You step into the shower to start your day, only to find water pooling around your ankles. That slow drain might seem like a small inconvenience, but left unchecked, a clogged shower drain can turn into a bigger plumbing headache.
Clogged drains are one of the most common issues homeowners in Toronto face. Hair, soap scum, and debris build up over time, causing water to drain slowly, or not at all. And you know what the good news is? There are several safe, effective ways to unclog your shower drain, many of which can be done with items you already have at home.
In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about unclogging a shower drain. We’ll go over the most common causes of shower drain clogs, step-by-step DIY methods (including natural options with baking soda and vinegar), when to use tools like a drain snake, and when it’s best to call a plumber. You’ll also learn how to prevent shower clogs in the first place, keeping your plumbing system running smoothly.
Avoid recurring shower drain problems – schedule a drain inspection or cleaning with our expert team serving Toronto, Etobicoke, and Mississauga.
Why Shower Drains Get Clogged
Before we dive into how to unclog a shower drain, it helps to know what causes the problem in the first place.
Common Causes of a Clogged Shower Drain
- Hair buildup – One of the leading culprits, especially in households with multiple shower users. Hair collects in the drain cover or deeper in the drain pipe, catching other debris as water flows down.
- Soap scum and shampoo residue – In hard water, soap gradually combines with minerals to form a sticky film that constricts the pipe opening.
- Body oils and shaving cream – Oils and thicker products coat the inside of pipes, contributing to clogs.
- Foreign objects – Small items like razor caps, bits of plastic, or even jewellery can accidentally fall into the drain.
- Hard water buildup – In some Toronto neighbourhoods, mineral-heavy water can leave deposits inside your pipes, restricting flow.
Understanding what’s causing the clog helps you choose the best way to unclog the shower drain. For example, hair clogs are best removed manually, while soap buildup may respond better to boiling water or a baking soda and vinegar flush.
Signs Your Shower Drain is Clogged
Sometimes a clog is obvious, but in other cases the symptoms build gradually. Look for these warning signs:
- Standing water in your shower or bathtub
- Slow drainage, where water takes longer than normal to disappear
- Gurgling sounds coming from the drain
- A foul or musty odour from the shower drain
- Water backing up into the tub or other drains in the bathroom
If you notice these signs, it’s time to act before the problem gets worse.
DIY Ways to Unclog a Shower Drain
There isn’t just one “best way to unclog a shower drain.” The right method depends on the type of clog and the tools you have on hand. Below are tried-and-true approaches that can help you unclog your shower drain quickly.
1. Remove the Drain Cover and Check for Hair
Sometimes the simplest solution works best.
- Depending on the style, you might need a screwdriver to remove the drain cover.
- To see if there is a visible blockage, use a flashlight and shine it into the drain opening.
- Put on disposable gloves and try to pull out any hair or gunk you can reach.
- If the clog is just out of reach, use needle-nose pliers or a bent wire coat hanger to hook and remove the hair.
This hands-on method may not be glamorous, but removing hair directly is one of the fastest ways to unclog a shower drain.
2. Use Boiling Water to Flush the Drain
Boiling water is often enough to break up soap scum and grease.
- Boil a kettle of water.
- Pour the boiling water down the drain gradually so that it has time to perform its job.
- Run hot water from the shower to flush everything through.
Tip: Don’t use boiling water if you have PVC pipes, as extreme heat can soften the plastic. In that case, stick with hot tap water instead.
3. Baking Soda and Vinegar: A Natural Drain Cleaner
This method is safe, inexpensive, and avoids harsh chemicals.
- First, pour into the drain a cup of baking soda.
- Follow it with an almost equal amount of white vinegar.
- Cover the drain immediately with a plug or stopper to trap the reaction.
- Wait 20–30 minutes while the mixture foams and loosens debris.
- Flush with hot or boiling water down the drain.
Many homeowners find this mixture of vinegar and baking soda effective for minor clogs and odour control.
4. Use a Plunger Over the Drain
A plunger isn’t just for toilets, it can help unclog shower drains too.
- Remove any standing water until there’s just enough to cover the plunger’s rubber cup.
- To create a seal, place and position the plunger firmly over the drain opening.
- Push up and down quickly 10-15 times.
- Lift the plunger to see if water drains away. Repeat if necessary.
If you notice hair or debris come up during plunging, remove it immediately instead of letting it fall back down.
5. Try a Drain Snake or Plumber’s Snake
For deeper clogs, a drain snake (also called a plumber’s snake) is one of the best ways to unclog your shower drain.
- Until you encounter resistance, insert the snake into the drain.
- Until you encounter resistance, insert the snake into the drain.
- Bring the clog with you as you slowly raise the snake back up.
- Flush with hot water to clear remaining debris.
Drain snakes can reach much farther into the pipe than coat hangers, making them ideal if the clog is deeper in your plumbing system.
6. Use a Wet/Dry Vacuum (Optional)
If you have a shop vacuum, it can be used to suck clogs out of the drain.
- Set the vacuum to liquid mode.
- Place the hose tightly over the drain opening.
- Turn it on to pull the clog upward.
After using the vacuum, be sure to give it a thorough cleaning because clogged showers are unpleasant.
7. Chemical Drain Cleaners: A Last Resort
While commercial drain cleaners may unclog a shower drain quickly, they often contain harsh chemicals that can damage pipes and harm the environment. If you decide to try one:
- Choose a product labelled safe for shower drains.
- Follow instructions carefully.
- Never mix different chemical cleaners.
At Absolute Draining & Plumbing, we recommend using natural cleaning solutions first. Chemical drain cleaners can accelerate the deterioration of your pipes, therefore they should not be your first choice and should only be used rarely.
Still dealing with a stubborn shower clog? Call our trusted plumbers in Toronto, Etobicoke, and Mississauga for quick, professional drain repair.
What If the Drain is Still Clogged?
Sometimes, even after trying multiple methods, the drain is still clogged. If that happens:
- Check if the clog is deeper. The issue may be further down the drain pipe, beyond the reach of DIY tools. You may need to look into the drain carefully to see if water in the shower is backing up.
- Look for multiple drain issues. If more than one fixture in your bathroom is draining slowly, you may have a larger plumbing system problem. In this case, it’s not just about unclogging the shower drain, it could be time to fix a clogged shower drain that’s linked to the main line.
- Call a plumber. A licensed Toronto plumber has professional-grade equipment (like motorized augers and hydro-jetting tools) to unclog the drain safely. They can clean a shower drain thoroughly and get your shower drain in no time back to normal flow.
If you want to avoid and prevent a clogged shower drain in the future, make it a habit to clean your shower drain and drain every other week. By doing so, you’ll avoid the hassle of unclogging your shower drain repeatedly and keep your bathroom fresh. Regular maintenance makes it easier to learn how to unclog and fix small blockages before your shower is draining slowly again.
How to Prevent Shower Drain Clogs
Once you’ve gone through the effort to unclog your shower drain, you’ll want to prevent the problem from coming back. Here are some simple steps:
- Install a drain cover. A plastic drain screen or hair catcher traps hair before it enters the pipe. Clean it out every few days.
- Run hot water down the drain weekly. This helps flush away soap scum and buildup.
- Avoid pouring oils or thick products down the drain. Hair conditioners, oils, and bath products can solidify inside pipes.
- Clean your drain monthly with baking soda and vinegar. A natural maintenance routine keeps clogs from forming.
- Be mindful of multiple shower users. In busy households, increase how often you clean the drain and remove hair from the drain cover.
A few minutes of proactive maintenance will spare you the hassle of later having to deal with a clogged shower drain.
When to Call a Professional Plumber in Toronto
DIY methods can solve most minor shower clogs, but sometimes professional help is the safest and fastest option. Call a plumber if:
- Water backs up every time you shower, even after trying multiple methods.
- The drain is clogged deeper in the plumbing system.
- You notice water backing up into other fixtures, like your sink or toilet.
- You’ve used a chemical drain cleaner, but the clog keeps returning.
- You want peace of mind that the issue is resolved without damaging your pipes.
With over 20 years of experience, Absolute Draining & Plumbing has seen every type of clogged drain in Toronto homes and businesses. Our plumbers quickly repair your shower drain using high-quality equipment and tried-and-true methods, regardless of the severity of the obstruction—from a straightforward hair clog to a complex blockage deep inside the drain system.
Contact us today for fast, reliable drain cleaning services in Toronto, Etobicoke, and Mississauga – and keep your shower flowing smoothly.
Keep Your Shower Drain Flowing
A clogged shower drain may seem like a small nuisance, but it can lead to bigger problems if ignored. Fortunately, there are many ways to unclog your shower drain—from simple home remedies like baking soda and vinegar to tools like plungers and drain snakes. Preventative maintenance, such as cleaning your drain cover and flushing with hot water, goes a long way in keeping your plumbing system in good shape.
Don’t wait for the issue to get worse if you’ve tried everything and your shower drain is still clogged. For dependable plumbing services and professional drain cleaning, get in touch with Absolute Draining & Plumbing, your go-to Toronto plumbers. To help you clear your shower drain and maintain smooth water flow, our staff is on call around-the-clock.
