How do you unclog a P-trap in the shower?

Author: Raphael Durgan V  |  Last update: Sunday, April 20, 2025

A drain stick is effective at clearing clogs in a P-trap or S-trap caused by hair. A plunger can clear a clog if the blockage isn't too far into the pipes.

How do you clear a clog past the P-trap?

Pour one cup of fresh baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Place a rubber stopper or other sink hole cover over the drain opening. Wait 15 minutes to allow the vinegar and baking soda to unclog your drain, Then take out the drain cover and run hot tap water down the drain to clear the clog.

What will dissolve hair in a drain?

Heat 2 or 4 liters of water on your stove or in a kettle to just short of boiling. Add about 1/2 cup of salt. Try pouring this down the drain, then wait 15 minutes before seeing if it will clear more easily. If you need a stronger cleaning, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar.

How do I clear the water backing up in my shower?

If your shower will not drain and there is standing water in your way, try to move the water through the pipes using a plunger. You can usually clean parts of the drain by hand. In case that's not enough, we'll also look at simple tools and cleansers that can break through buildup.

How do you tell if a p-trap is clogged?

A blocked p-trap will cause water backflow to occur. The first sign that your p-trap is clogged is when the water in your sink takes longer than average to flow down the sink.

DON'T LIVE with SLOW DRAINS - Make Your Shower Drain like New In 2 Minutes

How to clean a P-trap without removing it?

Pour some baking soda down your drain and then pour boiling water down after. Sometimes this will clear the clog. Use a plunger on your sink drain to try to force the clog out of the trap.

Does Drano get past the P-trap?

Do not use any other Drano® product in toilets, as they do not contain microorganisms. Also, the trap configuration in toilets prevents these products from reaching areas where matter can accumulate and cause plumbing problems – so these products are ineffective in toilets.

What is best for unclogging a shower drain?

First, if you have metal pipes, pour boiling water down the drain. Then remove hair from the drain. If that doesn't work, use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. If the clog persists, use a plunger, plumber's snake or chemical drain opener.

How to unblock a shower drain with standing water?

How to Unclog a Shower Drain with Standing Water: 5 Methods
  1. Combine Baking Soda and Vinegar. Baking soda, a cup of vinegar, and boiled water are a perfect home remedy for clearing a clog. ...
  2. Use a Plunger. ...
  3. Try a Drain Snake. ...
  4. Use a Coat Hanger. ...
  5. Call Your Local Expert Plumber.

How do I get the pressure back in my shower?

Some are simple, and others may need professional assistance.
  1. Clean your Showerhead. Simply cleaning out the mineral build-up in your showerhead can fix your water pressure issues. ...
  2. Remove the Water Restrictor. ...
  3. Replace your Shower Hose. ...
  4. Make sure your Water Shut-Off Valve is Fully Open. ...
  5. Get Creative. ...
  6. Call the Pros.

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain?

The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.

What pulls hair out of drain?

For best results, start by squirting a little dish soap into your drain, followed by a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda. Wait five minutes or so, for the chemical reaction of the vinegar and baking soda to take effect, then chase that with a cup or more of boiling water.

How to unclog hair from shower drain without a snake?

If you have tried to remove the clog yourself by hand, but it still won't budge, try using a plunger to loosen up the hair. Run the faucet and place plunger over top of the tub drain (remove drain cover if possible). Make sure you get a good seal around the drain and that the plunger is submerged.

What do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Plumbers choose hydro jetting equipment for the most stubborn, deep-set clogs. This drain clearing tool uses high-pressure water to flush your pipes and remove years of buildup. The water jet is so strong that it can even break up any tree roots that have found their way into your sewer line.

How do I get water back in my P-trap?

This usually happens to a sink or appliance that hasn't been used in a long time. We generally see it in utility sinks or guest bathrooms. When the P-trap dries up there's no water and therefore, no seal. Simply run the water for 10-15 seconds to re-establish a seal and you should be good to go.

How do you unclog a P-trap tub?

This technique can help you reach deeper clogs in the P-trap or drain line:
  1. Remove the drain cover or stopper.
  2. Insert the auger into the drain opening.
  3. Gently push the auger while turning the handle clockwise.
  4. When you feel resistance, continue turning to break up the clog.

How to unblock a shower trap?

First, fill a cup with baking soda and pour it down your drain. Wait two to three minutes, then follow with a cup of white vinegar. The mixture will start to bubble. Put the plug in and leave the mixture to work for around an hour.

What does a shower p-trap look like?

P-traps, named after their shape, contain a u-shaped bend that filters wastewater as it enters a plumbing system. The trap is connected to a sink, bathtub, and shower with a J-bend on one end and exits into your drainage system. The J-bend is the section of the p-trap that resembles the letter J.

What's the best shower drain unblocker?

Selected. Our top picks
  • Best overall. Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner. $undefined. $9.47. ...
  • Best for hair clogs. Liquid-Plumr Pro-Strength Hair Eliminator Gel Clog Remover. $6.99. $7.69. ...
  • Best for grease clogs. Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover & Cleaner. $undefined. $11.84. ...
  • Best for food clogs. Thrift Drain Cleaner. $21.30.

What is best to unclog main drain?

A plumbing auger — also known as a plumbing snake — and a sewer rod are effective against some clogs in the main drain line. If you suspect a blockage in the main drain line, don't use the plumbing system in your home until it's cleared. Getting more water into the line could cause wastewater backups in the home.

How to clean a shower drain trap?

Pour 1/2 cup of vinegar into the shower drain right after the baking soda. The vinegar and baking soda will react and form froth. Now, use a plate or stopper to cover the drain hole and let the vinegar and baking soda sit in the P-trap for half an hour to an hour.

Should you use a plunger on a clogged shower drain?

USE A PLUNGER FOR CLOGGED SHOWER DRAINS

If you have a plunger at home, it can be a great way to fix a clogged shower drain among other drains in your home. Plunge the drain with a sink plunger. A sink plunger is different from a toilet plunger and has a shallow red rubber cup and a shorter handle than a toilet plunger.

What happens if you leave Drano in the drain too long?

When Drano is left in the drain for too long, it can cause corrosion of the pipes. The chemicals in the product are designed to break own the clog, but if left for too long, they can start to break down the pipes themselves.

What is the best drain cleaner for standing water?

Drano Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover

The best drain cleaner overall. A thick gel that descends through standing water to the source of the clog and starts to work melting soap scum, grease, and other gunky obstructions, is safe for plumbing and septic systems.

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