How to Unplug A Shower Drain If You Have No Auger

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By billips
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Unplug A Shower Drain If You Have No Auger

Shower drains easily become clogged with a combination of hair, soap scum and whatever else sloughs off human bodies into the drain.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Do it yourself or with a friend. A neighbor and I recently unplugged his shower by this method as no auger was immediately available. It can be done by one, but a team of two ensures quicker success.
Step 2

Remove the strainer over the drain. This is usually held in place with two screws. If there are none, use a pair of pliers, preferably long nosed ones. Catch the holes in the drain and lift it aside.
Step 3

Fill your shower with a couple of inches of water. Now using a good plunger, plunge vigorously. This may work. It didn't work for us, so we moved on to step four.
Step 4

Get your garden hose and jam in into the drain as far as easily possible. Wad up a small towel and hold tightly around the hole and against the drain opening. Your helper should now quickly turn on the hose with full force. He/she can turn it on and off several times and hopefully the clog will move on down the line.
Step 5

Clean up and you are finished. I hope this works for you. If not, you may have to borrow, rent, or buy an auger. You will need a drain auger. You will need to push the auger into the drain until it can reach and catch the clog. You can then pull it out, whole or in parts.

Comments

Coach4U said

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on 7/29/2009 How to unplug a shower drain if you have no auger sounds like a simple idea that would be very helpful. "5"

on 4/28/2009 Slow draining shower areas are troublesome but a shower that will not drain needs immediate attention, which means that if you have no auger, clearing the drain becomes difficult and may be simplified by using the technique suggested here.