How to properly clean the drain in a shower stall with your own hands?
The drain is not such a complex product, it is simple in its design, like a nail, it is difficult to install, the screed must be correct, plus the drainage angle, plus a smart tiler who knows that the drain should be just below the level of the tiles.
You can go from simple to complex. You need to remove the ladder grate, it can be easily removed, if not, then bend the wire with a hook at the end, insert it into the hole or slot of the ladder grate and pull it towards you (up).
The grate has been removed, there is a kind of jumper in front of us, if you pull it towards you, you can pull the drain out of the sewer pipe. True, sometimes the elastic band “sticks” and it’s difficult to pull the ladder out; try swinging it from side to side and pulling it up at the same time.
Normal drains are equipped with so-called traps; when you remove the grate, clean them; hair and all that usually collect there, and they clog the drain. You can use a short wire, but if the traps are clogged, then most often a finger is enough.
A more difficult option is cleaning the pipes that lead to the ladder. It is not possible to disassemble them, they are under a coupler, all that remains is to work with a special cable, there are cables with a brace at the end, and there are ones for a drill.
The cable can be inserted both into the pipe that goes under the drain, and into the pipe that connects to the drain pipe of the drain.
I don’t recommend pouring any chemicals; you can simply “kill” all the plastic pipes and end up with expensive repairs, including removing the screed and making a new one.
Well, the last option, maybe you will be lucky. The drain has been cleaned, now we go to the farthest point of the general sewer system, for example, to the kitchen, open the hot water tap and pour for an hour, boiling water dissolves the fat in the pipes, don’t worry about the pipes, they can withstand this temperature.
When independently arranging hygienic premises in a country house, in a house, in an apartment, we most often strive not to save money, but to remodel the space to suit personal requirements. That’s why we often choose not ready-made proposals, but install a shower drain in the floor under the tiles and build a unique shower stall. With all the desire to achieve an ideal result, not all of us know how this work is done. Do you agree?
We will share with you all the subtleties and nuances of installing a shower without the usual tray and standard designs. We will tell you about the types of plumbing drains, guidelines for their selection and the materials required to implement the idea.
The article we presented contains all the answers to the questions of independent craftsmen and customers of construction team services. The process of constructing a shower with your own hands is described in detail. Diagrams, photos and video selections will greatly facilitate familiarization with the information.
Why the drain in the shower gets clogged ↑
Clogged shower drain
- Random items. It often happens that small objects get into the drain hole. They do not pass through the sewer pipes and remain in the siphon. This may cause poor water flow.
- Hair, garbage. After each bath, a certain amount of hair, threads from clothes, and debris ends up in the sewer. Even in a very clean bathroom this is inevitable. Accumulating in the siphon, hair clumps into clumps that block the drain.
- Grease, soap residue. Over time, deposits consisting of a film of grease and soap accumulate on the inner walls of sewer pipes. The lumen of the pipes narrows, deposits become compacted, and debris sticks to them. This is how blockages gradually form.
Clogged shower stall
Mirror
Many showers come with built-in mirrors, which require proper care to keep them clean and looking great. To eliminate stains on a mirror, you can use several methods:
- Apply lemon juice to the surface of the mirror, leave for 10 minutes and thoroughly wipe the surface with a soft cloth.
- You can mix water and ammonia in equal proportions. This product is ideal for polishing mirrors. You can use crumpled newspapers to rub the surface and remove streaks.
- Alcohol-containing products help deal with black stains. You can create a solution of water and vodka in a ratio of 10: 1. You need to moisten a cloth with this product and wipe the mirror. Crumpled newspaper will help eliminate stains.
How to clean a shower drain ↑
To remove a serious clog in your shower stall, it is best to call a plumber. This should be done if a solid object has fallen into the drain and cannot be removed or pushed further down the drain. If the problem arose due to clumps of hair, fur, or a layer of fat on the walls of the pipes, then the problem can be solved independently.
Hair and dirt in the drain
Option #1: clean the siphon ↑
Plumbing siphons under showers and bathtubs constantly become clogged with hair. It is advisable to clean them not only when the problem has already become obvious, but also simply for prevention (4-6 times a year). This will improve drain performance and help prevent clogged shower drains.
Siphon under the tray
- Place a container under the drain where the water will flow out. This is necessary so that after cleaning the siphon there is no dirt or moisture left.
- Remove the closure nut, then the flask.
- Wait until the water flows out of the water seal.
- Remove dirt and debris from the siphon, rinse thoroughly with clean water and remove any plaque on the walls.
- Replace the siphon. Make sure that the drain pipe does not press against the flask. This is important for the normal operation of the water seal.
- Open the water, make sure the siphon is not leaking. If the connections are dry, the shower stall can be used again. If not, tighten the connections more tightly.
Option #2: use a plunger ↑
A plunger is a simple plumbing fixture that should be in every home. It is a hemispherical rubber valve for creating a vacuum in the sewer. Due to this, air is removed from the system and normal operation of the devices is restored. For ease of use, a handle – wooden or plastic – is attached to the device.
Plunger with plastic handle
- Before using the plunger, it is advisable to lubricate its edges with Vaseline. This will improve the adhesion of the suction cup to the surface of the plumbing fixture.
- If the shower tray is dry, you need to fill it with some water. It should cover the head of the plunger.
- The plunger valve is installed on the drain so that its edges fit tightly to the surfaces and the drain hole is completely closed.
- The device should be placed at a slight angle to allow air to escape from the valve. This is necessary to clean the drain using water, not air.
- Pumping the handle up and down, make 15-20 forward movements with the plunger.
- The final stage is washing. You need to open the tap and flush the drain well with water, preferably hot. This will help remove any remaining debris, soap, and grease that may be causing the clog.
Rating
My rating contains water drainage devices only from those manufacturers whose products I have ever installed. Based on my experience, I can say that European manufacturers all make good products; when purchasing, you need to look at the price and equipment.
And so they are more or less all the same. I do not recommend purchasing cheap Chinese and Turkish trays and ladders. Replacing a drain costs 10-20 times more than the cost of the product + installation. I think it is better to initially buy a higher quality product.
My rating of point drains
Shower drain Tim BAD011002
This product has 2 advantages:
- Low cost, about 500 rubles;
- Small height - 67 mm.
Among the disadvantages: the ladder must initially be set exactly at the height of the finishing floor covering. No dry shutter. Of the 4 drains purchased by the customer, 3 leaked at the welding site. Maybe it was a defective batch, but I installed these ladders only once and didn’t risk it again.
Bath drain, shower drain TECE S110
Several times we had to install such ladders. When purchasing, you need to look at the package. The set may not include legs and a dry siphon. I can’t say anything bad about this ladder, but, in my opinion, the price is a bit high.
Drain drain AlcaPlast
The Czech manufacturer AlcaPlast produces many products for draining water. Among everything I've put on, this is a solid average. On the one hand, the plastic is flimsy, on the other hand, there have never been any problems with these ladders and trays.
Point shower drain Aco
These products are of high quality with an increased throughput of up to 120 liters per minute. Suitable for any rain shower. The cost is also high. I installed them several times, but they were strong and reliable, but expensive.
Viega Advantix shower drain
I like these ladders most of all due to the price-quality ratio. That's why I installed them most in my life. I don’t know the exact number, but I definitely supplied a couple of hundred pieces. There are no problems with them. Dry shutter included. The plastic is strong.
My rating of shower trays
Drainage channel AlcaPLAST Simple
Pros: good quality plastic. Waterproofing tape included. Combined siphon, when water evaporates, no odor will appear in the room.
Disadvantages: I didn’t like how the legs were adjusted. Low flow rate: 28 liters per minute. I wouldn't install one like this for a rain shower.
Gutter trays ACO (Ako)
They are made in Germany from high quality stainless steel. This is a premium brand, so they are relatively expensive, but there are several budget models. I only installed this once. I can't say anything bad.
Drainage channel TECE TECElinus
They also make it in Germany and the price is also high: trays from 15 thousand rubles and a grill will cost another 5 thousand. I can't say anything bad, but it seems to me that the price is too high.
Shower tray Viega Advantix
Made in Germany. Drainage channels were made of stainless steel or plastic + stainless steel. Good quality. I have never had any problems with the products of this brand, I recommend it for purchase . But the price tag is also not cheap and starts from 15 thousand rubles.
MIANO gutter trays
Over the last year I have been recommending them to all my customers. Made in the Czech Republic. The plastic is strong. There are cases in charcoal black, which looks cool. Everyone usually has gray plastic.
Drainage channel complete with water seal and dry seal. High flow rate: suitable for rain showers.
Convenient adjustment of legs during installation. They can be twisted directly through the body with a screwdriver. This speeds up installation of the tray significantly.
Waterproofing included. At the same time, the price tag is average. In my understanding, these gutters are ideal in terms of price-quality ratio.
I buy MIANO shower trays in the Akvamosaika online store ; these products are not sold in offline stores in my city.
Advice from the “Kulibins” and “Mendeleevs” ↑
Our compatriots have always been distinguished by their ingenuity. They know how to find the simplest, cheapest and most reliable ways to solve problems. How to clean a shower stall using traditional methods? You can make a homemade cable actually from garbage - from an old plastic bottle, or you can make a caustic cleaning mixture from soda and vinegar.
Folk sewer cleaning method
DIY plastic cable ↑
If it is not possible to buy a cable at a hardware store, you can easily make it yourself from an ordinary plastic bottle. The best part is that it will clean your drains much more gently than rough metal products. Using such a homemade product, you do not risk damaging the siphon, and to make it you only need a bottle and scissors.
- Apply a pattern on the bottle in the form of a spiral with a distance between turns of 1.5-2 cm.
- Cut the bottle along the lines, leaving a small “eye” at the end of the spiral tape, which will serve as a handle in the future.
- Cut the edges of the tape to create an impromptu pipe cleaner.
- Use a plastic cable in the same way as a metal one, but keep in mind that the material is fragile.
- Do not use too much force when turning it in the drain, because... the tape may break and remain in the sewer.
Step-by-step installation
The installation of a drain should be thought out during the construction of a shower room or installation of a shower stall
Installation of a shower drain
Important! To install the drain in the finished room, you will have to completely dismantle the floor surface.
If the drain pipes have expired and they look unsightly, then they need to be replaced with polypropylene ones. Before installation, it is necessary to ensure a “sanitary” space near the pipe, to ensure that it does not overlap.
Tools
Before installing the drain, you need to provide a layer of moisture insulation under the floor. To do this, the subfloor is coated with a thin layer of concrete mixture. To produce it you will need: a mixer for mixing the mixture, a spatula, a trowel, and wiping ends.
Full list of tools:
- tape measure, convenient measuring accessories;
- “diamond” disc for cutting tiles at the joint;
- A set of screwdrivers and wrenches for working with joint fastenings;
- Pliers.
Preparing the base
The outlet pipe of the drain must fit tightly into the sewer pipe. The joint is treated with sealant on the outer surface of the joint pipe. There should be an allowance of 1-2 mm between the pipe diameters.
Video: cleaning with soda and vinegar ↑
To unclog your shower stall, use any of the methods listed above. To ensure that such problems arise as rarely as possible in the future, install a special fine mesh over the drain hole. This cheap device prevents debris from entering the siphon and protects the nervous system of the owners. For prevention, you can also clean the siphon once every 2-3 months or use special chemicals.
User comments
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Exploitation
Sink valves are easy to operate. Care consists of control and timely cleaning (if necessary). To clean the shutter device, remove the grate, remove the water seal from the glass, and remove deposits. In general, mechanical cleaning is rarely resorted to. To make siphons less likely to become clogged, experts recommend cleaning the sealing product once every six months as a preventative measure. This is done using household chemicals suitable for plastic structures.
If a blockage occurs, air purging of the hydraulic seal under high pressure is unacceptable. It can lead to rupture of parts of the structure. It is also unacceptable to try to remove debris with sharp objects, as this can damage the walls of the corrugated pipe or other parts of the valve structure.
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Have you been taking a shower and noticed that the water is taking too long to drain? After water procedures in the shower stall, does the tray slowly become empty of water? Have you recently started to smell an unpleasant odor in your bathroom? Most likely, you are faced with a clogged drain, a frequent and almost inevitable phenomenon.
It’s worth saying right away that a blockage in the shower drain is not a consequence of poor quality care and does not mean that you have a bad siphon installed. The fact is that during bathing, water containing particles of skin, hair, substances, remnants of detergents and body cleansers, dust and even street dirt gets into the pipes. Since we shower frequently, all these contaminants accumulate in the siphon, and over time their volume can become such that the lumen of the pipes becomes clogged. The result is a blockage.
Conclusion
In this article I shared my experience and opinion, which is very subjective. I have ordinary customers, so I rarely supply premium products.
I always try to balance price=quality.
You can safely choose products from a popular and well-known European brand and it will work for you for quite a long time.
Don't go for the cheap stuff. When you make a shower drain in the floor and water leaks somewhere under the tiles, dampness and fungus will appear. This will be quite expensive to fix. As I already wrote above, replacing a tray or drain costs several tens of times more than the cost of the product and the work to install it.
I wrote my reviews about ladders and trays and talked about the nuances. If you found the article useful, please like it and ask your questions in the comments.
How to clear a drain if the blockage is not very strong
Is water draining slowly from the cabin pan? Is there an unpleasant odor in the room? This means your drain is clogged, but the problem has not yet become serious. However, you need to start solving it now, otherwise very soon the drain will become completely clogged.
The first step is to treat the drain using traditional home remedies. Pour half a glass of soda into the drain, pour in the same amount of vinegar and wait an hour and a half. Then rinse the drain hole with a powerful stream of hot water. This method helps to cope with small blockages that have recently formed. By the way, it would not be amiss to carry out such cleaning as a preventive measure so that the drain does not become clogged.
Best answers
Zverskaya:
))))))))))))))). I have the same thing and it was the same, you can lift it with a knife with a thin blade, at least it worked for me)). twist and pry at the same time...
Oksana Nikolaevna:
You'll have to manually rake it out as the thread breaks)))
Snezhana:
Have you tried it with a plunger?
125aaa:
How about calling divers?? ? Or buying a motor pump for pumping out water?
I don’t have a screwdriver at home, should I pick up a plug???
Daria Sorokina:
It was such crap. I loosened it with a plunger! . Then she turned the valve and helped me climb back in with my hand!
Artyom Rumyantsev:
Well, she didn’t get in there with the plug; the plug just wouldn’t open.
Irina:
First, scoop out the water from the bath and drain it to reduce the pressure. Then loosen, pry, etc.
Damir:
))) Scoop out the water to the bottom into the sink, using a rag or sponge to remove the remaining residue. and when it becomes free, use some thread.
rrr:
there should still be a safety drain on top to prevent excess water. Eat?…
Marina Kurilova:
All the water into the sink and then with pressure or something sharp. and for future ones there is no need to tighten the screw on this plug all the way
Hope:
It’s so good that I have a rubber stopper in my bathroom! =)
Sinister Copper:
Hmmm! ..to use such a bathroom... you need to take special courses... .And besides, this is further proof that the simpler the design, the more reliable it works....
Natalya Nikotina:
Elementary... For this operation you need an ordinary suction cup. There is another option, without a suction cup. A resourceful friend told me about him. But for this option you will have to first scoop out all the water. Turn on the vacuum cleaner, having first removed the brush and, so to speak, “suck out” the plug)))
How to deal with a serious blockage
The most well-known and well-proven way to deal with severe blockages is to use a plunger. First, place the plunger firmly against the drain hole, then make 10-15 vigorous up and down movements. Cleaning the shower siphon will be more effective if the edges of the plunger are pre-lubricated with Vaseline - this will ensure greater tightness. As a rule, even serious blockages can be removed using a plunger, but in the most advanced cases you will need to use a plumbing cable.
Trays with built-in siphon
Many samples of products called shower cabins have been developed, and there are no less options for their installation. However, this diversity comes down to the following options:
- A tray with a high pedestal, which has an inspection hatch that gives free access to the siphon. In a booth with this design, you don’t have to disassemble the tray to remove the siphon.
- The same option, but without a hatch. If it is necessary to replace the siphon, you will have to remove the decorative panel (aka apron, screen) or tile trim.
The available option involves fixing such a panel with latches, but a design with rigid fastening with self-tapping screws is also possible.
- And finally, the most inconvenient option for locating the siphon is to install it in a non-removable part of the pallet, which means you will have to remove the base (pedestal).
To facilitate this procedure, before purchasing, find out from the seller the details regarding replacing the siphon in a shower stall of this type. You will also need to understand the types of siphons to be replaced.
How to clean a shower drain in difficult cases
If a blockage has formed in the depths of the pipe, or you have not cleaned the siphon for a very long time, or the contamination is heavily compressed, then it is almost impossible to do without a plumbing cable. Keep in mind that a plumbing cable is suitable for cleaning metal pipes; if the pipes are made of plastic, then it is better to abandon this tool, as there is a possibility of damage. The essence of the method is to mechanically push debris into the pipe or remove it. The greatest efficiency when cleaning with a cable can be achieved if you involve an assistant. So, the sequence of actions is as follows:
- Inserting the cable into the drain hole. In this case, one person must make an effort to push the cable, the other must rotate it. Try to rotate the cable vigorously - this will help clear the blockage faster.
- Making 10-15 sharp movements back and forth.
- Flushing the drain with a stream of hot water.
- Removing the cable (possibly in parallel with removing debris).
Cleaning glass doors
Most hydroboxes are presented with glass walls, which, with frequent contact with water, lose their original appearance. Glass models can be safely washed using special products to remove dirt from the mirror or glass. They need to be sprayed over the surface of the product, wiped with a sponge and wiped dry. You can use a special scraper to clean the glass cabin. It has a thick elastic band on one side and a sponge on the other.
A homemade solution is excellent for cleaning glass. Dilute 5 drops of ammonia in a glass of water. This product is perfect for removing soap stains. Some housewives also add 100 ml of glycerin, which helps protect the surface of the cabin from moisture.
Correct use of household chemicals
Cleaning the shower siphon using household chemicals is not recommended, but sometimes this is the only way to get rid of the problem. In order not to harm the equipment, you need to carefully choose a cleaning agent, studying its composition, and find exactly the liquid or gel that is intended to remove blockages in pipes. It is strictly forbidden to use compositions for removing blockages in toilet bowls that have an aggressive composition to clean the siphon of the shower stall. Toilet fluids can not only corrode rubber gaskets, but also damage the acrylic pan.
The process of removing the blockage itself is simple - the product is poured into the drain for the time specified in the instructions, after which the drain is washed with a strong stream of hot water. It must be remembered that such household chemicals can form vapors, so it is better not to be in the bathroom during treatment or to organize good ventilation.
Replacing an old siphon: features
The specifics of replacing old sewer drainage fittings are no different from installing new ones. But there are some features for replacing the siphon, depending on the height of the pallet itself.
How to change the drain in a cabin with a high sump
Replacing a high pan drain is an easy task since it is located within easy reach. If it is a pipe system, unscrew one side, lifting it up to drain any remaining water.
If the fittings are made of solid stainless steel, unscrew them on both sides - from the drain into the sewer and the outlet from the pan. Replacement occurs in the same way as described above.
How to remove in a cabin with a low tray
It's worth being smart with the low position of the tray. If the siphon is in a box, then repairs are usually made. If the fittings lie on the floor, resting against it, it is important not to damage the attachment points of the pipes from the sewer and the pan. All work is carried out carefully, rags are used to absorb dirty water.
In the case of a tray with a water seal
A water seal is a practical solution to get rid of unpleasant sewer odors. At the same time, the water plug becomes an obstacle to the passage of air. The valve structure consists of 2 coaxial cylinders of different sizes, located one inside the other.
- The water is shut off.
- The elbow is removed from the sewer outlet.
- Using an adjustable wrench, remove the washer from the pan from the thread.
- The new siphon is unpacked.
- The drain valve is removed and its upper part is mounted on the outside of the shower tray, and the lower part is mounted to the bottom.
- The sleeve is unscrewed and treated with silicone.
- The siphon cover is attached to the drain outlet of the pan. The threads must match.
- An overflow is installed and the elbow is connected to the sewer.
Preventing drain contamination
Eliminating contaminants in shower siphons is not a difficult task, but the best solution is to reduce the possibility of their occurrence to a minimum. To do this, you can install a grate on the drain hole, which will trap debris, and clean it regularly. You should not pour water down the drain after washing the floors; it is advisable not to bathe pets directly in the bowl, and when washing by hand, make sure that threads, pieces of wool or fillers do not fall into the drain. These simple measures will allow you to keep the shower cabin clean for a long time and avoid clogging of the siphon.
We congratulate you on the successfully completed operation code-named “We clean it ourselves” and assign you the honorary qualification of a plumber of the highest category!
We would like to draw your attention to the following. This method is not a panacea for all ills associated with improper installation of sewerage and plumbing equipment, but it is definitely worth a try. The most important thing is not to overdo it with the pressure and temperature of the water, do everything carefully so as not to damage the siphon connections and the corrugated hose running from the siphon to the sewer hole.
Recommendations for selection
When choosing a special element of plumbing communications intended for drainage of wastewater into the sewer system, you must first of all pay attention to such a very important parameter as throughput indicators, indicating the amount of water that the drain can consistently discharge per unit of time. As a rule, the standard calculation of the required throughput is based on the following data:
- with a diameter of the upper shower head of 300 mm, the average water supply per hour varies between 30-90 l;
- using a cascade shower requires water consumption in the range of 1500-1800 liters per hour.
When choosing throughput, it is advisable to take into account a small margin of 5-10%, which will prevent emergency situations and flooding.
If you need to perform independent installation and have no experience in plumbing work, it is not advisable to purchase round models. It will be quite problematic to perform a perfectly smooth and beautiful installation of the floor covering when installing such a ladder with your own hands.
Corner round drain
