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What's the best method to clear a shower drain?

Basically, my roommate and I need an effective way to unclog our shower drain. She doesn’t want to use Drano because she thinks it will damage the pipes. I’m just not sure that sticking a hanger in the drain is going to do the trick.

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Answer #1

If there is a screw on it, see if you can unscrew that first. Sometimes big pieces like, disposable razor blades fall in there and get stuck with hair. But really I don’t know of any method that is better than the other. You may get lucky and be able to use just the hanger but if that doesn’t work then you may need to use the Drano. The commercial versions of Drano will not damage your pipes. Only the version that plumbers use will do that if they leave it on for too long.

Answer #2

Here at camp we use a long plastic drain opener that can be found at wal mart and pull out the hair, it has barb like fishhooks on it to grab the hair and pull it out. This is for the most basic and common clogs, hair, etc. If that doesnt work we put a snake down it, which is a big metal coil that is pretty dangerous. For more solid objects or clogs deeper in the line. Next step is a bladder, a rubber balloon that fills up with water and blasts it down the line, clearing away grease and other clogs. A last resort, sulfuric acid. Harmful but potent.

Answer #3

It’s most likely clogged with hair and soap scum in the trap and draining slow. Use a plunger. Turn the water on until it just starts to stand in the tub then place the plunger over the drain while the water is still running and make a good seal. let the water run until it’s about 2 or three inches deep and then just keep plunging without breaking your seal. Eventually a big glob of hair will come up. You can buy hair catchers to put in the drain for just a dollar or two and they help.

Answer #4

Draino & a drain snake. Works every time :) hope this helped

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