There are only a few things more annoying than stepping into the shower and finding yourself standing in a pool of water that refuses to go down the drain. You might clear the clog once and think the problem is solved, only to find yourself dealing with the same issue a few weeks later. The truth is that shower drain clogs have a way of coming back, and understanding why can help you break the cycle for good.
Hair Is the Biggest Culprit Behind Most Clogs
If you’ve ever pulled a clump of hair out of your shower drain, you already know how quickly it builds up. Every time you shower, loose strands wash down the drain and start catching on the walls of your pipes. Over time, that hair tangles together and forms a thick blockage that slows drainage.
The tricky part is that hair typically doesn’t just sit in one spot. It slowly works its way down deeper into your pipes where it combines with soap residue, making the clog harder to remove each time it comes back. Using a drain cover or hair catcher can make a big difference in slowing down the buildup, but it won’t eliminate the problem entirely without regular cleaning.
Soap Scum Builds Up More Than You Think
Most people don’t realize how much soap scum contributes to recurring clogs. Traditional bar soaps contain fats and oils that can stick to the inside of your pipes. As water flows through, that residue accumulates until it starts restricting water flow.
When soap scum combines with hair and other minerals, it creates a stubborn coating inside your pipes that simple drain cleaners can’t fully dissolve. Switching to liquid body wash instead of bar soap can help reduce the buildup, and flushing your drain with hot water after each shower goes a long way toward keeping things clear.
Why Clogs Keep Coming Back After You Clear Them
This is the part that frustrates many homeowners. Once you pour a drain cleaner down the drain and the water starts flowing again, you think you’re in the clear until a few weeks later, the slow draining starts all over again.
This usually happens because most DIY methods only remove part of the blockage. The remaining residue clings to your pipe walls and quickly catches new hair and debris, rebuilding the clog faster than before. In some cases, older pipes can make the problem even worse because buildup has more surface area to stick to. Professional drain cleaning removes the entire blockage and gives your pipes a much cleaner surface to start from.
If your shower drain keeps clogging no matter what you do, it might be time to get a professional involved. The team at Alabama Home Pros in Montgomery, AL can take a closer look at what’s clogging your drains and provide drain cleaning services to get the water flowing again, so call today.