How do I remove the shower drainage plug? (Resolved)

bjorn_toby_wilde

If it doesn’t just pull straight up then it’s probably gunged up or welded in with limescale. Have you tried pouring vinegar around it and leaving to soak?

casper_gutman

Personally, if it's draining slowly rather than completely blocked solid then I'd try a proprietary drain chemical plughole unblocker first (Mr Muscle or own brand equivalent).

In terms of removing the cover I'd agree with the others that the grating part must surely pull straight out. It can't rotate due to those interlocking features on the edge. Long-nosed pliers or a hook the reaches through before pulling up seem like good options.

If it's jammed up with soapy residue then you could try pouring a kettle down or running the shower as hot as it goes for a while to soften the gunk. If it's jammed with limescale then vinegar might help, but it might just drain away too quickly to do much. If that's the case then a thickened commercial descaler (Viakal or equivalent) might cling to the scale and work better. 

Jemma01

Thank you all so so much, if only I asked before I broke it 🙈 it pulled up in the end

I poured some limescale remover over the drain and left it there for few hours, I just went back and tried to pull it upwards and it came out with little force !! I'm relieved, took 6 weeks of back and forth 😖

As I need to find a replacement, I will look and see if there is an alternative that could prevent hair from reaching down in the first place, I have a lot of hair that's long and sheds 😩

bjorn_toby_wilde said:

If it doesn’t just pull straight up then it’s probably gunged up or welded in with limescale. Have you tried pouring vinegar around it and leaving to soak?

Appreciated, why I didn't think about the limescale remover is beyond me 🙈💐

victor2

Well done @Jemma01. Always good to hear other suggestions when faced with such problems!

plumb1_2

Look very similar to a Mc Alpine 40mm shower waste 

Jemma01

plumb1_2 said:

Look very similar to a Mc Alpine 40mm shower waste 

Thank you, the search for this led me to the name I need to search for "shower waste trap/grid" mine is Mira, so I found the picture of exactly what I need, it has little grooves at the corners and horrible plastic... if I can find it sold alone, I'd be a lucky lady 😁

plumb1_2

Have a look at toolstation product 81491 , you can just use the center part.
Sadly most are plastic nowadays, gone are chrome plated brass ones where the norm 

jennifernil

If you google shower drain hair catcher, you may well find something that will work for you

silvercar

I have similar and I have long showers and long hair. The top piece lifts up easily, but the insert needs a turn and pull to remove. Giving that a good clean under a hot tap w washing up liquid before replacing makes the shower flow far better. The most difficult part is replacing the insert - I often struggle with that.

Jemma01

plumb1_2 said:

Have a look at toolstation product 81491 , you can just use the center part.
Sadly most are plastic nowadays, gone are chrome plated brass ones where the norm 

Oh that looks like it, I just passed by them today! Thank you so much, I'll take my part and see if it looks the same 🙏

silvercar said:

I have similar and I have long showers and long hair. The top piece lifts up easily, but the insert needs a turn and pull to remove. Giving that a good clean under a hot tap w washing up liquid before replacing makes the shower flow far better. The most difficult part is replacing the insert - I often struggle with that.

By the insert, do you mean the plastic part that sits under the grid piece (top part)? Had a plastic part in my previous flat that was great at catching hairs, this shower doesn't have anything past the top piece. Not very thoughtful design, but then it's probably 15yrs old! 

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I just bought HG unclog liquid, I'll wait the 60mins and see what happens. I have high hopes 🥹. Couldn't find a similar brush to the one @twopenny posted here.