Clear a blocked shower drain safely, from removing hair and debris to plunging, snaking, and testing the flow again.
SD-01Get ready and protect the areaPut on rubber gloves. Lay an old towel around the shower tray or bath to catch drips and mess. Keep a bucket nearby for anything you pull out of the drain.
SD-02Remove the drain coverMost shower drains have a plastic or metal grate that lifts out, twists, or unscrews with a small screwdriver. Set the cover aside and give it a quick clean under a tap while you work on the drain itself.
SD-03Pull out debris by handWith gloves on, reach into the top of the drain and pull out any hair, soap scum or grit you can feel. A straightened wire coat hanger with a small hook bent in the end reaches further down. This clears the most common cause of a slow shower drain.
SD-04Try washing-up liquid and hot waterSqueeze a good dose of washing-up liquid into the drain. Slowly pour a kettle of near-boiling water after it. This helps break down grease and soap scum stuck to the pipe. Leave it for 10 minutes before checking if the water drains away.
SD-05Plunge the drainRun a little water into the shower tray so the plunger can form a seal. If there's an overflow, cover it with a wet cloth first. Place the plunger over the drain and pump firmly up and down 10 to 15 times, then check if the water clears.
SD-06Use a drain snake if it's still blockedFeed a hand-held drain snake or auger down into the drain, turning the handle as you go to work it further into the pipe. Pull it back out slowly — hair and gunk will cling to the barbed end. Repeat two or three times, wiping the snake clean each time.
SD-07Use a chemical drain unblocker as a last resortIf the drain is still slow, use a proprietary drain unblocker and follow the bottle's instructions exactly. Wear gloves and eye protection, keep the bathroom ventilated, and never mix it with any other chemical unblocker or bleach, as this can produce dangerous fumes.
SD-08Flush and testRun the shower on hot for two to three minutes and watch how the water drains. It should disappear quickly with no gurgling. If it's still slow, repeat the plunging or snaking steps before trying the chemical unblocker again.
SD-09Clean up and refit the coverRinse the drain cover and refit it, screwing it back down if it originally had screws. Wipe down the shower tray and surrounding area. Bag up any debris you pulled out and put it in the bin, not back down the drain.