Sometimes you may find yourself in a pool of water the level of which keeps rising every time you or someone else takes a shower. The reason for this could probably be that there is a clog somewhere within the building, particularly within the shower drain.
When soap scum collects in the drain every time you bathe (and this is the normal occurrence), it combines with small bits of hair that come off the body and causes a major clog in the shower drain. This however, happens progressively over a long time and you may not notice it. But in the wake of a pool in your shower, you definitely need to clear the mess. This means that you must eject the soap scum and hairpieces to allow the free flow of water.
shower drain
The following are the items you will need: a plumber’s snake, screwdriver, hot water, a metal hanger, white vinegar, some petroleum jelly, a flashlight, a small plunger, a wet washcloth, baking soda, and a caustic drain opener.
After assembling the above items, you should proceed as follows:
Pour some of the baking soda (about half the quantity) and half a cup of the white vinegar into the drain. Then cover the opening using some glass baking saucer or dish for a period of two hours or more. It is more preferable that you cover overnight. Next, flush the drain outlet to check if the suspected clogging materials have dissolved before attempting any other move. Then loosen the screw located at the center of the drain using a flat head screwdriver so that you are able to remove the cover of the drain.
Using a flashlight, check for any blockage inside the drain. You can use a straight metal bar to pull out any clog if it is within reach, or use a plunger. Apply some petroleum jelly onto the plunger such that you are able to make a seal, and then place the plunger just over the drain. In case the plunger is not submerged, add some water so that it covers it. This will allow you to pump up and down for between 15 and 20 minutes. Repeat the exercise until the entire blockage is removed.
In case the blockage is not removed, use the plumber’s snake by pushing it down the drain. Turn it frequently to ensure that it clears all sides of the drain. Then check if the clog is removed by passing water through the drain. If the clog persists, a chemical drainer will be handy in removing it. You should wear hand gloves since the chemical is highly corrosive. Using this procedure, you should read carefully the instructions on the container of the chemical drainer.