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

[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]

[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,

I haven't had a look outside yet, maybe I'll get lucky , 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.