What is usually in there
Hair tangles on the strainer crossbars and the tub's stopper linkage, and soap film binds it into a rope. Bar soap and some body washes leave more residue than others, and hard water adds mineral scale that roughens the pipe and helps the mat stick. Anaheim's water, like much of North Orange County, is hard, so scale is part of the picture.
Tubs usually have a pop-up or trip-lever stopper with a linkage hidden behind the overflow plate, which is a favorite place for hair to collect. Showers usually have a screw-down or snap-in strainer over a straight drop to the trap.
Clearing a typical hair clog
- Remove the strainer or stopper.Unscrew or lift it out. On trip-lever tubs, remove the overflow plate screws and pull the linkage up to clean it.
- Pull out hair.A plastic barbed drain strip or a bent wire reaches the mat just below the opening.
- Flush and test.Run hot tap water for a minute and watch whether it drains freely.
- Reassemble.Put the stopper and overflow plate back so the tub still holds water and the overflow works.
When it is more than hair
- IfThe drain is clear near the top but still slowThenThe clog is in the trap or branch. A small cable or a plumber is next.
- IfThe tub fills with gray or dirty water when a toilet flushesThenThis points to the main line. Stop using water and have the main cleared.
- IfBoth the tub and the bathroom sink are slowThenThey may share a branch line that is partly blocked.
- IfWater leaks onto the floor or ceiling below during showersThenThat is a separate leak, often at the drain seal or valve, not a clog.
Quick facts
- Most common cause
- Hair bound with soap residue
- Usual location
- Strainer, stopper linkage or trap
- Local factor
- Hard water scale
- Main line warning
- Tub fills when a toilet flushes
Questions to ask if you call a plumber
- Is the clog in the trap, the branch or the main line?
- Will clearing it require removing the overflow plate or strainer?
- Is the tub drain or overflow gasket worn and worth replacing while you are here?
- Does the camera or cable show scale buildup in the pipe?
Common questions
Why does my shower drain smell?
Decaying hair and soap in the trap is the usual cause. A sewer smell can also come from a dry trap in a shower that is rarely used, or from a venting issue.
Is baking soda and vinegar effective?
It can loosen light soap film, but it will not dissolve a hair mat. Removing the hair by hand is far more effective.
My tub drains fine but the shower upstairs is slow. Why?
They are on different branches. The upstairs shower likely has its own clog near its strainer or trap.
General information for Anaheim, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.