How to Stop Hair Going Down the Shower Drain

Clogged shower drains are a common plumbing issue that homeowners deal with at some point. Frequent clogs are a nuisance, cause inconvenience, and harm the home’s plumbing system. Clearing a blocked, slow-moving drain is a hassle while getting late for the office in the morning or enjoying a relaxing shower after a long and hectic day at work. The sight of filthy, soapy water backing up the drain is a nightmare. Hair is the top culprit that prevents water from freely going down the pipes and eventually forming severe clogs. Most people find it impossible to keep their hair from making way down the drain during the shower, and using chemical drain cleaners to clear clogs only makes the situation worse.  

However, there are a few things homeowners can do to prevent hair clogs in the shower drain. Let’s first look at how hair causes clogs and the steps required to clear the clogged shower drain.

How hair clogs the shower drain

During the shower, multiple strands of hair slip down the drain, and they are unable to make their way to the sewer pipes. Over time, continuous hair accumulation leads to a large clump formation mixed with soap scum and other debris, causing the water to move slowly. It makes the drains less and less functional with time, eventually causing the shower drain to back up due to the stubborn blockage.  

How to prevent hair from clogging the shower drain

Here are a few steps homeowners can take to minimize the likelihood of hair going down the shower drain and cause clogs:

Cover the drains

Over-the-top mesh screens or other hair-catching devices are small, efficient, and widely available gadgets that fit directly on the drain and trap the hair, soap scum, and other debris, preventing them from getting into the pipes. They are a reliable and low-cost solution for clog prevention. Place one screen over every bathtub, sink, and shower drains. To clean it, empty it in the trash after every shower or periodically, and then put it back in its place.

Brush your hair before showering

Brushing the hair before going for a shower helps remove loose, weak, and dead hair strands that may otherwise go down the shower drain. After shampoo, if there are hair clumps near the drain, gather and throw them in the trash can mid-shower.

Flush the drains regularly

Flushing all the drains at once is effective in preventing hair clogs. It requires closing all the shower drains, bathtubs, and sink drains and fill them up with warm water. Make the family members stand next to different drains, and ensure the drains are open and the toilets are flushed simultaneously.  

How to clear hair clogs from shower drains?

Even after adopting various prevention methods, drains can still get clogged. Homeowners can clear minor clogs using the following DIY methods:

• Use a plunger to remove the hair, and other debris stuck in the shower drain.
• Instead of using harsh chemical cleaners, pour boiling water or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar and leave it to rest for half an hour before pouring boiling water. 
• Leave a cup of bleach into the drain overnight and run warm water in the morning.

If these tips prove ineffective, call a local plumber to free your shower drain of hair clogs.

Royalty Plumbing offers high-quality residential plumbing services in the areas of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Summerlin.