How to unclog a blocked shower drain

[MitchellMc]

MitchellMc

Bunnings Team Member

Difficulty: Beginner

Shower drains can become blocked with debris over time, leading to drainage problems and unpleasant smells. 

Here is a simple guide to unclogging a blocked shower drain. Let us know if you have any questions and we would be happy to assist. 

Steps

1234

Step 1

1/4

Remove the drain cover.

Put on your gloves and safety glasses. Unscrew your drain cover in an anti-clockwise direction. Some covers may lift out and unlock after a quarter turn.

If the cover is hard to remove, you can use a screwdriver as a handle to turn it.

  

Next Step

Step 2

2/4

Break up the blockage.

Once the drain cover is removed, you may find big pieces of debris and hair in your drain that can be easily removed by hand. Remove this debris.

Insert the drain snake into the drain and turn the handle slowly whilst pushing it further down the pipe. Continue turning the handle until you feel resistance. This means the drain snake has reached the blockage. Push the drain snake backwards and forwards to break up the blockage.

Slowly pull the drain snake out. There may be some debris attached to the drain snake. Discard the debris.

      

Previous StepNext Step

Step 3

3/4

Push the blockage through the drain.

Fill the drain with water. Place the plunger over the drain and push down firmly. Then pull the plunger up quickly. Doing this can help generate suction and push the blockage through the drain.

Repeat this process several times to dislodge any remaining blockage.  

Previous StepNext Step

Step 4

4/4

Dissolve any remaining blockage.

Read the label for instructions on how to use the enzyme drain cleaner. Add 500mL of cleaner into the drain. For best results, leave the cleaner in the drain overnight.

Once done, run some warm water down the drain. If the drain doesn’t flow freely, repeat the previous steps.

When the water runs freely, you’ve successfully cleared the blocked drain.

  

Previous Step

Materials

Tools

• Liquid enzyme drain cleaner.

• Coiled drain snake 
• Plunger 
• Screwdriver 
• Rubber gloves 
• Safety glasses.

Images

[Akanksha]

Thanks Mitchell. Those interested in more advice and tips on cleaning bathrooms may also find the following articles helpful:

• How do you unblock the drain?
  
  
• What is the best way to clean a shower?
  
  
• How do you clean grout?

If you need more help with cleaning or renovating your bathroom, please don't hesitate to let us know. We're here to help.

Akanksha

[MikeTNZ]

Hi @MitchellMc,

Brilliant work, however, if people that are on a septic system (ie, not on town sewage systems), putting some chemicals down your drains can kill the bacteria in your septic tank, causing serious issues down the track.

I do note you posted an enzyme-based cleaner, this is good.

A lot of things that clog drains/traps up is body hair and body fats, during the showering process, because most people cannot stand a really hot shower

and the oils and fats that come of your body all condense in the trap under the drain.

Also, once the water has hit the shower floor it has cooled down sufficiently that any of these fats, etc are never washed sent out through the trap.

You can do a lot with simply a 10 litre bucket of hot water and pour that down the drain after having cleared it of hair and the usual obstructions.

No-one likes to deal with this sort of thing, but it is a situation of having to, if your shower won't drain.

Cheers,

Mike T.