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How to unblock a shower drain?

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1235

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  • diable
    diable Posts: 5,258 Forumite
    Fleeting_Glimpse wrote: »
    Hi...try the plunger again first but fill the shower tray right up with water first. Get someone to block the basin or bath waste/overflow whilst you do it if they are connected togather.

    If not....this is more for a professional to do but you can have a go if you want...go to a plumbers merchants and ask for a bottle of 'drain opener'. BE CAREFULL....THIS IS HYDROCHLORIC ACID!!! follow the instructions!!

    If not..you need to call a plumber or take all the waste pipes to bits. There may not be enough fall on them causing it to block.

    Sometimes also there is a 'non return' valve on the waste pipe somewhere if they are joined to a sink or bath waste...these can become blocked.

    I think its called One Shot about £11 works a treat.

    One other thing that you might want to try is to push a long thing screwdriver into the drain and twist it around as a lot of blockages are caused hair especially long hair as this catches crud and other stuff.
  • Dave101t
    Dave101t Posts: 4,157 Forumite
    edited 30 November 2009 at 2:10PM
    we has a bendy pole, wound like a spring and it was specifically designed for bath and shower plugs, as you twist it in it goes through all the hair and crap and pulls it out. no idea where it was bought from or what it was called but it was perfect for physical blockages.

    (trying to find a link)
    aha! something like the 'corkscrew cable' 1/2 way down the link:
    http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.screwfix.com/sfd/i/cat/13/p1094413_m.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/Unblockingdrains.htm&usg=__EwFC5hs2v8bWd-PLcplcceNVjZ4=&h=100&w=100&sz=3&hl=en&start=38&um=1&tbnid=yc6vAsn3oaMPmM:&tbnh=82&tbnw=82&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dplug%2Bunblocker%2Btool%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20%26um%3D1
    Target Savings by end 2009: 20,000
    current savings: 20,500 (target hit yippee!)
    Debts: 8000 (student loan so doesnt count)

    new target savings by Feb 2010: 30,000
  • richardc1983
    richardc1983 Posts: 2,163 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 30 November 2009 at 6:16PM
    All you people reccomending chemicals... the wet & dry vacuum cleaner is the best option as it creates a very strong vacuum that sucks it out the pipe!!! Has never failed when we have done it before!
    If you found my post helpful, please remember to press the THANKS button! --->
  • SplanK
    SplanK Posts: 1,155 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    richardc1983 wrote: »
    All you people reccomending chemicals... the vacuum cleaner is the best option as it creates a very strong vacuum that sucks it out the pipe!!! Has never failed when we have done it before!

    this is quite dangerous advise as not all vacuum's are safe to use with water!!!!!!
  • Dave101t
    Dave101t Posts: 4,157 Forumite
    i thought my advice was helpful, no chemicals.
    Target Savings by end 2009: 20,000
    current savings: 20,500 (target hit yippee!)
    Debts: 8000 (student loan so doesnt count)

    new target savings by Feb 2010: 30,000
  • bungle4x4
    bungle4x4 Posts: 254 Forumite
    Errata wrote: »
    I second that. Mr Muscle Sink and Drain Foamer from Sainsburys, costs about a fiver.


    yep, just done this in my shower, left it overnight and ran hot water down it. unblocked it a treat:o
  • Errata
    Errata Posts: 38,230 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    bungle4x4 wrote: »
    yep, just done this in my shower, left it overnight and ran hot water down it. unblocked it a treat:o
    And unlike the vacuum cleaner tip - it won't electrocute you :D
    .................:)....I'm smiling because I have no idea what's going on ...:)
  • bungle4x4
    bungle4x4 Posts: 254 Forumite
    Dave101t wrote: »
    i thought my advice was helpful, no chemicals.
    with a wet machine (vax water type thing) it should work fine mate, but i dont think it would do your average 'dyson' type machine much cop. would at least block the filters with water.
  • richardc1983
    richardc1983 Posts: 2,163 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    SplanK wrote: »
    this is quite dangerous advise as not all vacuum's are safe to use with water!!!!!!


    If u read the previous post I specifically quoted a wet & dry vac!
    If you found my post helpful, please remember to press the THANKS button! --->
  • bungle4x4
    bungle4x4 Posts: 254 Forumite
    edited 30 November 2009 at 6:55PM
    richardc1983 wrote: »
    If u read the previous post I specifically quoted a wet & dry vac!


    after an edit .... :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:nice try though

    All you people reccomending chemicals... the wet & dry vacuum cleaner is the best option as it creates a very strong vacuum that sucks it out the pipe!!! Has never failed when we have done it before!


    Last edited by richardc1983; Today at 5:16 PM..

    before it said

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by richardc1983 viewpost.gif
    All you people reccomending chemicals... the vacuum cleaner is the best option as it creates a very strong vacuum that sucks it out the pipe!!! Has never failed when we have done it before!
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