There is nothing worse than having a clogged shower drain. We wash our hair in the shower, so it’s normal for these drains to get loaded with hair without us even realizing it. Ideally, you should put a strainer around the drain to try to capture the majority of hair so it can be disposed of. What happens is that hair tangles together and mixes with soap scum and residue that cause it to start building up. Eventually, hair down the shower drain will lead to a clogged drain. 

As a property owner, you can regularly clean hair out of the drain. You can also hire a professional plumbing service to occasionally clean and clear your drains, which can support drains throughout your home. In this guide, we will walk you through how to unclog a drain when it’s filled with hair and share everything you need to know. 

Why Do Shower Drains Get Clogged with Hair? 

Did you know hair is one of the leading causes of shower clogs? You already know that you lose some hair in the shower. Where else is that hair going to go? In a perfect world, we can picture it washing away, never to be seen again. The unfortunate truth is that most of it starts to build up within the drain line and will eventually lead to a clog. 

That hair going down the drain isn’t just hair and water. Minerals in the water, dead skin cells, soap and shampoo residue, and anything else that might be present all combine with the hair and water. That leads to a sticky mess of collected hair and residue that makes it all tangle together into a nasty mess. 

The hair buildup will restrict water flow and can cause stubborn blockages, too. You can be proactive to help prevent those, though. 

Signs Your Shower Drain is Clogged

It’s always good to be aware so you can take action at the first sign of a potential blockage. These are some telltale signs:

• Water draining slowly
• Water pooling in the shower
• Gurgling or bubbling noises from the drain
• Musty or sulfur-like odors 
• Water backing up when the faucet runs
• Visible hair or debris near and inside the drain

Tools and Supplies for Clearing a Hair Clog

When you know you have a hair clog, you can first try to remedy the issue yourself. In minor cases, you might be able to get it taken care of. However, if you have persistent issues, you will need to call for plumbing service. 

There are different methods you can try, but these are some common tools you might need: 

• Rubber gloves
• A drain snake or similar tool
• Plunger
• Baking soda and vinegar
• Screwdriver
• Boiling water

Do not use a commercial drain cleaner for hair clogs. While these sometimes break up small clogs, they can be very damaging and may do more harm than good. 

How to Unclog a Shower Drain Filled with Hair

Photo by Algernai Hayes on Unsplash 

We’ve put together a series of steps you can work through as you try to clear the clog. Try these in order to see if you have any success.

• Remove Drain Cover: start by using your screwdriver to remove any drain cover or grate that is in place. This gives you access to the hair and grime that are beneath the cover inside the drain. We recommend wearing gloves. 

• Pull Out Hair: when you remove the cover, there will likely be visible hair. Use a drain cleaning tool, tweezers, or whatever you have to get hold of the hair and gunk and pull it out. Pull out whatever you can see or reach. 

• Use a Plunger: if water remains standing in the drain, you can use a plunger. Try running just enough water to cover the plunger base so you can get a tight seal and then plunge up and down to dislodge any remaining clogs. 

• Create Natural Drain Cleaner: you can try a baking soda, boiling water, and vinegar mixture that might help break down minor buildup. This is far better than harsh chemicals. Put ½ cup of baking soda in the drain, pour 1 cup of white vinegar after that, and then cover it and let it sit for 15 minutes. Remove the cover and pour boiling water down the drain. 
• Drain Snakes for Deep Clogs: if the clog is still not resolved, you can try a manual drain snake that can go farther into the drain line and help push through some blockages. 

At this point, if the clog remains an issue, it’s time to call in the professionals. The home methods are simply not going to cut it. 

Prevent Future Clogs

You can take some steps to help prevent clogs from happening. They may not prevent every single clog, but they sure go a long way to help. These are some tips you can follow: 

• Reduce shedding in the shower by brushing hair before showering
• Install a hair catcher or mesh screen in the drain
• Flush the drain weekly (hot water or vinegar)
• Clean the drain cover regularly
• Avoid washing obvious large clumps of hair down the drain

Know When to Call a Professional

While DIY solutions can be helpful for minor needs, there are times when a drain clogged with hair might be too deep or even just too stubborn for those methods. If you’ve tried simple DIY solutions and they haven’t worked, it’s time to call in a professional plumber. Don’t keep dealing with slow drainage, as the problem will only get worse. 

The professionals can clean the drain and check for any other issues that might be causing you problems. 

Handle a Clogged Shower Drain with Stewart Plumbing on Your Side

If you have a stubborn clog from hair or anything else, Stewart Plumbing Home Services can help! Our teams have the tools and experience to locate blockages and get them taken care of once and for all. 

Contact us today to schedule your service.