Unclog a shower drain
A slow shower drain is usually hair and soap scum caught just under the drain cover. You can usually clear it in a few minutes with a plastic drain snake, without chemicals. A plunger or a hand auger handles what's further down. A drain hair catcher costs a few dollars, and it turns this into a quick wipe once a week instead of a snaking job.
Why shower drains clog
Shower drains catch a lot of hair, and soap scum binds it into a mat that slows the water more each week. Most of that mat sits within the first few inches of the drain.
Chemical drain cleaners often don't dissolve a hair clog completely, and they're harsh on pipes and on you. Pulling the hair out works better and is safer.
What clogs a shower drain
The main cause, usually just under the cover.
Binds the hair into a mat.
Scum and debris further down.
When other drains back up too.
| What you see | Likely cause | Try |
|---|---|---|
| Slow, water pools during showers | Hair near the top | Plastic drain snake. |
| Still slow after that | Clog further down | Plunge, then a hand auger. |
| Gurgles or smells | Buildup or venting | Snake it; call if it persists. |
| Backs up when a toilet flushes | Main line | Call a plumber. |
Clear the hair
- Take off the drain coverMany covers pop off with a flat screwdriver, and some have one or two screws in the middle. Set the screws somewhere they can't fall down the drain.
- Pull out the hairWith gloves on, push a plastic drain snake down the drain, twist it and pull it straight up slowly. Wipe the hair onto a paper towel and repeat until it comes up clean.
- Flush it with hot waterRun hot tap water for a couple of minutes. If it drains freely, you're done. If it's still slow, keep going.
- Plunge itPut a little water in the shower so it covers the plunger's cup. Seal the plunger over the drain and give it 10 to 15 firm pumps. A shower-tub combo has an overflow plate; cover it with a wet rag first so the plunger can build pressure.
- Snake deeper if neededFeed a hand auger into the drain, cranking as you push, until you feel resistance. Work through it, then pull the cable back out slowly and run hot water again.
- Put it back and add a hair catcherReinstall the drain cover and set a hair catcher over it. Emptying the catcher after showers keeps the clog from coming back.
Watch it done
- Water drains freely after a couple of minutes of hot water
- No standing water around your feet during a shower
- The cover is back on with a hair catcher over it
Still slow after snaking? A plumber can snake from a cleanout.
If it's still slow
If it's still slow after snaking, the clog may be further along the pipe, or the vent may be blocked. A plumber can snake the line from a .
If the shower backs up when other fixtures drain, the main sewer line may be clogged. That's a job for a plumber.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): A plumber typically charges $150–$350 to clear a shower drain, more if the main line needs snaking.
Find a plumber near you