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8 Easy Steps to Clear a Clogged Shower Drain

Before considering hiring an expert professional plumber for your clogged shower drain, it is always advisable to try fixing them yourselves. Numerous shower drain problems, clogging, and other plumbing difficulties can be resolved by using simple, easy steps.

Once the problem’s solved there are few likely chances for it occur again. Below the article summarises eight easy steps to clear a clogged shower drain.

8 Easy Steps to Clear a Clogging Shower Drain

There are several steps in which one can personally unclog a shower drain. The problem might have been caused by hair getting hair inside the drain or smaller objects, etc.

Some easy ways to get rid of the coagulation in your shower drain are:

8. Pour Hot Water down the Shower Drain

The first step to remove the residue forming in the pipe is to pour hot boiling water down the drain and clear the blockade.

Steps to Unclog Shower Drain with Hot Water

  • Boil water on a stove or an electric heater,
  • Pour the water down the shower drain, and
  • Try using a funnel while pouring the water.

Hot water may not remove all the grease and hair in case of a severe blockage but may open up a few gaps and may completely be removed in addition to the other steps.

7. Use Vinegar or Baking Soda from the Kitchen

This homemade solution is the best alternative to using chemicals in the household.

Use Baking Soda from Kitchen
Use Baking Soda from Kitchen

How to use Vinegar and Baking Soda?

  • Pour a cup of vinegar through the shower drain,
  • Wait for a few minutes,
  • Pour a cup of baking soda in the drain,
  • Wait to see if the clogged hair in the pipes gets dissolved, and
  • Clear out the drainage system by pouring hot water through it.

Although this natural homemade remedy is advisable and won’t do damage to the plumbing, you may still have to use chemicals.

6. Remove the Drain Cover and Pull Out Clog Manually

This method can help clear the residue formation and clog, but you might have to use your hand, so wear rubber gloves.

Unclogging the Bathroom drain with Hands

  • First, remove the drain cover,
  • Some drain covers have screw amidst them which might need to be loosened up,
  • Check the drain for the clog formation,
  • If the residue is within reach, use your hand or else use a hook to pull out the clog.

It’s effective in fixing minor clogs caused by the hair but can’t help remove the obstruction caused by a mineral build-up. In that case, use chemicals.

5. Use a Hook

Its oldest method in the book to clear a clogged shower drain with a high success rate.

Using a Hook to Clear a Drain

  • In case you can’t reach the blockage with your hand, then try pulling it out using a wire or a hook, and
  •  Improvise a coat hanger or any other available tool, making it look like a hook.

This step doesn’t’ work in case of mineral coagulation in the drainage system.

4. Use a Toilet Jack or an Electric Eel (Plumber’s Snake)

Another cheap and DIY step in fixing blockage in the shower drains using a plumber’s snake. This tool is slender, and flexible auger generally used to dislodge clogs in the pipes.

How to use a Toilet Jack?

  • Shove the plumber’s snake down the drain until you hit the clog,
  • Turn the handle and pull it back, and
  • Run boiling water or regular water to check the drain.

However, if the obstruction is caused by tree roots than using just an electric eel isn’t enough to remove the clog.

3. Use of Toilet Chemicals

Usually, most supermarkets and hardware stores sell very strong chemicals which are effective in opening up a clog.

Chemicals to clear Shower Drain Clogs
Chemicals to clear Shower Drain Clogs

Unclogging Drain with toxic Chemicals:

  • Read the instructions in the package of the chemical and make sure to use just enough,
  • Always wear glasses and gloves while using chemicals,
  • Don’t mix the chemicals, as it may emit poisonous gases, and
  • Pour the chemicals down the shower drain.

Always consider before using chemicals as it may also cause serious to your plumbings system in the bathroom. However, their use may lead to easy and quick removal of the residue.

2. Try Using a Plunger

A plunger can be used to remove the clog, but it only works in case of minor blockage. Plunging might not be effective in case of deep clogs made with hair.

How to Unclog a Drain using a Toilet Plunger?

  • First, apply petroleum jelly to the edge of the suction of the plunger to get a better seal,
  • Pour water into the shower drain, so the plunger is underwater, and
  • Plunge with all the force.

Despite the effort, this step is quite unlikely to work in case of a shower drain, but the cost is minimal and time-efficient.

1. Call a Plumber

The last and the final step is always to call a professional for fixing your toiletry problems.

For information on plumbing and drainage problems do visit icareplumbing.com.au.

 

8 Common Causes of a Clogged Drain

Blocked pipes and clogged drains start as minor issues in household and escalate into major problems. A clogged drain causes corrosion, slow water flow from drains, and flooding. In the worst cases, it can lead to costly repairs and sewage backup.

There are steps to prevent this from happening but understanding the main cause behind the clogging is the first major issue. Below the article enlists eight common clogged drain problems faced by people in their kitchens and bathrooms.

8 Major Reason that’s Causing Your Drain to Clog

Before calling up for a plumber to fix your drain clogs be careful to look for a few things in your drain. The stuff that tries to escape through your pipes might be the major reason that could have to cause the clogging.

They are explained below:

8. Hair

The major reason that can cause a drainpipe to clog is hair. Hair binds with the grease and other sticky substances in the kitchen and bathrooms to form a clog.

Hair clog
Hair clog in a bathroom sink

The only way to stop the hairs from your body coagulating in the drain is to prevent them from occurring. For these cover all the drains with guards and clear them out regularly.

7. Soap

The traditional soap bars are ladened with grease or fat, a significant reason for clog. The fat ingredient from the soap mixes with the minerals present in water and leaves behind a hard residue commonly known as soap scum.

The sum stains the clog pipes and bath fitting, causing the drains to block. It can be resolved by switching to soap-free dish washes and pressure cleaning the pipes to removes soap buildup.

6. Dirt

Although the main purpose of a drain is to let go off the wastes in the sink or bathroom, that’s not always the case. While you are trying to get the dirt off your clothes, it can buildup and cause troubles in your pipes.

It is always advisable to mud off and shake or rinse off the dirt outside the sink, before washing the clothes inside.

5. Food Wastes

A common problem that occurs in every household is the clogging of the kitchen sinks, and the culprit behind it is the food waste.

Food wastes
Food wastes in a kitchen sink

Its should never flow down the drain even if a garbage disposal is present in the sink. Tea leaves and coffee grounds don’t break down and get stuck.

Other food wastes to look out for in the sink include oil and grease. Use a paper towel to absorb the oil off the foods and throw it in a compost pile.

4. Mineral Clog Up

Minerals from different household material dissolve with hard water from the tap and cause an insoluble mass that blocks the pipes.

For this, you can always use a water softener at home, and if that isn’t available, you’ll need to remove sediments from building up and descale regularly.

Mineral clogs are hard to get rid off once they start accumulating and might require professional attention.

3. Small Objects

Other major culprits for drain clogs and plumbing issues are small objects which find their way through the drain. Anything besides water, human waste, toilet paper going down the toilet pipes can cause a significant upset in the drainage system of the house.

Objects other than those mentioned above should be disposed of in trash cans, composts, or recycled. If any foreign matter gets into the plumbing system, it is best to seek for a plumber.

2. Toilet Paper Coagulation

Excessive use of toilet paper causes clogs and stops the toilets from flushing. If water is draining through your toilet pipes when flushed, then you can always use toilet plunger to get rid of the accumulated toilet paper waste.

Toilet plunger
Unclogging a toilet

But if the toilet keeps filling up instead of draining then call a plumber.

1. Roots of Trees

Leaks or cracks in pipes laid underground attract tree root growth which once the pipe can cause a significant upset in the whole drainage system of the apartment.

The roots tend to grow faster-causing obstruction in water flow and ultimately pipe damage.

Clearing roots from pipes requires pressure jet cleaning, excavation, trenchless repair, and several other complex processes.

The first step is to know the root structure of the plants and roots around the house, locate the area of damage and monitor the condition of the drains to save the risk of an expensive repair.

With the rising clogged drains problems in bathrooms and kitchens regularly, the only way to fix them is to avoid ways to have the pipes clogged.

Never let any objects drain down your sink that shouldn’t and avoid using harmful chemicals and objects. Further if in case of emergency, please visit icareplumbing.com.au.

How much does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Australia 2019?

Are you wondering about the bathroom renovation cost? If so then the time is over we will provide you the details of the bathroom renovation purposes and the costs required for the bathroom renovation in this section. So before going through this blog, you will get one question in your mind. What is Bathroom Renovation?

Bathroom renovation is the process of installing new bathtubs, showers, tiles, sinks, vanities, toilets, flooring, and other bathroom related items. The bathroom technicians have given the name bathroom upgrade for the bathroom renovation because it requires the new bathroom installation.

Fast Flo Plumbing provides affordable bathroom renovation services to the clients because we have been looking after the bathroom-related problems for a long time. There are different costs for bathroom renovation depending upon the level of materials used and the standard of bathroom installations in your home or in office.

What Determines The Cost of a Bathroom Renovation?

cost of bathroom renovation

The different variables that affect the cost of a bathroom renovation are as follows:

The Size of your Bathroom

The bathrooms can be small-sized, medium-sized and large-sized and the costs will be according to its size because the cost required for making a small-sized bathroom is not enough for renovating the large sized bathroom.

The Materials you Choose

The different materials required for renovating your bathroom are tools and supplies, building materials, furnishing and fixtures, bonus appliances and gadgets and safety gear including eye protection and thick gloves. The quality of these materials varies and the cost will be accordingly.

The Fittings you Select

Whether you need a traditional style bathroom or a modern bathroom in your home? A black or white bathroom with stylish appearances will also determine the cost required for renovating your bathroom in the home or in office.

Labor Costs

The level of labor working in the bathroom renovation largely determines the overall cost because the cost taken by the labors who are working will be different and the more experienced and trained labors obviously take high amounts for their work. It is one of the important variables which affect the bathroom renovation cost.

The budget renovation costs, standard renovation costs and premium renovation costs are $5,000 and $15,000, $15,000 and $25,000, $25,000 respectively in Miranda, Australia. Similarly, the age group is largely determining the cost for bathroom renovation because the above 54 age group will spend about $11,900, between 35 and 54 years of age will spend about $12,700 and below 35 years will spend about $9,100 according to the 2017 Houzz Australia Bathroom Trends study.

Planning Your Bathroom Renovation Budget

planning

The Costs That Need to be Planned Include:

  • Plumbing costs, if you are installing new elements inside the bathroom.
  • Tiling, which includes the floor and wall tiling?
  • Frameless shower screen or standard shower screen.
  • Bath, which could be integrated.
  • Toilet, which could be a standard version.
  • Vanity, which seems cleaner and gives more floor space.
  • Lighting inside the bathroom.
  • Waterproofing to make sure that the bathroom doesn’t leak.

Some of the Major Costs To Plan for In a Bathroom Renovation

plan for in a bathroom renovation

Bathroom Plumbing Costs

The plumbers will charge you with the amount of about $60 to $100. This charge depends upon where you live and also differ according to the skill of the plumber.

Bathroom Tiling Costs

The bathroom tiling cost will be around $60 per square meter. The wall tiling will cost about $20 to $28 per square meter for standard white ceramic wall tiles to $68 per square meter for steel grey polished porcelain wall tiles. Similarly, for floor tiling, the cost will be $35 to $50 per square meter for porcelain tiles and about $80 to $130 per square meter for high-quality natural stone tiles.

Shower Screen Costs

It will cost about $400 for installing a basic frame shower screen and for installing the frameless shower screens; it will cost around $600. The shower screens are framed, semi-framed and frameless and the cost depends upon the size.

Toilet Costs

The toilet cost depends upon the type of toilet installed in your home or office. The good quality toilet costs around $275 to $450.

Vanity Cost

There are different types of vanities installed in your home or in the office. The cost will be around $467 for a wall hung vanity with hidden handles.

Waterproofing Costs

Waterproofing is important in your bathroom. The waterproofing costs will be around $500 to $750 depending upon the size of the bathroom.

Alternatives To a Complete Bathroom Renovation

complete bathroom renovation

You may not have a large sum of money for the complete bathroom renovation but you have the alternatives for this. Some of the alternatives for complete bathroom renovation are as follows:

  1. Installing a new shower screen in your bathroom: It will cost around $300 for the chrome framed shower screen and $410 for a two-panel frameless shower screen without the installations charge.
  2. Replacing the old vanity for a new one: Installing a new bathroom vanity costs about $1500 on average.
    Coating your wall tiles, bath, and basin: it will cost around $400 to $600 to resurface a bath and about $250 to $400 for a basin.
  3. Paint the bathroom tiles: it will cost around $474 to $1,239 to paint the 120 square feet of the tiled area including the cost of materials.

How To Renovate Your Bathroom On The Cheap

Renovate Your Bathroom On The Cheap

If you are running out of money but require an immediate bathroom renovation then you can simply change the appearance of the bathroom with the addition of a new shower screen, tapware and a lick of paint. The process of tile resurfacing, tile painting or putting overlays directly over the existing tiles can be done as a method of renovating the bathroom.

Don’t give unnecessary work to trades in order to reduce the cost of bathroom renovation if you are in a shortage of money. You can yourself clean the tile surfaces, paint the wall and change the shower screen. If you can’t afford to re-tile your bathroom then you can do other options like tile resurfacing and tile painting.

How Long Will My Bathroom Renovation Take?

Bathroom Renovation Take

The various phases and steps required for completing the bathroom renovation are as follows:

1. Pre-construction phase

In the pre-construction phase, there are many steps that need to be taken into consideration.

Step 1: Close on your Property (1 to 3 months)

You should have close on the property so that it will be beneficial for you to have signed the property before beginning the design process. It takes time for bathroom renovation to occur as many procedures have to be followed.

Step 2: Post your Project (1 to 3 days)

You can have taken the reviews from the clients and photos from the past projects to know whether the contractors are trustworthy or not.

Step 3: Schedule Site Visits and Solicit Bids (1 to 3 weeks)

After knowing about the reviews, we can fix the contractor visit to our site for making proper plans and to secure the accurate bid.

Step 4: Level Bids and Choose a Contractor (1 to 2 weeks)

You can compare and contrast which clients can help you to level the bids and can choose the contractor for renovating your bathroom.

Step 5: Sign the Contract and Make a Proper Construction Schedule (1 week)

After finalizing the contractor, he/she will provide you the contract for review which includes the work descriptions and the details of the payment throughout the project.

Step 6: Obtain Permits and Approvals (ranges widely)

You need the requisite city permits for any plumbing related activities in your home and can obtain the approvals within 2 weeks.

Step 7: Sources Materials (ranges widely)

If you are responsible for sourcing all the materials then be sure to place the orders after the completion of the design plan.

Step 8: Tell your Neighbors (15 minutes)

Try to be a good neighbor and tell them that the bathroom renovation is taking place at your site.

2. Construction Phase

Most of the steps in the construction phase are the contractors’ responsibility and it is important to know about different activities happening in this phase.

Step 9: It’s Demo Time (1 day)

The construction activities should be carried out with extensive renovation.

Step 10: Reroute Plumbing and Electrical (1 to 2 days)

It is necessary to get the new plumbing or electrical during the construction phase of bathroom renovation.

Step 11: City Inspections and Sign-offs (1 hour)

You should check out for the plumbing permits from the city because you cannot close up the walls and move onto the next phase of the project leaving this inspection to happen.

Step 12: Installation-Floor Tiles (1/2 – 1 day)

To prevent the flooring reinstallation, you have to have a proper installation of the tiles at a time.

Step 13: Installation Completion (1 to 3 days)

Installation of toilet, vanity, tub, and sink always comes last while renovating the bathroom.

Step 14: Clean-up (1 day)

It is necessary for the complete cleaning of the house after the toilet renovation.

3. Post-Construction Phase

Step 15: Final Walk Through with Contractor (30 minutes)

It is necessary to review the work with the contractor so that the contractor will either fix the problem or suggest for the new renovation.

Step 16: Punch List Items (1 to 5 days)

It is required to make a punch list of items during renovating the bathroom in your home or in office.

Step 17: The Final Payment (10 minutes)

After addressing the last item of the punch list, it is necessary to make the final payment to the contractor.

What Tradies Do You Need For Your Bathroom Renovation?

need for your bathroom renovation

The tradespeople required for the complete bathroom renovation are tiler, plumber, electricians, carpenter, and handyman to clear the odd jobs.

  • Plumbers are required for the bath, shower and toilet renovations in your home.
  • The electrician will be required for the installation of new lighting, under floor heating, exhaust fans, and hot water heaters.
  • A tiler will be needed for waterproofing and floor tiling.
  • You need a carpenter for bathroom cabinetry.
  • A bathroom designer is required for the upmarket designs.
  • You can have a painter for repainting walls, doors, and ceilings.

How Much Do Bathroom Renovation Trades Cost?

bathroom renovation service

The bathroom renovation cost can be divided into 3 categories.

They are:

Budget Bathroom Renovation: $5,000 to $15,000

It is for the cosmetic renovation of the smaller bathroom and costs around $5000 removing the few items. Similarly, spending the $15,000 also includes compromises and you need to fix the large format porcelain tiles which are durable and are found in different colors.

Standard Bathroom Renovation: $15,000 to $30,000

With the aid of $15,000 to $30,000 of budget, you will get the good quality materials and fittings. You can have the best quality tiles in the floor and wall of your bathroom. Similarly, you can upgrade the frameless shower screen or semi-frameless shower screen along with the bathtub, and bathroom vanity.

Premium Bathroom Renovation: $30,000

The budget of $30,000 is enough for making the major changes in the bathroom layout and services. You can install a frameless shower screen, wall hung vanity and the best freestanding bathtub. Similarly, if you want porcelain tiles of $60 per square meter range on the floor and walls of the bathroom then you can afford using this budget.

Bathroom Renovation: Step By Step Guide

It is very necessary to know about the various steps required for the bathroom renovation what should come first and what should follow after that matter a lot because without a proper plan and brainstorming we cannot make proper design and cannot carry out the construction activities. Some of the steps are:

Design your Bathroom

There are many 3D modeling tools that can help you with proper bathroom design. You should include all the items like a bathtub, vanity, and toilet and shower whichever are required for your bathroom. Many of the bathroom builders will provide you a proper sketch of the design for your convenience.

Strip out your Old Bathroom

After the arrival of tradies in your home, the first thing they do is to remove the old toilet, vanity, shower, and tiles. The removing process makes the environment quite noisy and messy.

Plan your Plumbing

The plumbers and electricians should know the exact location for fitting the items in their position. Therefore, proper planning is necessary while making the plumbing changes in your bathroom.

Render the Wall

After fixing the pipes and electrical lines inside the wall, you need to render the wall which gives a clear finish to the wall. It is also ready for new tiling and painting after removing the old tiles from the walls.

Prepare for Tiling

Cement bedding is prepared in order to prepare for tiling in your bathroom. Waterproofing is also done to have the proper surface for tiling and is done by the professional plumbers.

Tiling

After the cement bedding on the wall and floor, the next step is tiling on the surfaces. If you are planning of using the mosaics tiles then it will cost a little more as they are thrash.

Fit out

After the tiling in your bathroom, all items like toilet, bathtub, vanity, basin, shower screens & tap ware will be installed by the plumbers. Similarly, the electricians will install the lighting, exhaust fans, and other electrical appliances.

Why Hiring a Bathroom Renovator for Your Home?

bathroom renovator for your home

A licensed bathroom is required for plumbing and tiling the surfaces in your bathroom because only the qualified and experienced plumbers will renovate your bathroom properly. While hiring the renovator you should ask them the queries like are you a licensed? Are you comfortable to work in my home? How long will you take? Can you provide me your previous projects?

How Do The Bathroom Style And Fitting Influence The Cost Of Bathroom Renovation In Australia?

bathroom style and fitting influence

Some of the bathroom style and fittings are tiles, bathtub, toilet, vanity, and sink. These items are found in different quality and the cost also varies from one product to another because the consumers who prefer the products have different levels of buying behavior.

1) The cost of the budget tiles is around $30 to $55 per square meter while the premium tiles cost around $162 per square meter.

2) The cheap bathtub cost around $300 to $500, a premium bathtub cost around $3000 to $8000 and the mid-level bathtub cost around $1000 to $3000 without the installation cost.

3) Similarly, the basic toilet costs around $120, a standard toilet cost around $400, a vanity toilet cost around $120 to $200(budget vanity), $700 to $850(standard vanity) and $1500 and more for premium vanity which is available in the market.

How Much To Spend On Bathroom Renovations When Selling?

spend on bathroom renovations

If you are planning to earn the profit from bathroom renovation then do research and know what your buyer is looking for. For this, you can get the idea from the real estate agent because they can provide you commission information, marketing strategies, sales history, and reviews.

Generally, if you spend around $5,000 to $10,000 for renovating the bathroom then you can increase the sales by tens of thousands of dollars no doubt. You can spend less in order to make improvements in your bathroom but can increase its value by double.

Conclusion

The bathroom renovation cost offered by Fast Flo Plumbing is affordable because we believe in quality services in your area. The costs depend upon what type of renovation scheme you are choosing like budget, standard or luxurious. So, always think before you leap.