Clogged shower drains are one of the most frustrating home inconveniences. Standing ankle-deep in water is unpleasant, and it likely indicates a blockage in your bathroom piping system. However, fear not! With a little know-how and some basic tools, you can tackle this common issue like a pro. Learn how to clear a clogged shower drain and restore smooth water flow and peace to your bathroom oasis.
DIY methods not working? It might be time to call in the professionals for help. The licensed plumbers at Chen Plumbing use advanced drain cleaning techniques, such as camera inspections and hydro jetting, to effectively locate and clear shower drain clogs in homes throughout the Atlanta area.
What Causes a Clogged Shower Drain?
Before you can effectively unclog a shower drain in your Atlanta home, it helps to understand what's creating the blockage in the first place. Hair is the biggest culprit. Over time, hair can fuse with soap scum and other debris, creating a stubborn clog. Other slow shower drain causes include:
- Mineral content: Atlanta water contains minerals like magnesium and calcium that can coat the inside of pipes.
- Dead skin and shower products: Shampoos, conditioners, body oils, and soap with heavy fats mixed with skin cells can get stuck in shower drains.
- Foreign objects: Children's toys, shaver heads, and jewelry sometimes fall into drains.
Most shower drain problems develop over weeks or months as debris accumulates in your pipes. It’s important to catch minor clogs early, before they escalate into complete blockages.
How Professionals Clear Shower Drains
When home remedies like plunging or baking soda and vinegar mixtures don't solve your drainage problem, professional plumbers have several effective techniques at their disposal. Chen Plumbing offers the following professional drain cleaning services:
- Drain snaking: Chen plumbers use drain snakes, also called augers, which feature a rotating cable with a specialized head designed to break through clogs.
- Removing the P-trap and drain cover: Sometimes the clog is at the drain opening or in the P-trap, the curved pipe section beneath your shower. Our professional plumbers can remove these components to directly access and clear blockages.
- Camera inspections: If the clog is stubborn and can't be cleared with drain snakes, we use a high-definition camera to identify the cause of the blockage.
- Hydro jetting: We use high-pressure water to cut through stubborn blockages and effectively clean your pipes. Hydro jetting a shower drain is usually the last thing a plumber will do if nothing else works.
Preventing Future Shower Drain Clogs
There are many ways an Atlanta homeowner can prevent common shower drain clogs. Follow these shower drain maintenance tips:
- Brush your hair before showering: This decreases the amount of hair that could go down your drain.
- Install a hair catcher: These low-cost items catch hair and some soap scum before they accumulate and create clogs. Clean them regularly before or after every shower.
- Use baking soda and vinegar: Put baking soda and vinegar down your drain once a month to prevent clogs. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, then follow with half a cup of vinegar. Let it fizz for about 15 minutes to dissolve the blockage, then flush with boiling water. This is one of the most common clogged shower drain home remedies.
- Use liquid soap: Bar soap leaves more residue than liquid soap, and chunks from the soap can accumulate in the drain, causing clogs.
- Avoid store-bought drain cleaners: These cleaners often contain harsh chemicals that can damage your plumbing, and they only temporarily solve your drainage problem.
- Schedule regular drain cleaning maintenance: Have your shower drains cleaned by a professional plumber every one to two years to prevent clogs.
If you have a shower clog and want to try clearing it yourself before contacting a pro, make sure you have the following items before attempting a DIY approach:
- Plunger
- Drain snake or auger
- Rubber gloves
- Bucket
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Boiling water
Why Choose Chen Plumbing for Drain Cleaning in Atlanta?
Homeowners choose Chen Plumbing for drain cleaning services in Atlanta for the following reasons:
- Licensed and trained plumbers: Our plumbers receive ongoing training to learn the best techniques and technologies for dealing with clogs.
- Respect and quick response times: Our plumbers arrive on schedule, wear protective shoe covers, and clean up thoroughly after completing the work.
- Exceptional customer service: We treat every customer like they’re part of the Chen family.
- Upfront pricing: We provide upfront estimates so our customers know exactly what to expect.
- Awards and accolades: We’ve been voted as the neighborhood’s favorite plumber multiple times.
- Financing and membership options: We offer financing and membership services to help cover plumbing costs.
Keep Your Shower Draining Smoothly With Chen Plumbing
If you need help with a clogged shower drain, don't hesitate to choose Chen Plumbing when you search for “shower drain cleaning near me.” We’re your trusted source for professional drain cleaning and plumbing services in the Atlanta area. Our team of licensed plumbers is equipped with the knowledge and expertise to tackle even the toughest clogs. Schedule professional drain cleaning with Chen Plumbing today, or request a quote online to fix recurring or deep clogs in your Atlanta home.
