Will a clogged shower eventually drain?

Author: Annamae Mante DDS  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 20, 2025

When your shower drain is clogged, water will often back up in the shower or bathtub. Most of the time, you'll find that the water clears through the drain eventually. However, some blockages are serious enough that the water simply can't pass through.

Can a shower drain unclog itself?

In some cases after a minor blockage, you might notice gradual improvements in drainage speed, and this can - in some cases - indicate a possible self-clearing process.

Will a clogged drain go away on its own?

Unfortunately, the answer is no — very small clogs may wash away on their own, but they can also develop into larger clogs that require a fix from a professional plumber. In this guide, Desert Water Plumbing and Rooter will provide insights and solutions for those grappling with clogged sewer lines.

How do you unclog a severely clogged shower?

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.

Can plunging a shower drain make it worse?

Plunging a shower drain isn't going to hurt it none. You might want to try a small hand snake, it'll definitely get the hair out of it.

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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.

Is a blocked shower drain an emergency?

A blocked drain can sometimes become an emergency which requires the Tenant to act quickly in order to prevent further damage to property. In these types of circumstances and scenarios, the Tenant could contact a plumber like ourselves and work out the responsibilities later with the Landlord.

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 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 unclog a deep clog?

Baking soda and vinegar can also push through stubborn clogs if used right. These methods work well for simple clogs in places like the bathroom sink. For tougher or deeper clogs, a plumbing snake or even a wire coat hanger works well. It can reach the clog and fix the problem.

Will a clog eventually unclog itself?

Yes, a toilet can unclog itself over time, but it depends on what is causing the blockage. If the clog is made up of water-soluble materials, like toilet paper or fecal matter, then eventually they will begin dissolving if you give them enough time.

What happens if you leave a drain clogged too long?

When a drain clog is ignored, the consequences can be serious. Left unchecked, a clogged drain can lead to a variety of plumbing problems, from reduced water pressure to flooding and sewage backups.

Can a blocked drain unblock itself?

In some cases, a blocked drain can clear itself. This depends on the cause and severity of the blockage. For example, minor clogs caused by soap scum or small debris might eventually break down and wash away. Most blockages stem from more persistent issues, such as hair, food waste, or tree roots.

Will Drano unclog my shower?

You can use Drano® Clog Removers to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or clogged bathtub, but DO NOT use them in toilets. For clogged or slow-running drains, apply the product and let it work 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.

Will a clogged sink eventually drain?

While it's not the end of the world, it won't cause immediate damage to your home and the water will eventually drain away, a slow drain is still a problem that needs to be fixed. A drain that is slow to empty will mean there is already a clog in the system and, over time, one that will only get worse.

Why won't my shower drain go down?

Slow Drainage

If the water is pooling around your ankles or takes a long time to drain once you've shut the water off, you have a clogged shower drain. The clog made out of hair, soap scum, and dirt, is like a dam and prevents the water from flowing smoothly through your drain.

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.

Will bleach unclog a drain?

Bleach Will Clean Your Drain, Not Unclog It

Bleach isn't going to unclog your drain any more than pouring a glass of water down the sink. Bleach is great for sanitizing your sink and drain and killing smelly germs; it will not break down clogs.

Can I leave Mr. Muscle drain Gel overnight?

Using innovative drain unblocking technology, Mr Muscle's new biodegradable formula delivers the power to unclog bathroom drains in just 5 hours. Use it at night, let it work its magic and wake up to freely flowing drains.

What chemical do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Properties and Uses: Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a highly corrosive acid used extensively by plumbers to clear severe clogs. It reacts rapidly with organic materials in drains, breaking them down into simpler compounds that can be easily flushed away.

What do you do if your drain won't unclog?

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.

Can boiling water unclog a drain?

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. Boiling water helps break down grease and soap holding the clog together to clear the blockage. This method is easy and only requires one or two steps. Most important is to boil water on a stove using a kettle or saucepan.

How do you unblock a badly clogged shower drain?

Firstly, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain and then after a few minutes pour a cup of vinegar down the drain as well. After a couple of hours you can turn the shower on and see if the blockage has been dissolved. Then add boiling water again to clean out thedrain.

What is the best shower drain unclogger?

During our lab testing, we found the Green Gobbler Main Line Opener performed best at clearing clogs. It's worth noting that the Green Gobbler Main Line Opener claims to be safe for toilets, sinks, tubs, showers and even septic tanks.

Should you plunge 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.

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