on the rubber gloves. Tavanian recommends that you visually inspect the area before embarking on the project. If you know your pipes are so old they may be galvanized, then the clog is probably from pipe flaking and not necessarily hair or dirt. Rust residue is another sign to call in a professional. If you can’t clear a clog after a few tries with a drill, there may be a larger problem like tree roots or other small objects blocking your drain. In this case, professional help is also advisable.

How to prevent a shower drain from clogging?

While you can’t prevent your shower from ever clogging again, there are some DIY steps homeowners can take to prevent dirt and other debris from causing common clogs. Here’s how to tackle the biggest causes of a clogged shower drain.