Shower not draining freely, unsure how to get access to drain.

Korkyb

Hi all

Moved into a new (to me) house and the drain at the bottom of a shower doesn't seem to be flowing freely.

I can't get my "snake" drain cleaner past the drain trap & am unsure how to get the trap out. (trap = the white plastic bit in the photo, apologies if that's the wrong name for it).

It looks as if it's held in / down by a metal ring which has semi circle notches round it.

I think I need a "tool" to unscrew the metal ring which will then allow access to the drain but have never dealt with a drain like this.

Any advice for a clueless non plumber appreciated.

On night shift & just off to kip so apologies for any delay to questions / answers. 

Thanks! 

Money_Grabber13579

If you have a plunger, I’d try using that. It’s what I always use to unclog my shower drain and I never have to dismantle anything.

Alfrescodave

Definitely try plunger and then leave bleach in it overnight - next morning replunge

TELLIT01

Have you tried using one of the liquid plughole unblockers?  It needs to be one for baths and showers as it has a different formulation to kitchen sink ones.

Slinky

We had a lot of problems with blockages in the bathroom earlier in the year. Our plumber recommended lots of Fairy liquid and boiling water tipped down the sink. The chemical drain cleaners can damage your pipework. It took about 100 kettles worth, half a bottle of fairy and a lot of plunging before we eventually cleared it. Plumber reckoned it was OH's Gillette shaving gel as being the main culprit. He's changed to a foam and we've had no problem since. We make sure we are a bit more generous with water when washing away toothpase too.

Belenus

Does the white plastic central section unscrew or pull up?

Edit: Or perhaps the metal surround unscrews.

donemedosh

Not sure but I think the silver ring with notches in it should unscrew so the white plastic section can be removes & cleaned. My moms wet room had a similar type drain where the insert could be pulled out and cleaned.

GDB2222

donemedosh said:

Not sure but I think the silver ring with notches in it should unscrew so the white plastic section can be removes & cleaned. My moms wet room had a similar type drain where the insert could be pulled out and cleaned.

Something is holding the trap up against the underside of the shower tray. Unless you have access to that, I'd be very cautious about undoing bits. I'd certainly be plunging first. 

Jeepers_Creepers

As GDB says - don't undo anything until you know what they do!

That chrome ring might release the white plastic bit, which would allow access to the trap for cleaning. Might. Or, that white part itself might unscrew, leaving the chrome ring in place. Might. 

That's an unusual square trap, so that must narrow down the make. Start Googling like crazy, until you find the same style :-). 

NSG666

Looks to me like the dip tube (white bit) will just pull out now. Might need to get a good grip possibly with pliers but do be careful not to break it.

J_B

Our en suite sink was similar a while ago.

Plumber suggested caustic soda, and we also tried Mr Muscle something, neither of which were very effective.

Then we tried this https://www.barrettinepro.co.uk/25/337/Toilet-Drain-Unblocker which worked a treat but, be careful how you use it and don't spill any on the surfaces of your shower