How to remove hair clogs in drains

If you’ve noticed your shower draining slower than usual, it may be obstructed. A number of things can cause drain obstructions but in the case of the bath or shower, the most common culprit of a clog is a build up of hair!

Fortunately hair clogs are most of the time self manageable and can be fixed with household items.

5 ways to remove hair clogs from drains

Snake or Auger
The simplest and most effective way to remove hair clogs is to simply grab the hair and pull it out. To do this you’ll need the help of a handy plumbers snake, august or even a wire coat hanger. The long, sturdy but flexible wire can be inserted down the drain and by using a hook on the end; grab the clog and pull it out!

Boiling water
Hair combined with soap and grease build up is what forms the blockage. Boiling water breaks down the grease that is holding the hair and can often eliminate the hair clog entirely. Pour boiling water from the kettle directly down the drain, flushing it out.

Bi carb and vinegar
Bi carb soda and vinegar is a safe, environmentally friendly solution to reduce build ups and blockages in drains that acts in a similar way to its chemical counterparts. When 1 cup of bi carb is poured into the drain followed by 1 cup of vinegar a chemical reaction occurs that cleans drains and helps remove clogs. This cleaning method is one you can keep up regularly to keep your drains flowing freely.

Plunger
When the shower is running, use a plunger to make a seal around the drain and apply pressure to plunge the drain. Remove the plunger and see if the clog has loosened enough for you to be able to pull it out by hand.

Call a plumber
If all else fails and none of these DIY methods work or your drain keeps getting blocked over and over again, it’s time to call a plumber! Using their tools of the trade a plumber will be able to identify the issue and unclog your drains and get to the source of the problem!