shower drains slowly

[DonnaB]

I apologize if this has been thoroughly hashed out before, but I have searched and not found this resolution.

Our shower begun to drain slowly. Since we've been in the coach over a year, it is more than likely that hair & debris has built up in the drain and needs to be cleaned out. Don't mind doing that. Would like to do that. However....can't get the drain cover off. It doesn't seem to unscrew or pop out. I is affixed firmly and won't budge and I'm afraid of bending or otherwise making it unsightly going forward.

So, before I do something I will be sorry for, I thought I would see if someone has already found the trick and can advise.

As always, thanks very much in advance.

[DonnaB]

I apologize if this has been thoroughly hashed out before, but I have searched and not found this resolution.

Our shower begun to drain slowly. Since we've been in the coach over a year, it is more than likely that hair & debris has built up in the drain and needs to be cleaned out. Don't mind doing that. Would like to do that. However....can't get the drain cover off. It doesn't seem to unscrew or pop out. I is affixed firmly and won't budge and I'm afraid of bending or otherwise making it unsightly going forward.

So, before I do something I will be sorry for, I thought I would see if someone has already found the trick and can advise.

As always, thanks very much in advance.

[Dav5942]

Can't see why the drain would be plugged up(it is large). We use a screen saver(wallyworld) to eliminate junk in the grey tank.

[GaryKD]

My shower drain is like yours. It will not come out. What I have done is get the grey tank 3/4 full. I then use Liquid Draino. Follow the instructions on the bottle. After flushing the drain really well to ensure the clog is gone, I dump the grey tank. I then put a few gallons of water in the grey tank.

In three years, there has been no problem with the grey tank components (including the valve seals).

[Rcro10]

We have been full timing for ten years and my soultion to slow drains is once a month I put about a half cup of baking soda and half to one cup of white vinagar down each drain and let it set for ten to fifteen minutes then rinse with hot water for one to two minutes. Have never had to clean a drain.If it is relly slow it might take a repeted application.ope this will help you.

[read & learn]

Have same drain screen, same problem. solution is you have to remove all the built up soap deposits from around the screen very carefully [dental pick] now nice and easy remove screen. Screen has a depth of 1/4 inch. This is how they showed us at the factory to do. No thet just pulled it out and replaced with new, alot faster and they had the part.
If you bend or destroy pick up new one at plumbing section of HD or Lowe's.
Newmar sells only the whole assembly for about $10. Now if they would only sell just the screen.

[oemtech]

Once you get the screen out use a Scotch Bite to clean the edges of the screen and drain.

I live 24x7x365 in my rig and about once a month I use a old fashion plunger to seal the drain and fill the shower base with hot water. Once it is full, so to speak, I plunge the system. Repeat as necessary and the dump the gray tank. Replace the screen.

[Ken Roberts]

We have the same type of drain. got a neat brush at Wally World that is about 18" long, with 12" being bristles. The whoe thing is maybe 1/2' to 3/4" diameter and fairly flexible. It does fit down the sauare holes in the drain and without too much effort seems to clean out debris fairly easy. But, I am going to try the baking soda/white vinegar treatment above as that sounds even easier and does not appear to be caustic, Ken,'04 DSDP....

[Acker1]

When you get the screen off, use one of THESE.
They work great and are inexpensive. Available at hardware store, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

[Mike and Claudia]

Another trick you can try isw to heat your tea pot on the stove and pour te hot water down the sink AFTER you clean out the hair, etc.

This "melts" the soap scum in the drain.

[DonnaB]

I want to thank everyone who responded. We did pick up a "zip-it" at Wal-Mart. The only word that comes to mind.......disgusting . I just worked on the shower a little bit, but it runs much better now.

Now, Don followed me to do a more thorough job. Unfortunately he has removed 17 of the 20 teeth on the thing, and I think we now need a new one.

In any case, the drain is now free flowing and we can think about how to get the cover to this drain apart. Thanks again.

[Zimectrin]

Also have been told that 'bar' soap will scum up faster than 'body wash' soap.

Don't know if this is fact, but seems to make sense as at room temp bar soap is hard and body wash is still liquid.

[Jay W]

Zimectrin, My DW always complained about my bar soap scum at home and in the RV. When I retired and shower cleaning was passed onto me. Lo and behold I got rid of the bar soap.