It’s just a matter of time before the shower drain clogs. The combination of hair, soap scum, and dirt accumulates over time on the walls of the pipe and eventually creates a stubborn clogged drain. You may not be able to stop this process, but you can slow it down by caring for your plumbing in the following ways.

How to Prevent Clogs

1. Use a Drain Cover

Hair is a major factor in most clogs because it easily catches on pipe walls and tangles with other debris while it’s washed down. A fine mesh cover will catch hair before it travels further into the pipe. Make sure to clean it regularly and toss any hair in the trash. Additionally, clean it with bleach to dissolve any soap buildup. 

2. Clean Your Drain

Weekly cleaning helps slow and even counteract soap scum buildup. Just heat a pot or kettle of plain water until it boils, then carefully pour it down the drain. This will dissolve any lingering buildup. 

3. Use Salt

If you notice your drain slowing and hot water doesn't do the trick, add a generous amount of table salt before you pour the water down. Salt is abrasive and will scour the pipe walls, helping to loosen debris.

4. Clean the Shower

In addition to cleaning it, make sure the shower walls and floor are free of dirt, debris, and soap scum. Breaking up these materials and washing them out safely prevents them from contributing to clogged drains later.

5. Contact a Plumber

If you have any problems with slow drains, clogs, or shower flooding and these steps don't fix it, call a professional to address the issue before it gets worse. They offer procedures like water jetting which do a more thorough job of cleaning your pipes.

The professionals at All Star Rooter, Sewer and Drain Cleaning can tackle clogged drains and restore the functionality of your pipes in a quick and efficient way. Serving residents across Connecticut’s Fairfield County, including Stamford, Darien, and Greenwich, they provide both residential and commercial service based in 20 years of industry experience. For affordable service from a top-rated company, call (203) 286-4498. To see a list of their drain cleaning services, visit their website.