How To Unblock a Shower Drain

As unpleasant as it sounds, the most common cause of a blocked shower drain is a build-up of hair, dead skin, soap scum and other debris. Removing hair from the plughole after your shower and regularly cleaning the shower drain are the best ways to prevent a build-up. Shower drains can also become blocked by limescale build-up, especially if you live in an area with hard water. If you suspect this could be causing the blockage, there are plenty of ways to de-scale your pipes using household products, from vinegar to lemon juice. Discover more tips on removing limescale from your bathroom in our dedicated guide.

If you've got a slow-draining shower, work through these six easy steps to unblock the drain yourself before calling the professionals.

Hot water is unlikely to unblock a shower drain completely, but it's generally a good place to start. If a build-up of soap scum is causing the blockage, then pouring some piping hot water down will loosen it up. Boil the kettle, let it cool for a few minutes, and pour it down the drain. Don't use water while it's at boiling point, as this can cause your pipes to warp.

White vinegar is a known saviour for various cleaning tasks, and drain unblocking is no exception. Follow this method to unblock your drain using baking soda and vinegar:

• First, fill a cup with baking soda and pour it down your drain. Wait two to three minutes, then follow with a cup of white vinegar. The mixture will start to bubble.
• Put the plug in and leave it to work for around an hour.
• After an hour, pour hot water (not boiling) down the drain.
• The vinegar and baking soda solution should loosen any hair or soap scum, so the hot water can flush out the pipework and clear the blockage.

If it doesn't fix the problem, repeat the process once more. Bear in mind that while this is a more ecologically-friendly method of clearing your shower drains, it is still reasonably caustic, so don't overdo it.

Looking for more DIY cleaning hacks? Discover how to remove and prevent mould in the bathroom.

There's nothing left to do but call a plumber when you've tried all of the above steps and still can't sort the problem. If you live in an older property and are experiencing repeat blockages, it might be time to upgrade your pipework. Want to give your bathroom a total makeover? Explore our range of shower enclosures and trays here. If you have low water pressure in your shower, consider installing a pump to improve water flow and enhance your showering experience.

You can unblock your bath drains using the same methods outlined above for showers. Drains successfully unclogged? Discover more cleaning tips for your bathroom.