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View Full Version : What can I use to clear a shower drain that is clogged with thinset?


Alluminati
Jan 13, 2011, 02:31 PM
I remodeled my master shower over the last 6 months. When I finshed I discovered that tha shower does not drain at all. I suspect that I got some self-leveling thinsetdown it. I was able to get some of the clog out using a power snake. And even more with straight muratic acid. Know the clog is just past the P trap and the acid is not helping. Is there anything else I can try to clear out this problem. Without busting up the shower or digging up the foundation ( the shower is on the corner of the house, putting the drain about 2 feet from the corner of the slab).

massplumber2008
Jan 13, 2011, 03:38 PM
Hi Alluminati...

Bummer!

I don't really know of anything that can help beyond what you have done so far, but perhaps you could try choking a wet/dry vacuum hose down to a 1/2" or 3/4" flexible hose with a stiff end and then try feeding that into the drain hoping to chip and suck at the same time?

Another, worst case thought, was if you know what direction the 2" underground shower drain pipe heads off to you could open the floor in an area outside the new shower and then cut into the pipe and snake backward toward the PTRAP... maybe? Here, again, I would use the wet/dry vac and a longer hose with a stiffened end and then poke away at the outlet of the trap... can't be too much thinset down there... I HOPE!

Glad to discuss more if you like...

Mark

hkstroud
Jan 13, 2011, 04:41 PM
Can't see the blockage being beyond the trap unless you completely fill the trap with thinset. If you you did that, your blockage would be complete. Perhaps your blockage is something else. Shine flash light down shower drain. If you have blockage due to thinset you should see some thinset in bottom of trap. If so try breaking it up with a small steel rod and a hammer. It won't really be stuck to the PVC so if you can break it up you should be able to vacuum it out or flush it away.