We’ve all taken a shower that slowly turned into a bath as the water rose past our ankles. It’s time to unclog hair from the drain, here’s how to do it easily.
It’s happened to all of us before. You step into the shower, get the water going, and then feel the water climbing up your ankles. You’ve got a clogged drain, and you’re going to need to deal with it.
There’s more than one way to unclog hair from the drain. If you want to avoid a plumbing emergency, keep reading to explore your options.
How to Unclog Hair From the Drain
Nobody wants to unclog hair from the drain.
Some people find themselves physically unable to — they gag at the sight of all that mangled-up hair between their fingers as they lift it from the drain. If you’re the type that hates to unclog the shower drain, maybe one of these methods will work for you.
Use Boiling Water
This method is fantastic for people who don’t want to put their fingers near all that hair.
All you have to do is boil a pot of water on the stove, then pour that water down the drain. You can use a funnel or a pouring cup to make this easier. Pour it down the drain at a steady pace, wait a few seconds, then test out your shower.
The boiling water can loosen up the soap and grease holding the hair in place, allowing it to flush down properly.
Try Baking Soda & Vinegar
If you’re looking for a natural way to clean out your drain, try this classic trick.
First, pour a cup of baking soda right into the drain. Wait a couple minutes, then pour a cup of vinegar down there. Let this mixture sit in the drain for a few hours as it works its magic.
After a few hours, the mixture should dissolve the clogged hair. To finish off the process, boil a big pot of water and pour it into the drain. This will clear out all the hair, vinegar, and baking soda.
Use Your Hand
Yes, it can be gross, but this is also one of the most effective methods of clearing a hair-clogged drain.
All you need to do is take off the drain cover, reach inside the drain, and pull out the hair. Try and pick up a good clumped-up part so you get the whole hair clog in one. You can wear a thin glove while you do this, or if you’re brave, go in bare. Try using a flashlight to spot the hair if it’s not easily visible.
It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it. This is definitely the fastest method of cleaning out a clog.
Get a Hook
Closely related to the hand method is the hook method.
This, of course, involves using a hook of sorts to fish the hair out of the drain. You can fashion a hook out of a thin piece of wire, like a coat hanger. From there, the rest is pretty self-explanatory.
Just fish the wire into the drain, try to hook the hair, and pull it up. Pull it up slowly if you can to avoid the hair breaking off and falling back into the drain. Use the thinnest hook you can manage to fashion, but make sure that material is sturdy so the hook doesn’t bend or break.
Some drain-cleaning chemicals include a hook-like device exactly for this purpose. If you prefer, seek out one of these.
Pour Some Chemicals Down There
It’s always nice when you can use a natural method rather than a chemical one. Unfortunately, some clogs are just too powerful.
If you’ve tried all the other methods with no success, it’s time to visit the store. Seek out a chemical made specifically for unclogging drains. The package will usually say whether or not it takes care of clogs, including hair in drains.
Follow the packaging directions exactly and apply the chemical as needed. Always wear your PPE, like gloves, goggles, and old clothes. Never mix chemicals, as you could create a potentially deadly substance.
Pour the chemicals down the drain, follow the directions, and unclog your drain. It’s that simple.
We do emphasize, however, using this as a last resort. Drain chemicals can damage your pipes in some cases, especially with repeated use. Always try other methods before busting out the chemicals.
Break Out the Plunger
If you have a larger sized drain, a plunger might be the secret weapon you need. This is especially effective for deep clogs.
Fill your shower with a little water, allowing the plunger to be submerged. This helps it get suction. You can also add a little petroleum jelly around the edge of the plunger to assist it.
Once it’s stuck to the drain, start plunging. Plunge vigorously until the hair is removed. It’s worth noting that this isn’t always the most effective method, but it’s worth a shot if nothing else is working.
Call a Professional
Sometimes, a clog just can’t be handled with regular methods. In these cases, it’s time to call a professional.
Get on the phone with a trusted plumber and ask for their recommendation. They may be able to give you some tips to try or might set an appointment to come check it out. Now all you need to do is sit back and wait for the cavalry to arrive.
Say Goodbye to Clogs
There are a lot more ways to unclog hair from the drain than many ever consider. If you have a stubborn clog in your shower drain that won’t go away, try one of the methods above. You might just find your new favorite way to get things flowing again.
Call Eyman at (402) 731-2727 today to schedule a plumbing or HVAC service in Nebraska.