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MightyMen · Nov 14, 2008, 11:04 PM

Good morning all,

I've got a problem that's really worrying me at the minute and has been for about 2 weeks now. I've tried fixing the problem using information I've found on the internet but have been unable to, and have hitherto not made a thread detailing my specific situation because I'm worried about what the answer might be (i.e. spending a lot of money which I don't have!) :o

Basically, a couple of weeks ago my girlfriend stayed over in my room at my university accommodation, and she spent a long time in the bathroom 'beautifying', by which I mean waxing or shaving or brushing her hair or something; I really don't know. Since then, my shower has been draining painfully slowly, to the point where I can't properly shower because the unit begins to get too filled. I'm guessing there's a lot of hair in there, and I'm pretty sure it crops up sometimes *winces* :o:eek:

I tried using a plunger hoping it would suck it up, hot water, bleach and a coat hanger in sheer desperation, but I just cannot solve the problem :( The problem is that because it's university accommodation, it's just been built really cheaply. So, it's just like a step in rectangular shower unit and the drain is in the middle and basically cemented all the way around, so I can't take anything off if you see what I mean. I think it's impossible to actually access the hairs, which I presume to be far down because I can't see them.

I'm really worried because it's university accommodation and they're going to charge me an arm and a leg for this- it's happened to someone before and they don't even let us find our own cheap plumbers!! :mad:

I just thought I'd ask on here as a last shot. If anyone has ANY ideas, then I'd be really grateful. I'll try ANYTHING and I'm willing to buy anything.

Thank you :)

reysdabest · Nov 14, 2008, 11:14 PM

There is a thing called a snake. You cam easily go to a hardware store and buy one they r cheap. All u have to do is stick it between the drain holes and feed it in as far as it goes in and then all you have to do is turn it clockwise and should pull them hair out. OK hope I have been of some help...

Milo Dolezal · Nov 14, 2008, 11:16 PM

It is not end of the World: Go to Home Depot, rent 3/8" drain snake for $38.00 for 4 hours, remove drain cover and snake your drain.

Oh, and how hairy is exactly your girlfriend? :-D

MightyMen · Nov 14, 2008, 11:21 PM

Sorry, I should have stated explicitly I'm from the UK!

We do still have plumbing shops over here, though :p But I've never heard of a snake.

Is this the thing: Legend Cookshops

Also, Milo Dolezal: 1- I can't remove my drain cover because it's cemented in, 2- That's personal! Hehe :p

Milo Dolezal · Nov 14, 2008, 11:26 PM

Well the snake you posted is too small for your problem. Snake should look like one of these... Also, the drain top is removable. It has either 2 screws or is snapped in. In this case, take skinny flat screw driver, put it under the edge and it will come up..

MightyMen · Nov 14, 2008, 11:32 PM

Wow! I've no idea where I'm going to find one of those. Do you think any of these could work:

1- Draper 4.7M X 6mm Drain Cleaning Spring With Turning Handle - 597 - 22171 - Draper Drain & Pipe Cleaning Tools

2- Monument 3350D Closet Auger 6Ft X 3/8In - 3350D - MON3350 - Monument Drain & Pipe Cleaning Tools

3- Draper 1.8M X 6mm Pipe And Sink Cleaner - 596 - 68872 - Draper Drain & Pipe Cleaning Tools

They seem to be the best I can find :S I think maybe they're called something else in the UK too. I'll go and check at a Plumbing store

speedball1 · Nov 15, 2008, 06:32 AM

I would pick #1 to snake a shower drain. This would be better, (see image).
For your shower, First remove the strainer,(TIP: put the screws in the soap dish. They will be hard to replace if they go down the drain.) Now work your snake past the trap and 6 or 7 feet beyond. When you pull the snake back it should have the hair that was clogging your shower on the auger tip. Now pour 1/4 gallon of bleach down in the trap and let it set over night. Next morning pour a pan of boiling down the shower to clear what's left and make your drain smell nice. Good luck and thanks for rating my answer. Tom

Ascient · Nov 15, 2008, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by speedball1

I would pick #1 to snake a shower drain. This would be better, (see image).
For your shower, First remove the strainer,(TIP: put the screws in the soap dish. They will be hard to replace if they go down the drain.) Now work your snake past the trap and 6 or 7 feet beyond. When you pull the snake back it should have the hair that was clogging your shower on the auger tip. Now pour 1/4 gallon of bleach down in the trap and let it set over night. Next morning pour a pan of boiling down the shower to clear what's left and make your drain smell nice. Good luck and thanks for rating my answer. Tom

Thanks for your advice. The problem I have, mate, is that I can't remove the strainer. It's cemented into the shower unit so I can't pull it out. Should I try to just push the snake through the drain like that? And then twist to pull away the hairs?

Milo Dolezal · Nov 15, 2008, 04:44 PM

Mate, the strainer is always removable. If it is cemented in then take a small minuature chisel, or flat screw driver, and gently chip off concrete covering edges of the drain. Once all exposed, pop it out...

Give it a try, you don't want to licensed plumber to do it for you. Plumbers charge tons of money these days...

Regarding the "snakes": the 1st one and 3rd one will work. However, try to get one that has some kind of plastic handle or you will screw up your hands.

speedball1 · Nov 16, 2008, 10:11 AM

The problem I have, mate, is that I can't remove the strainer. It's cemented into the shower unit so I can't pull it out.

Follow Milos advice and removec the cement from around the edge of the strainer. Shower strainers come in two flavors.
A snap in strainer and a screw type strainer, (see images) with the screw type the most popular.

Regarding the "snakes": the 1st one and 3rd one will work. However, try to get one that has some kind of plastic handle or you will screw up your hands.

More good advice by Milo. Get a snake that you can crank and not one that you simply push. Good luck, Tom

Ascient · Nov 16, 2008, 12:36 PM

Thanks again for the help guys. If I take out the strainer forcefully using a chisel/screw driver, then how will I put it back in? Won't it be too big to go back in after?

I'm going to try it anyway as the problem's getting really bad, so by the time you read this I will already have done it. Thank you very much for all your advice and sorry for being so clueless :/

Milo Dolezal · Nov 16, 2008, 02:40 PM

Mate, you are not the only one with this problem. These days, there is a variety of drain strainers on market. Sizes are pretty much standardized. As Tom correctly said in his last post, the drain covers come either as "Snap-In" or have 2 s.s. screws. You will most likely be using the Snap-in one.

Chip off the concrete around the drain carefully. Don't overdo it. Threat it like a lady. Easy does it. Take off only to uncover the edge of the cover. New cover will fit right in. If you overdo it, than you will have to get bit of grout of the same color and touch it up.