Help clearing a badly clogged shower drain

[Augusto Orosco]

My shower drain is badly clogged; I think it's probably hair and soap residue. I have tried baking soda and vinegar, then a plunger and hot water to no avail. I bought a 15 feet snake and went through the hole length and came up empty. Now, the snake clears the accumulated water, but it doesn't solve the problem since the shower keeps filling up every time we add more water. I even used Drano once (which I hate using) to no avail.

After the shower fills up, it takes about 5/10 minutes to drain (so I know it's not 100% clogged). Towards the end, a "tap tap tap" noise can be heard from the pies.

Any suggestions? I don't want to pour another bottle of chemicals into the drain; I rather find another solution. Plumber is probably next, but what would he/she do differently?

Would a shop-vac help here, or is that also pointless given that the 15' snake couldn't solve the problem?

Thanks!

[Jason Roehl]

What kind of snake did you use? Sometimes the metal-coil snakes just poke a hole through the clog without fully clearing it. You could try a plastic barbed snake, which would be better at snagging the clog and perhaps pulling it out. Also, you could try the plunger again, but don't use full, powerful strokes with it--that can make the problem worse by packing the clog into a turn somewhere. Instead, use quick, short, in-and-out strokes in rapid succession to work the clog--make sure you have the drain filled with water first, since the water doesn't compress like air will. It also helps if you cover the overflow drain (if present).

You could also look for a plumbing clean-out--a capped off T in the pipe somewhere near where the drain pipe exits the house.

Another thing to check would be any vent pipes--sometimes animals or their nests clog those and cause a slow drain.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

For a shower, I have usually seen a bunch of hair close to the drain, so that plastic barbed snake mentioned is a very good solution. Also, my snake has a tip that is more likely to catch some of that and pull it back.

How long does it take to fill with water? If it is fast, then you know that it is not far to the problem.

[Augusto Orosco]

What kind of snake did you use? Sometimes the metal-coil snakes just poke a hole through the clog without fully clearing it. You could try a plastic barbed snake, which would be better at snagging the clog and perhaps pulling it out. Also, you could try the plunger again, but don't use full, powerful strokes with it--that can make the problem worse by packing the clog into a turn somewhere. Instead, use quick, short, in-and-out strokes in rapid succession to work the clog--make sure you have the drain filled with water first, since the water doesn't compress like air will. It also helps if you cover the overflow drain (if present).

You could also look for a plumbing clean-out--a capped off T in the pipe somewhere near where the drain pipe exits the house.

Another thing to check would be any vent pipes--sometimes animals or their nests clog those and cause a slow drain.

I am using the metal coiled snake with a spring shaped tip. Maybe the plastic barbed snake might help.

How long does it take to fill with water? If it is fast, then you know that it is not far to the problem.

Good point. It takes about 20 secs to start filling up.

Thanks, guys. Just got informed that the plumber won't be able to come until Monday; it would be great if I can solve this issue sooner rather than wait 4 days.

[Augusto Orosco]

Also, you could try the plunger again, but don't use full, powerful strokes with it--that can make the problem worse by packing the clog into a turn somewhere. Instead, use quick, short, in-and-out strokes in rapid succession to work the clog--make sure you have the drain filled with water first, since the water doesn't compress like air will. It also helps if you cover the overflow drain (if present).

Bingo! Last night I used the snake again. Although it came back empty I made sure I twisted it around trying to loosen whatever could still be there. I then tried the plastic barbed short snake and still found nothing. Finally I turned on the shower and let the water fill up; which it did pretty quickly. Went at it with the plunger for 3-4 minutes,using the rapid short motion you suggested and voila! Shower now drains like the first day it was installed.


Thanks Jason and everyone else for all the good suggestions. It's helpful when you can brainstorm the problem with a bunch of people. You guys just saved me a bunch of money!

[Jason Roehl]

Just a little experience. My #2 child, thin as he may be, has caused me (and my brother-in-law, when we stay at their house for Turkey Day) much plumbing grief over the years. And not from hair.

Glad you got it working!

[Myk Rian]

When the kids were young, the toilet got plugged. After many attempts at using a snake, it came down to pulling the toilet up.
A rubber ball was stuck in the bottom of it.
Watch the kids, constantly!!!

[ray hampton]

I use a tool that are made to remove belts from cassette players, the hook on the end can be use to catch the hair at the tub drain and pull the globs of hair out

[Tim Boger]

I'd recommend getting a plumber out there with a industrial length snake to get to and through any obstructions .... sounds like this may be beyond the DIY project.

[Ralph Boumenot]

The fact that you are draining slowly makes me want to look at the venting for the shower. The vent being clogged somehow will slow down draining even if the drain piping is clear. You need atmospheric pressure on the drain to cause the water to flow out.

[Mark Berenbrok]

I had the same problem a few weeks ago and used Drano Max Gel Clog Remover. It took two treatments and the entire bottle but it cleared the drain.

[Augusto Orosco]

The fact that you are draining slowly makes me want to look at the venting for the shower. The vent being clogged somehow will slow down draining even if the drain piping is clear. You need atmospheric pressure on the drain to cause the water to flow out.

This might be a dumb question, but is there another way to eliminate that possibility without climbing to the roof? Getting to the roof is not easy (three stories, steep roof)

[Dan Friedrichs]

This might be a dumb question, but is there another way to eliminate that possibility without climbing to the roof? Getting to the roof is not easy (three stories, steep roof)

This may be a dumb idea, but: shop vac? Suck down onto the drain (making sure the overflow is blocked off), and plenty of air should be sucked through the drain and blow out the shop vac exhaust. If the vent is blocked, you should feel much less air flow.

(I am not a plumber, obviously )

[Myk Rian]

This might be a dumb question, but is there another way to eliminate that possibility without climbing to the roof? Getting to the roof is not easy (three stories, steep roof)

Whatever you might do with the roof vent, do not, and I repeat, DO NOT use a leaf blower in it.
I did that this summer to remove a wasp nest. A little later Wifey calls me into the bathroom to show me a flood on the floor.
The air pressure blew all the water out of the toilet.
I had invented a new style Bidet.

[Jason Roehl]

Did you laugh?