Unclog Shower Drain Blocked by Hair

How hair gets trapped in drains and pipes

Hair often becomes entwined within drains and pipes, knotting easily because of its fibrous nature. During washing, rinsing, or styling in showers, sinks, and tubs, shed hair strands are inevitably washed down the drain.

Once inside your pipes, loose hairs and soap scum may forge a drain clog, hindering smooth passage. This sticky mixture ensnares even more hair and debris flowing down and contributes to drain can build up, methodically creating dense clogs that impede water flow. Hair accumulation, especially when it knots, usually occurs in shower drains but can happen in any drain.

Several factors make hair prone to clogging pipes:

• Length - Long hair can get tangled together and slip into your drain more easily.
• Texture - Smooth, straight hair goes down through pipes better than curly or coarse hair.
• Amount - A household with many members can mean a lot hair ending up in plumbing, exacerbating the concern.

Without hair catchers, the continuous build-up of hair and soap can eventually clog drains, causing blockages in home plumbing systems over time.

Common areas prone to hair clogs

Bathroom sinks, often prone to hair clogs, typically require the most attention. Areas prone to clogging include:

• Hair shower drains - As we wash our hair, strands fall out and are washed down drain, adhering to the pipe walls.
• Bathroom sink drain - Whether from washing hair or simply shedding strands during grooming at the sink, hair easily gets into the drain.
• Bathtub drains - Similar to shower pathways, loose hairs shed in the tub collect in the tub drain where they accumulate.

The warm, humid conditions of bathrooms promote hair adherence to soap scum and other deposits, leading to blockages. Over time, tangled hair clumps, especially from shower drains, form significant obstructions.

Kitchen sinks can also succumb to hair-related clogs. However, thoughtful drain use and well-placed hair catchers can prevent this issue. Soap scum and grime from washing or food prep may also collect hair in the pipes.

Signs you have a hair clog

Several signs indicate hair clogs in drains for homeowners to identify:

• Water draining slower than usual, with gurgling sounds
• Sinks, tubs or showers backing up with standing water
• Strange gurgling noises from your clogged shower drain when water is going down
• Water overflowing from drain openings
• Foul sewage odours coming from drains
• Toilets flushing sluggishly

These problems worsen as more hair and debris build up in your pipes. Addressing a hair clog promptly offers the best chance for easy removal before major blockages occur.

To prevent clogs, consistently maintain your drains, wear gloves for protection, use hair catchers, and avoid disposing of fats or solids down sinks. If you notice any of the above symptoms, promptly enlist a professional plumbing service to unclog the drain and prevent extensive, expensive repairs.

Preventing hair from entering drains

Numerous effective strategies prevent hair going down shower drains, thereby avoiding clogs:

• Install drain screens that effectively trap hair, ensuring only water passes through the drain. Empty screens regularly.
• Minimise hair falling into sinks and tubs during baths or showers by catching hair beforehand.
• During grooming, contain hair trimmings and clean any fallen hair from your sink and surrounding surfaces after styling.
• Use hair catchers - Stick self-adhesive lint catchers on shower walls to grab shedding strands before they go down drain.
• Clean drains routinely - Monthly drain maintenance like flushing with hot water removes hair out drain before blockages occur.

Consistently practising these habits can prevent hair clogs from accumulating in drains. Your home can avoid frustrating hair blocked pipes and eliminate the need for professional drain cleaning services.

Removing hair clogs from drains

To safely clear hair clogs from drains without using harsh chemicals, consider the following methods:

Use a Drain Snake

Use a flexible drain snake to effectively remove hair clogs and other debris. Carefully insert and twist the snake into the drain to retrieve trapped hair. Repeat until water flow is restored.

Extracting the clog carefully helps prevent further damage to the drain.

Try a Wire Hanger

Straighten a coat hanger and create a small hook on one end to extract hair from the drain. Insert into the drain opening and rotate gently to snag the clog, this method can unclog shower drain obstructions. Pull out upwards steadily to remove hair.

Flush with Boiling Water

Carefully pour a cup of boiling water down the affected drain, flushing multiple times for the best results.

Hot water helps dissolve hair and grease, loosening the clog. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil for this purpose.

Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar down the drain to create a fizzing reaction that aids in dislodging hair. If the blockage persists, let the mixture sit for a few hours and then flush with boiling water.

Try an Enzymatic Drain Cleaner

Enzyme-based drain cleaners, available at hardware stores, break down hair to prevent blockages and are a safer alternative to harsh chemicals. Seek out products labelled as 'hair digesting’ with protease enzymes to break down hair and organic matter. Follow product directions.

In some cases, severe hair clogs might require consulting a local plumber to professionally dispose of the obstruction. Attempting to auger or use caustic drain cleaners risks damaging pipes.

When to call a professional plumber

Calling a professional plumber is recommended when you’re dealing with severe drain clogs and lack the tools and expertise to safely clear them yourself.

Recurring Clogs

Recurring hair blockages could signal an underlying problem with your plumbing system, such as:

• Faulty plumbing layout causing buildup
• Cracked or broken drain pipes trapping hair
• Issues extending beyond a simple clog

A plumber can inspect your plumbing to identify and resolve the root cause of repeat clog formation.

Failed DIY Attempts

Well-established hair clogs can resist homemade drain clearing solutions. If efforts like plungers, drain snakes, boiling water, baking soda mixes or enzymatic drain cleaners haven’t unclogged the blockage, calling a professional is the next step.

An experienced plumber, equipped with specialised augers and high-pressure jetting equipment, can remove tough hair obstructions that are often beyond a homeowner’s capability.

Potential Pipe Damage

Aggressive DIY cleaning with harsh chemicals or excessive force may worsen hair tangling and may damage pipes. Plumbers carefully remove solid clogs to prevent leaks or pipe corrosion.

Plumbers can assess if issues like cracked drain lines or tree root invasion are causing heavy hair buildup. Early detection prevents costly repairs in the future.

For plumbing emergencies involving hair clogs or any type of stubborn drain blockage, we offer professional technicians at Beverley Park Plumbing who are always ready to assist residential and commercial customers throughout the Sydney region.

Our emergency plumbing services

Beverley Park Plumbing recognises that plumbing emergencies, such as blocked drains, can happen without notice. Our team of licensed technicians is available 24/7 to provide prompt emergency plumbing services across Sydney.

Emergency Drain Unblocking

We possess the necessary tools and know-how to swiftly clear severe hair clogs and drain blockages beyond the reach of DIY methods. Our modern tools enable us to safely and efficiently unblock sinks, showers, tubs, and main sewer lines.

Thorough Drain Inspections

We go beyond clearing clogs by investigating the root cause of hair blockages. In-pipe cameras check your drain system for underlying issues like cracks or tree roots enabling recurring clogs. We can then provide options to permanently prevent problems.

Upfront Pricing

We provide full pricing upfront – ensuring no surprises later. Our emergency plumbers always provide exceptional service at fair, competitive rates.

Don’t wait with a blocked drain or other plumbing emergency. Beverley Park Plumbing’s team is ready with effective plumbing solutions whenever you need assistance. Contact us today at 1300 349 338 or [email protected]