Naturally, the best way to fix a blocked shower drain is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Shower drains can easily be clogged with hair and other debris, but fortunately, they are among the easiest fixtures to clear using a drain snake.While a normal bathtub drain is usually 1 1/2 inches in diameter, a shower drain is often 2 inches in diameter, making it easier to insert a small drain snake directly into the drain opening and down through the trap, where most clogs are found. When a bathtub that has a drum trap forms a clog, removing the clog and restoring the tub's draining ability may present extra steps and effort. Even if the water is simply slow to drain, over time this will cause a slippery build-up of soap scum, dirt and grime on the bottom of the bath or shower tray that could be unsightly or even dangerous. When a shower drain smells like sewer gas, there’s probably rotting debris, draining problems, or general plumbing issues. ; A commercial drain cleaner – to clear a drain with minimal effort, just remember to follow the directions on the label. This is an easy DIY job, and this simple guide will show you how. Replacing the shower P-trap Now that you know what a P-trap is and what it’s used for, it’s important to discuss some of the problems you might have with this curved pipe. The only way you can stop hair and soap getting in there is to stop people with hair or soap from using the shower. For floor drains like those in basements and blocked shower, a hosepipe typically is more practical than an auger if the blockage is much down. In the rare case that the drain remains clogged due to additional items that somehow got down the drain, you can use a snake or drain auger that will reach into the drain and dislodge whatever is blocking the pipe. When you have a stinky shower drain, it is most likely caused by a buildup of biofilm in the drain pipe or not enough water in the p-trap, allowing the shower drain smells to rise back up through the pipes. Turn the shower on or use a pitcher to rinse the soap well from the drain. A dry P-trap and short vent pipes can cause rotten-egg like smell in the bathroom. When possible, also clean the drain’s P-trap, the P-shaped section of pipe under the drain designed to catch debris before it travels farther into the plumbing system and causes a clog there. When you use the shower, all kinds of filth like soap residues and hairs can attach to the shower drain. Just had a new shower installed with a slim shower tray which comes with fast flow shower waste with a 70mm flexi pipe. 3. The Clean the P-trap Method Put on rubber gloves and remove the curved portion of the drainpipe beneath the sink. Before you try to remove a shower drain, wipe it dry with a towel, then spray it with a lubricant like WD-40 or a silicone drain lubricant. So in practice you need a trap that comes apart easily for regular cleaning, and pipework that flows freely after that. The shower trap is designed to trap items that may clog up the wastewater line in your home. 8 Ways to Unclog a Shower Drain. Some of these anaerobic bacteria live in fetid water in the P-trap and produce hydrogen sulfide gas, which smells like sewage. A clean drain ensures that water drains quickly and effectively and minimizes any risks of flooding. You hop in the shower to get fresh and clean, not to smell something gross coming from the drain.Smells in a shower drain can be caused by odor-causing bacteria that feed on debris in the pipe. Effective drain cleaners will keep your P-trap clean, but they could damage your pipes if you use these products too often. Other times, the smell is a result of a clogged shower drain, or stagnant water in the bottom of the drain. When I took it out to clean it, I couldn’t get it back in and was convinced the spring had broken off. Vinegar and Baking Soda Place the shower trap back over the opening and twist the screws into place. In truth, this is unlikely to unblock a shower drain on its own but it’s generally a good start. The P-trap is situated underneath the shower tray and its purpose is to hold a small amount of water to prevent odors from wafting through the drain pipes and into the bathroom. Secondly, it stops the water from leaking into your floor. Empty any water and gunk from the trap into a bucket. There’s nothing worse than finding yourself ankle-deep in a pool of murky, soapy, lukewarm water after taking your morning shower. If water in your tub or shower is starting to drain very slowly, you may need to clean out your shower trap. Below, we have listed some methods that can be used to clean out, push. The shower is ready for use again. Reason #1: Problem with the P-trap. The water should drain freely. Shower blockages are usually no more than a simple clogged shower drain. The first method we would recommend for thoroughly cleaning out your pipes and drains is a high pressure drain jetting. So what does the p-trap do? The manufacturer is Viega and I've been looking on their web site but I think the model is older. Whichever form your pesky blockage has taken, it needs fixing. Hair, chips of soap, shampoo residue and grime accumulate and lodge in the unseen portions of the drain pipes. Clearing a clogged sink drain trap how to clean your shower drain trap how bad are drum traps star tribune metal sink strainer bathtub drain hole how to clean your shower drain properly 5 Ways To Unclog A Bathtub Drain WikihowHow To Unclog A Drain From The Family Handyman5 Ways To Unclog A Bathtub Drain… Read More » When a leaky shower p-trap is left unaddressed, mold begins to form, which can be hazardous to your health. Hair and soap deposits in the trap and solidify after a couple of week, regular emptying and cleaning the trap will stop your shower from blocking, flooding and further shower drain clog. How to clean and unclog a bathroom sink or bathtub drain Monthly maintenance: Once a month, remove hair from drains using either a tool, like the Drain Weasel , or a bent wire hanger. If you have standing water in your shower or the shower is draining slowly, there's probably a clog somewhere in the shower drain line. If you can look underneath the shower drain, you’ll see a U-shaped pipe that water passes through. A lot goes down your shower drain. Occasionally you will need to clean it out. When we have a shower, with half the flow of the shower, water gathers around the tray and then overflows on the floor. The last thing you need when you jump in the shower is to be overcome by the smell coming from the shower drain. The acid won't solve the problem in the long term, although it may give you a clean start. Place a bucket under the drain, unscrew the P-trap and dump the contents into the bucket. Once you have unclogged the shower drain, you should work on preventing or reducing the chances of it happening again (see my suggestions at the bottom of the page). ; Baking soda, distilled white vinegar, boiling water, and an old rag – to flush the drain clear. A blocked bath or shower drain is one of the most common problems you’ll come across in the everyday use of your bathroom. After removing the drain trap, or clearing the clog you can begin taking steps to remove the smell from the drain. 6 Ways to unblock your shower drain 1. How to Snake a Shower Drain. Twist the wire hanger apart so it forms a straight line. This screen will trap any debris, soap scum, and hair from washing into the drain pipes and causing a clog. Snake It. Key Steps: Tools and products needed to clear a blocked shower drain: A coat hanger or crochet hook – to remove hair and other small blockages. The shower drain is often blamed for the stinky smell that comes out of the bathroom. Most modern bathtubs have a p-trap, which is a curved section of piping located just below the tub's drain. Below are my eight suggested methods for how to clear a clogged shower drain. Take the P-trap outside and rinse it out with a garden hose. P-traps are hidden in other areas of the house like your bathtub and toilet as well. I can only find instructions for new models that have plug on the side of the odour trap that can be unscrewed to easily access the drainage hole and waste pipe. away or dissolve cement in your drains. The Clean the Drain Vent Method The drain has started to drain very slowly - even after cleaning out the immersion pipe. The trap will need cleaning occasionally when a buildup of soap scum occurs. Not sure what the problem is? Clean the Shower Faucet to Prevent Stinky Water. Pour boiling water down the drain. Drain Jetting. how to clean out a shower floor drain. [How-to] Clean your shower drain in 3 steps Keeping you shower drain clean is important. Push the hose into the drain … take away the filter from the drain.A rib adapter is required for a sink or bathroom faucet. Besides dealing with the cause, you also need to get rid of the smell itself. A clogged shower drain is unsightly and inconvenient, and if you have to call a plumber for help, it can be expensive to fix. 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