Water that pools around your feet during a shower means your drain is slowing down. Hair, soap, and other products can build up inside the drain, causing these slowdowns. If not cleaned out, the clog can become worse and start to smell. At Dick Ray Plumbing, we help homeowners clear a shower that’s draining slowly and prevent future clogs.
Here’s what causes slow shower drains and how to fix them.
Why is Your Shower Draining Slowly?
Product Buildup in the Drain
Most slow shower drains aren’t caused by major plumbing issues—they’re caused by the products we use every day. Conditioners, moisturizing soaps, and lotions tend to stick to the inside of your drain pipes. Over time, this residue builds up, shrinking your pipe from a full 2 inches down to just 1 inch or less. That restricted space slows water flow and leaves you standing in a puddle.
We’ve also seen this buildup create what we call a “stinky drain.” That gunk isn’t just slowing your water down—it’s also creating unpleasant odors.
Hair and Unexpected Objects
Hair is a major contributor, especially in homes where one or more people have long hair. Even if you use a hair catcher, some strands always get through—and once they mix with conditioner and soap residue, they create dense, hard-to-remove clogs.
In homes with kids, we’ve pulled everything from band-aids to bubble gum out of shower drains. Small objects like these can easily slip down the drain and become lodged in the trap, making the problem even worse.
Shower Head Flow Limitation
Here’s something most people don’t consider: your shower head is designed to restrict water flow to about 2.5 gallons per minute. That’s not much. If your drain is already partially clogged, it won’t take much to overwhelm it.
What You Can Do to Fix It
1. Use a Flashlight to Check the Drain
Start by shining a flashlight down your shower drain. If the pipe opening looks smaller than 2 inches across, there’s buildup inside. That’s your cue to take action.
2. Flush the Drain with Hot Water
Once a month, we recommend filling a 5-gallon bucket with hot water and dumping it directly into the shower drain. This helps flush out loose residue and conditioner buildup before it becomes a full-blown clog.
3. Use a Scrub Brush or Pot Scrubber
Head to the hardware store and grab a pot scrubber brush—something long enough to reach into the drain trap. Work it down into the pipe and scrub away any buildup. Then follow up with a hot water flush to rinse everything out.
4. Try a Hair Snare
If hair is part of the problem, buy a hair snare or drain cover. These inexpensive tools catch loose hair before it enters the drain and help reduce future clogs.
5. Snake the Drain
If you’re still dealing with a slow shower, you might need to use a drain snake. We often use one to pull out a massive clump of hair tangled with old soap and conditioner. Once that mess comes out, water starts flowing normally again.
Tips to Prevent Future Clogs
- Watch your products: Look at what’s being used in the shower. Moisturizing soaps and conditioners may be great for your skin, but they’re rough on your plumbing.
- Flush monthly: Dumping a 5-gallon bucket of hot water into the drain once a month is a quick and easy way to stay ahead of clogs.
- Use a drain guard: Especially in homes with long-haired individuals, a hair catcher is essential.
- Teach the family: Kids can accidentally send all kinds of things down the drain. Make sure everyone knows what should—and shouldn’t—go into the shower.
In Summary
A shower draining slowly usually points to buildup from hair, soap, conditioner, or even unexpected objects. If water’s backing up in your shower, check the drain size, flush it out regularly, and consider using a scrub brush or drain snake. And don’t forget the hot water bucket trick—it’s simple and effective.
If you’ve tried all this and your shower is still draining slowly, let us handle it. At Dick Ray Plumbing, we know exactly what to look for and how to fix it right the first time.
To get your shower flowing again, contact us today.
