How To Remove Hair From Drains
Quick Summary: This guide addresses the common issue of clogged drains caused by hair, particularly in showers, bathtubs, and bathroom sinks. Hair, combined with soap residue and other debris, can form stubborn blockages. The post explains why hair clogs drains and outlines tools like drain snakes, wire hangers, and eco-friendly solutions like baking soda and vinegar for resolving these clogs. It also provides steps for preventing future clogs with hair catchers and drain covers. While most hair clogs can be handled with DIY methods, the post advises calling a professional plumber for persistent issues.
Few household problems are as annoying as clogged drains, especially when they’re caused by hair. Hair can easily accumulate in shower drains, bathtub drains, and bathroom sink drains, combining with soap residue and other debris to form stubborn blockages. While a professional plumber can help with severe clogs, you can often resolve hair clogs on your own using simple tools and techniques. In this guide, we’ll explore how to effectively remove hair from drains and prevent future clogs, saving you from more significant plumbing problems down the line.
Why Hair Clogs Drains
Hair is one of the most common culprits of clogged drains, particularly in bathroom drains. Whether it’s loose hair from washing your hair in the shower or small amounts of hair from shaving over the sink, these strands can easily get caught on sticky substances like soap scum. Over time, this creates a hair-clogged drain that restricts the flow of water.
In addition to hair, drain pipes can accumulate other materials such as oil from skin and products, dish soap, and other debris that bind with the hair, creating a more stubborn clog.
Tools You’ll Need to Remove Hair From Drains
Before diving into specific techniques, it’s essential to gather the right tools for the job. While many people immediately reach for chemical drain cleaners, there are more environmentally-friendly methods and tools that can be just as effective. Here’s a list of common household items and tools you’ll need to clear a hair-clogged drain:
- Rubber gloves for hygiene
- Drain snake or drain auger
- Wire hanger for DIY drain cleaning
- Baking soda and white vinegar
- Cup plunger
- Drain cover or hair catchers for prevention
Now, let’s explore various ways to remove hair from drains and prevent it from accumulating in the future.
Method 1: Use a Drain Snake or Wire Hanger
A drain snake is one of the most effective tools for clearing a hair clog in the shower drain, tub drains, or bathroom sink drain. This tool is designed to reach into the drain and grab the clog, allowing you to pull it out.
Steps to Use a Drain Snake:
- Insert the Snake: Carefully push the drain snake into the clogged drain until you feel resistance.
- Rotate and Pull: Rotate the handle to snag the hair clog, then gently pull the snake out of the drain.
- Repeat if Necessary: You may need to repeat the process a few times to remove all the hair.
If you don’t have a drain snake handy, you can make a DIY version using a wire hanger. Straighten out the hanger and create a small hook at one end to fish out hair from the drain.
Using a Wire Hanger:
- Unwind and Shape: Straighten the wire hanger and bend one end into a small hook.
- Insert and Hook: Push the hooked end into the drain, moving it around to catch the hair and debris.
- Pull Out the Clog: Gently pull out the hanger along with the trapped hair.
Method 2: Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
If you’re dealing with a partial clog or want to avoid using chemical drain cleaners, a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar can be an effective and eco-friendly solution.
Steps to Use Baking Soda and Vinegar:
- Remove the Drain Stopper: First, remove any drain stoppers or drain covers to gain access to the drain.
- Pour Baking Soda: Pour about half a cup of baking soda directly into the drain.
- Add Vinegar: Slowly pour a cup of vinegar into the drain. The mixture will fizz as it breaks down the clog.
- Wait and Flush with Hot Water: Let the mixture sit for about 10–15 minutes, then flush the drain with hot water to clear away any remaining debris.
This method is especially effective for bathtub drains or sink drains that experience frequent clogs from both hair and soap scum.
Method 3: Try Boiling Water
Sometimes, a hair-clogged drain can be resolved with a simple flush of boiling water. This method works best for small clogs or slow-draining pipes.
Steps to Use Boiling Water:
- Boil Water: Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Pour the Water: Slowly pour the boiling water directly down the drain, in stages, to break down the hair clog and melt any accumulated soap or grease.
- Repeat if Necessary: Repeat the process if the water drains slowly.
Be cautious when using boiling water, especially with plastic pipes, as extremely hot water can cause damage to some plumbing materials.
Method 4: Use a Cup Plunger
If the hair clog is causing slow drainage in the sink or tub, a cup plunger can help dislodge it. This technique is best suited for clogs near the surface of the drain.
Steps to Use a Cup Plunger:
- Seal the Drain: Place the cup plunger over the clogged drain, ensuring a tight seal.
- Plunge the Drain: Push and pull the plunger vigorously to create pressure that can dislodge the clog.
- Flush with Water: Once the clog loosens, flush the drain with hot water to remove any remaining debris.
Method 5: Prevention with Hair Catchers and Drain Covers
The best way to avoid future clogs is to prevent hair from going down the drain in the first place. Hair catchers and drain covers are affordable solutions that trap loose hair before it can enter your drain pipe.
Benefits of Hair Catchers:
- Easy to install in most shower drains, bathtub drains, and sinks
- Prevent hair and debris from entering the plumbing system
- Reduce the need for frequent drain cleaning or calling a professional plumber
Regularly cleaning the hair catchers and drain covers will keep your bathroom drains free-flowing and reduce the likelihood of future clogs.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
If you’ve tried all these methods and still can’t clear the hair-clogged drain, it might be time to schedule a drain cleaning appointment with a professional plumber. Stubborn clogs deep in the pipes may require specialized equipment, such as a drain auger or other professional drain cleaning tools. It’s also a good idea to consult a plumber if you suspect the use of drain chemicals has damaged your pipes, or if you frequently experience clogged drains despite your best efforts.
Avoiding Chemical Drain Cleaners
While it can be tempting to reach for liquid drain cleaners or other chemical drain cleaners in hopes of quickly dissolving the clog, these products often contain harsh chemicals that can damage your plumbing over time. They may also harm the environment. Whenever possible, opt for mechanical methods, such as using a drain snake, or natural solutions like baking soda and vinegar to avoid relying on drain chemicals.
Dealing with hair in drains is an unavoidable part of home maintenance, but with the right tools and techniques, you can easily manage it. From using a drain snake to simple DIY tricks like boiling water or a cup of vinegar, removing hair from your drains doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Keep your tub drains, shower drains, and sinks running smoothly with regular cleaning, preventative tools like hair catchers, and by avoiding harsh chemicals. If all else fails, Same Day can help tackle those deep, stubborn clogs.
