Plumbers advice please

[Chops]

Guys, just wondering the best way to unblock a shower drain.
Sinks aren't a problem, pull the elbow out, clean and replace. But the house is on a concrete slab, so what's the best way to tackle the problem at hand?
I've never had to deal with this before, is it a case of pouring in some "Draino" or something similar down the hole and letting it do its thing, or what?
All help muchly appreciated thanks guys.

[superquag]

You could try lots of very hot water, garden hose squirting down it... or a pressure washer.
Or Draino - follow all instructions and precautions, - or else!

Or take the easy way out and get yourself a flexible drain rod, looks like a tightly coiled spring, about the thickness of your little finger. Roughly $25 or so. In case there's no instructions... poke down and wiggle around and up & down. Don't let go or it...

Have you shone a bright light down the hole and had a look ????
(- Noticed any new bald patches? - Hair is the Usual Suspect...)

James in Gosnells,
In consultation with a Person Who Knows Everything. (Son, apprentice plumber)

[slug_burner]

Yes, hair is a prime reason for drain blockage. Long hair is more likely to get caught up with the soap etc. even the wire from a coat hanger can be used to poke down/into the drain aand pull the plug of hair out. Pulling the offending plug is faster than draino and less smelly a process.

Households with a few long haired individuals tend to suffer from more frequent blockages.

[Grumbles]

I have this problem sometimes too. I use Mr. Muscle drain unblocker liquid and it works a treat.

[Ancient Mariner]

Get yourself a rubber plunger:cool:

[richard4u2]

you will most probably find the problem is out side , the drain from the shower runs into a unit which drops down into the main sewer line it should have a small grid on top remove that grid and shove a hose in around there at full blast that should fix it . most people don't glue that grid down and kids lift them and shove rocks and small cars down there also leaves get in there and block it up , there is no need for chemicals

[BMKal]

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9851/o22t.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/15/o22t.jpg/)

:wasntme:

[pom1331]

Hi. I'm a plumber. Go and get a hydraulic. Plunger. About 3 " diam and 12" long. Prob bunnings.problem won't be outside or all property would be blocked. This type of plunger pulls and pushes with great force and it can be used I any drain. Be careful though because they can blow the water out of nearby traps at the same time and leads to a right bollocking from the domestic staff. ��

[Chops]

Thanks guys, although I'm a little unsure about trying TNT, :eek:

I haven't had a look outside yet, maybe I'll get lucky :D , if not, I'll tr the hose, then plunger, draino,, and if all else fails, a plumber :(

Both my girls have very long hair, and interestingly enough, there never seems to be any hair in the shower grill thingy. ;) so we now know what that probably indicates

[Judo]

I've had blocked drains (almost certainly from hair) and chemical draino stuff didn't seem to do anything. I used a standard rubber plunger and that soon cleared it up. Get it full of water and plunge away. It seems logical when I think about it - the force of solid water without any air gap should move things pretty well.

Also, I would listen to the plumber. ;)

[numpty]

Agreed, listen to the plumber, but ........... it is probably long hair and I have had this problem in the past which has been easily sorted with a length of wire.

And it's amazing how much hair gets caught in the trap :o