Imagine stepping into a warm and steamy shower only to realize that water is pooling at your feet. Well, you guessed it right! It’s a classic case of a clogged shower drain. Knowing the basic steps to unclog a shower drain can come in handy in such moments of need. You might need a professional plumber’s help in certain circumstances, but many of the tricks to unclog a clogged drain are easy enough to try DIY.

What Causes Clogged Shower Drain?

Before you go about trying to unclog the shower drain, it is important to understand what is the culprit behind it. Soap scum and tangled hairs are the top causes of a clogged drain. They accumulate over time, coagulate, and stick to the walls of the pipe slowing or blocking the flow of water.

A Quick Guide to Unclogging a Shower Drain

Depending on what has caused a clogged shower drain, you may try a few methods to fix it. Before you set out to do it, make sure that you have the basic essential tools to carry out the job. Wear rubber gloves to ensure your safety; working with the drain can bring you in contact with chemicals and harmful bacteria.

– Inspect the Shower Drain Mesh

Sometimes the cause of a clogged drain can be the impurities sticking to the shower drain mesh. Pull out the mesh and clear out all the debris. You can inspect the drain and pull out any debris visible using small rods. Use a flashlight to catch any visible clogs.

– Pour Boiling Water

Pour down boiling water into the drain, a liter at a time to see how the water is flowing out. Hot water will loosen any clogs and help in clearing the drain.

– Vinegar and Baking Soda Solution

Prepare a solution with ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup vinegar and immediately pour it into the drain. Cover it and let it sit for an hour or so before pouring boiling water into the drain to flush out any debris.

–  Use a Plunger

If you have a plunger handy at home, use it to remove the clogs in the shower drain. Place the plunger over the mouth of the drain and push it up and down rapidly to force the clog out. Run fresh water to see if the clog is dislodged.

–  Use a Plumbing Snake

Push the plumbing snake into the drain and turn it around to clear the clogs. Run hot water into the drain to flush out the debris.

Most stubborn clogs must be cleared off by using these methods. If the problem persists, then call a professional plumber to have a look at the cause of the clog. Avoid using a chemical drain solution to clog the drain. The chemicals are very harsh and can damage the drain pipes thereby aggravating the problem.

If you run into a clogged drain in Maryland and none of the methods listed above works for you, then call in for the help of professional plumbers from Elite Plumbers.

They offer 24×7 emergency plumbing services in Pasadena, Glen Burnie, Severn, Annapolis, Severna Park, Cape St. Claire, Millersville, Arnold, Gambrills, and Crownsville. Their licensed plumbers respond to issues immediately thus saving you from any further hassle. For impeccable service and affordable pricing, contact Elite Plumbing today!

Certain tell-tale signs are exhibited by drains that are soon going to be clogged. The water drains slower, the drain gives out a nasty odor, or there is a frequent need to use the plunger. If you ignore these signs, you are going to land in a major plumbing emergency and it can put a spanner in your daily plans. It is best to get professional drain cleaning services for unclogging drains at regular intervals to maintain the drains in the best possible condition and to save money in the long run.

The benefits of drain cleaning services are numerous and, in this blog, we are going to discuss the same.

Eliminates Nasty Odors

So much waste goes through the drains and once a clog starts building, it just keeps on accumulating leading to a clogged drain. All the waste that gets stuck there begins to rot and it starts giving out a nasty smell. Professional drain cleaning services can help in unclogging shower drain kitchen drain and do away with all the associated odor so you can do the dishes and take the shower in peace.

Protects the Wall and Floor

Clogged drains when not addressed in time often lead to seepage into the floor and walls. Mold can grow and it can damage the structural integrity leading to expensive repairs. When you take the services of a professional drain cleaner, it eliminates the worry of such complications.

Does Away with the Chances of a Clog

Professional Drain Cleaners do a thorough job of cleaning the drains. So, it does away with the chances of building up clogs in near future. When you experience slow-moving water in your drains, do not use over-the-counter drain cleaners; they do more harm to the pipes and can corrode them leading to bigger issues. By having a professional deal with clogged drains, you don’t have to worry about sewage backup.

It Saves You Money over Time

People often assume that professional drain cleaning services are expensive. But the truth is it saves you money in the long run. When you compare the cost of regular drain cleaning with the plumbing costs associated with clogged drain associated problems.

A slow-moving drain might seem like a minor inconvenience but it will lead to a major issue if not dealt with professionally in time. If you are looking for professional plumbers in Maryland, call in for the services of Elite Plumbing. They are licensed to offer commercial as well as residential plumbing services. The pricing and quotes are upfront and there are no hidden charges. You can rely on them to get sort all your plumbing issues with 100% satisfaction.

A drain camera is a very useful piece of equipment used by professional plumbers to accurately detect and diagnose issues in the sewer or drains. It is a small waterproof camera attached to a cable with a light source that can go deep into the drain and gives a plumber a clear view inside a sewer line. It is very handy in detecting issues that happen in underground sewer lines – like cracked or leaking pipes, the position of clogs and pipe blockages, misaligned pipes, etc. It is used by plumbing professionals to detect the cause of active plumbing issues in a property and is also helpful in finding smaller issues that could become a potentially large problems over time.

Persistent Nasty Smell:

If you are experiencing a persistent nasty smell from the drains in and around your property, there is likely some issue with the sewer line. Previously sewer lines had to be dug up to find out where the issue was, but now a  sewer camera inspection  can come to your rescue. It can detect with accuracy where the blockage/clog is and a professional plumber can remedy it at the earliest.

Frequent Clogged Toilets or Shower Drains:

Clogs in toilets are common or shower drains are common; however, if you experience persistent recurring clogs or blockages in the drains, sinks, and shower drains on your property, it can signify some blockage down in the sewer system. A drainage camera inspection can help in finding the root cause.

Seepage, Water Damage on the Floors and Walls:

Sewage lines are placed under the floor or are covered inside the wall. If any leakage happens in these lines, the drain water will seep into the area causing water damage and mold formation over time. If you find such an issue on your property, a drain camera sewer line inspection to detect the cause of the problem.

High Water Bills: 

Have your water bills suddenly increased, even when your water use habits are the same? There may be some leaks in your plumbing system which is resulting in loss of water. A sewage pipe leakage can lead to a host of other issues. So, it is important to get it sorted fast. A drain camera inspection can be very helpful in this regard.

Slow Drains or Recurrent Sewage Backups:

Slow-moving drains are a huge inconvenience and so are sewage backups. In case of sewage backups, wastewater gets pushed back into the drain or toilet bringing with it foul smell and dangerous contaminants. If you find that these problems are occurring too often on your property, there are likely clogs and blockages in your sewer system. Opting for a drain camera inspection in such a scenario is a sensible thing to do.

If you need help with plumbing services on your property in areas of Maryland, the professional plumbing services at Elite Plumbing can come to your rescue. They are available 24X7, so just call whenever you have any plumbing issue that needs to be fixed.

Loss of water is equivalent to the loss of revenue for the water suppliers. Aging infrastructure, cracks in pipes, and fitting are among the most common causes of water leakage. Since most of the water pipelines are underground, it is impossible to detect leaks until the problems are aggravated and water leakage is causing serious issues like sinkholes, ponding of water, the sinking of pavements, etc. Finding a water leakage in a residential/commercial complex is easier if you have access to the right knowledge and tools. Today with the advancement of science, leak detection services, and systems have evolved and can locate leaks with reasonable accuracy.

Leak Detection Methods

Acoustic Detection:

This is one of the most prevalent systems for water leak detection. In this method, listening pieces of equipment are used to survey the water distribution network and identify leak sounds and find the location of water leakage. The water made by water flowing in a pipe is distinctly different from that made by water leaking from pipes. The distinction in sound helps in identifying leaks. The listening devices are of various types – they can be mobile or fixed, internal or external, and the like.

Leak Detection Through Pressure Difference:

Another way of detecting water leakage is through pressure difference. If the water pressure at the beginning of the pipe is higher than at the end, there is likely water leakage between the two ends of the pipe. Leak detection is just a preliminary step. To minimize water loss through leakage, a water leakage detector or a water leak protection system must be in place. There must be a system of continuous audits to survey the water distribution network and a full-scale audit must be performed every year that evaluates the accuracy of the entire system.

Detecting leaks in a household is not that hard a task – it is a thing of periodic monitoring and maintenance. There are professional plumbing service providers who offer leak detection and leak protection services. If you feel that the water pressure in any particular faucet in the house is not up to the mark, or if the water pressure throughout the house is low, there is likely some water leakage.

Elite Plumbing Services in Maryland provides water leakage detection services and can help you fix water leakage in your residential or commercial complex. They can help you with installing water leak detection systems on the premises that automatically turns the water off in case of a leak. You can monitor your water consumption and turn on/off the water supply at the touch of a button. If you have got water leakage problems, call them today and find a resolution.

Kitchen clogs are very common. No matter how careful you are about what goes down the pipe, sooner or later you are likely to face a kitchen drain clog. The main culprits that cause a clogged drain are leftover food bits, cooking grease, coffee grounds, etc. And unfortunately, you can’t foretell about the timing of the clog. Preventive maintenance of the drains at regular intervals is the only way to stay at the top of your game. So, what are some of the easy ways to keep your kitchen drain clean and unclogged? Let’s discuss.

Keep a Mesh Drain Strainer in Place:

It is one of the simplest ways to prevent a clogged drain. A mesh drain strainer is easily available in a hardware convenience store. Any leftover food bits get trapped in the mesh leaving the drain pipe clean.

Never Pour Food Grease in the Kitchen Sink:

Cooking oil grease along with other food solids great big clogs in the drainage system. If you have to do away with cooking oil, put it in a container and put it in the trash can.

Rinse The Kitchen Sink with Hot Water from Time to Time:

Hot water can soften the building up of any clogs and keep the drainage system clog-free.

Don’t Let Leftover Food Go Down the Kitchen Pipe:

Make sure never to let any leftover food bits go down the kitchen sink pipe. Always dispose of the leftover foods responsibly before doing the dishes in the sink.

Use Natural Cleansers:

If you feel the water is not draining down the sink fast enough, you can try natural cleansers like baking soda and vinegar. Mix a cup of baking soda with 2 cups of vinegar and pour it down the kitchen sink. When the fizz subsides in 10-15 minutes, pour some hot water and thoroughly rinse the sink.

Use a Drain Snake:

A drain snake is also known as a plumber snake to clean the drain from the time to time.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals and Call a Profession Plumber Instead

If none of the above steps help you when you are faced with a clogged drain, remember not to use any harsh chemicals. They will unclog the drain, but their acidic ingredients will corrode your pipes and lead to expensive repair in the long run. Instead, call a professional plumber and let him do the needful you.

If you are looking for professional plumbing services in Maryland for unclogging shower drains, cleaning drains, or unclogging a clogged toilet or kitchen pipe, then avail of the services of Elite Plumbing. Their services are quick, reliable, and affordable. Call today.