No one wants to deal with a clogged shower. Backed-up water can contain soap scum and other residue you wouldn’t appreciate pooling around your feet. If you have frequent backups, you may wonder, “Why does my shower keep clogging despite what I do to care for it?”
As one of the leading companies for plumbers in Bainbridge, GA, Cooper’s Plumbing & Air may have the answer. Check out these reasons why your shower might be clogging up so obnoxiously. Finding the cause of your backed-up piping is the first step to a clog-free shower.
Six Reasons Your Drain Might Clog
In most cases, when we notice a clogged drain, the blockage comes from one of six sources:
#1. Hair Accumulation
You’ve likely seen videos or photos of a drain snake coming back up with a clump of hair on it. Indeed, hair clogs may be one of the most frequent reasons a shower drain blocks up. Of course, mitigating the issue can be difficult, especially for those with long hair, but even those with short hair should watch out.
Hair clogs can be particularly troublesome because they can serve as resting beds for grime, mildew, and even mold growth. Bundled, tangled hair doesn’t move through pipelines easily, which can cause it to build up over time. Eventually, water wouldn’t be able to pass through the clumped strands fast enough, causing it to pool in your shower.
#2. Soap Scum Buildup
Have you ever been showering and felt a waxy, soapy residue on your skin? Sometimes, it may be from the brand of soap you use, but the culprit most likely relates to both that and your property’s water conditions. Hard water and soap tend to create a creamy glaze that builds up and sticks to surfaces, including your skin.
While you can scrub your skin to remove that waxy feeling, you often can’t reach down into the drain any time you want. The wax clings to the pipe walls, steadily clogging it like excess cholesterol in an artery.
#3. Hard Water Deposits
If your soap doesn’t produce scum from mixing with hard water, the water might cause buildup on its own. Hard water gained its name due to its high mineral content within safe limits for human consumption. The minerals can cause water to have different tastes and smells and often result in residue after the water dries.
Many areas in Georgia tend to have hard water, which can cause sediment buildup in your plumbing or septic system. The methods you use to clean soap scum may not work on hard water mineral deposits. If you aren’t sure which issue you have, consult with a plumbing specialist for assistance.
#4. Foreign Objects
Have you ever wondered, “Why does my shower keep clogging up?” and “Where is my hairbrush?” at the same time? It likely hasn’t fallen down your drain, but other, smaller objects could slip into it. For example, many homeowners have found small toys, bottle caps, or bar soap wrappers blocking the pipes.
Drain protectors usually prevent these items from slipping into it. However, a broken drain protector or one you put in manually could allow foreign objects to find their way inside. If you had a drain protection issue and now have water drainage problems, you may need to pull out any objects that slipped in.
#5. Ventilation Issues
Although most homeowners would think that ventilation applies only to an HVAC system, plumbing also uses a form of ventilation to function. You wouldn’t need a vent for open flows or slides, but water can generate air pressure in enclosed spaces like pipelines. Plumbing systems have vents that help release air pressure from flowing water.
However, any of the above substances or objects can build up in the system, including the vents. If you manage to clean the pipes but fail to address the vents, then you may still see water drain slower than usual. Any new water has to combat the air pressure that built up inside the pipes, causing it to pool before it finally drains.
#6. Drain Pipe Size
“Why does my shower keep clogging when I just got new pipes?” Georgia has a minimum allowable drain pipe diameter of 1.25 inches. However, some DIY attempts or unlicensed workers may not know the state and city ordinances and complete unregulated work that can lead to consistent water backup.
Additionally, less-than-qualified contractors could mismatch the drain line and trap size. Even the difference of a half an inch decreases the flow of water drastically, potentially leading to the shower clogs you understandably dislike. Depending on the extent of the work, your shower plumbing system may need extensive replacements.
Why Not Use a Chemical Drain Cleaner?
In trying to clear your shower drain, you may want to use store-bought drain cleaners you’ve seen in commercials. Many plumbers would advise against using it, however, because of the following:
- They are ineffective: Although store-bought drain cleaners may have nice commercials and seem to show examples, the results usually aren’t as clean. Chemical cleaners often fail to clear the blockage because they don’t address the actual cause.
- They cause pipe erosion: Store-bought drain cleaners do not take your piping materials into account, which can be too caustic for your pipes. Short-term usage can lead to pipe weaknesses, while long-term use can lead to pipe erosion and, potentially, a burst pipe.
- They cause environmental issues: Drain cleaners utilize hazardous ingredients that can be dangerous for you to breathe. Moreover, if your pipe leaks, the drain cleaner can pollute the local environment and cause ecological damage. The chemicals also kill good bacteria which can help break down hard water, soap scum, and other pipe contaminants.
Service Your Shower Pipes with Expert Care
“Why does my shower keep clogging despite everything I do to stop it?” In such cases, it may be time for a drain cleaning service by Cooper’s Plumbing & Air. All our contractors have proper licensing and insurance to meet Georgia state standards.
Call Cooper’s Plumbing & Air at (866) 464-7132 or check out our contact page to ask any questions you have today.