“The water in our shower unit takes forever to drain,” Maggie said. “Like I get done, dry off, get dressed and ready to go – and the water is still two inches deep in the bottom of the shower! My husband says it’s probably just some hair in the drain and I shouldn’t worry about it.” The Brooklyn homeowner shrugged her shoulders. “Is he right? Because I don’t think he’s right.”
This is one of those situations where someone can be both right and wrong. In this instance, Maggie’s husband is probably right about the cause of the shower drain clog. Hair washes down the drain with each and every shower. Over time, it gets caught up with dirt, grease, and other grime in the pipes. This can form a mass that slows the passage of water down significantly.
Where Maggie’s husband is wrong is in his assertion that there’s nothing to worry about. Slow drains inevitably become stopped drains, and a stopped drain is a problem. When your shower drain is completely clogged, all of the water from your shower has to go somewhere. This can be a big mess on the bathroom floor.
Depending on where the clog is formed, the shower clog can cause other plumbing in the house to not function properly either. Having water back up in the sink, bathtub, or other areas in the home can be both disgusting and distressing.
What is the Cure for Slow Drains?
Ignoring a slow drain will not make it better. The cure for slow drains is drain cleaning. There are drain cleaning chemicals available in hardware stores, but they offer uneven results and contain harsh ingredients. The easiest way to cure slow drains is to have your local plumbing service clean the drains. This quick simple service eliminates everything that’s been clogging your pipes. Your shower will drain quickly once again! Most homes need the drains cleaned once every 12-18 months.
