How to Prevent Clogs in Your Shower Drain

If you notice water pooling around your feet as you shower, it is likely because an obstruction has formed in the drain. Water accumulation in the shower due to a clogged drain can make your shower or tub dirty and leave your feet feeling gross as they linger in the water.

Cleaning products, plungers, or your local plumber can assist you in clearing clogs in your plumbing. However, you can prevent these clogs by altering some of your bathing and cleaning habits. Guardian Plumbing Services, a team of highly qualified plumbers serving customers in Annapolis, MD, lists three ways that you can lower the risk of forming clogs in a shower drain.

Consider a Drain Screen

One of the major contributors to clogs in a shower drain is hair. Thin strands can easily slip down a drain and then clump together to block pipes and form a clog.

A mesh drain screen can cover your shower drain, catching hair that may otherwise enter your pipes and create a blockage. Hairs will instead accumulate on this screen, which you can then empty into your trash once or twice a month. This device is easy to install and can prevent inconvenient and costly clogs from affecting your plumbing system.

Avoid Oily Shower Products

You may be aware of the dangers of emptying oil and grease down your kitchen sink as you cook. This concept applies to your shower drain as well. Greasy shower products, like coconut oil or oil-based scrubs, can stick in your pipes and harden. As they accumulate, they will harden and create a clog in the shower drain.

You can pay attention to the ingredients in the products you use when you shower. If they seem to contain high amounts of oil, you might want to substitute them with ones that are less oil-based.

If you rely on greasy products outside of the shower, you might want to ensure they are absorbed in your skin properly before you bathe. Alternatively, you can wipe away any oily residue that lingers on your skin before you shower.

Flush Drains Regularly

Though you may utilize drain screens and other precautionary methods, materials may still begin to build up in your drain and form clogs. You can eliminate this build-up before it becomes a clog, however, by flushing your drain.

To do this, you can set your shower to a hot temperature and allow the water to run for a few minutes. The heat can melt substances clinging to the pipes. And the force of the water can rinse away the lingering residues. Contact your plumber for an inspection if you have concerns about frequent clogs in your shower drain.

Find Emergency Plumbing Services in Annapolis, MD

Guardian Plumbing can unclog drains and complete other emergency plumbing services for customers in Annapolis, MD. Our plumbers can also perform routine maintenance and inspections for residential and commercial clients. To get an estimate for your plumbing job at no cost to you, contact our office by phone at 301.685.5017. You can also reach a member of our staff online.