Bounder: Shower drain

[senljk]

I have a slow shower drain. What product can I use to help it?

[pasdad1]

Take the grate off and look in there..... you will most likely see a big clog of hair. Try to pull the hair out with screwdriver and needle nose pliers. Don’t use those zip tie things with teeth on them.....it will damage the valve which lets water flow down but blocks sewer smells from coming up.

I have heard boiling water will sometimes help if the clog is from soap and hair care products which have dried.

You are using liquid soap, I hope ? Don’t use bar soap.

When you get things good again, use a hair trap in the drain from now on. Hair Shroom or similar.....

[senljk]

Originally Posted by pasdad1

Take the grate off and look in there..... you will most likely see a big clog of hair. Try to pull the hair out with screwdriver and needle nose pliers. Don’t use those zip tie things with teeth on them.....it will damage the valve which lets water flow down but blocks sewer smells from coming up.

I have heard boiling water will sometimes help if the clog is from soap and hair care products which have dried.

You are using liquid soap, I hope ? Don’t use bar soap.

When you get things good again, use a hair trap in the drain from now on. Hair Shroom or similar.....

It doesn't look like the grate is removable..it is down in there about 1.5"
Also-are you recommending using liquid soap when showering instead of bar soap? Curious why.
Also IF it is hair that is causing the slow drain, is there a safe product i can also use to clean the drain?

[69Stang]

Don't use bar soap? Haven't heard that one before.

[lynch763]

I use a hair trap over the drain but it still clogs up over time. Then I use a drain snake:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/bestsell...7_3226846011_1

[computerguy]

Def remove any hair you see. I found even a little will slow things down.
Not sure what grate you have but I have one that is round and flush with the shower floor. That one is removable. Then there is a cross in the drain that some may think is a grate, it is not, and not removable AFAIK.
I used a scoop of oxiclean when mine became slow. Place a scoop and a a little water to get it into the trap. Let it sit for a few hours then HOT water for a few minutes. Works great now. And this was only after 4 years of living full time in the rv and showering once a day (I am solo).

[aog928]

Originally Posted by 69Stang

Don't use bar soap? Haven't heard that one before.

Bar soap leaves soap scum that builds up over time, especially with harder water.

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by senljk

It doesn't look like the grate is removable..it is down in there about 1.5"

Also-are you recommending using liquid soap when showering instead of bar soap? Curious why.

Also IF it is hair that is causing the slow drain, is there a safe product i can also use to clean the drain?

The round plate that is flush with the drain comes off. It is below this plate where hair, etc will collect.

Bar soap is solid at room temperature, and returns to a solid after the water evaporates.... creates a hard scum which accumulates in pipes, tank, everywhere.

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by lynch763

I use a hair trap over the drain but it still clogs up over time. Then I use a drain snake:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/bestsell...7_3226846011_1

Don’t do this if your RV shower uses a waterless valve similar to this... (many RV’s use a valve like this !)

[Gary RVRoamer]

IMO pasdad1 is being excessively cautious, but he may have some reason for it. I've used bar soap for decades at home & RV and have yet to clog up a drain pipe with it, and our water is hard. Hepvo valves are claimed to be compatible with household drain cleaners and even industrial acid-based cleaners with up to 10% concentration, so no worries about usng common drain openers. And while mechanical drain tools are to be avoided, sticking one of those hair grabbers down enough to catch the hair on the crossbars probably doesn't count - there is no need to jam it in or through the trap. See https://hepvo.com/installation-maintenance/

[Fast E]

Originally Posted by senljk

I have a slow shower drain. What product can I use to help it?

How about a plunger?