Water Sitting in Your Shower Drain? How to Fix It

Finding water pooled in your shower drain can be a nuisance. The standing water leaves an unpleasant odor and indicates a clogged drain that needs attention. Thankfully, with some DIY maintenance, you can get rid of the lingering water and prevent future buildups.

We'll also provide tips to clear out existing clogs and prevent water from collecting in the future. With some simple tools and techniques, you can keep your shower drain free of standing water.

What Causes Water to Get Trapped in Shower Drains

There are several common culprits when it comes to water getting stuck in shower drains:

• Buildup of hair, soap scum, and skin cells - This gunky residue sticks to drain walls and accumulates over time, narrowing drain openings. Excessive amounts of hair and skin cells shed daily can quickly amass in drains.
• Dirt, leaves, and debris - Particles from outdoors can wash down and clog drains. Leaves and sediment entering through bathroom windows or under doorways contribute to debris buildup.
• Improper slope - Drains should slope 1/4 inch per foot to allow water drainage. Flat or sloped-backward drains hold water. Improper installation is the main reason for insufficient drain slope.
• Cracked or damaged drain pipes - Cracks allow water to seep into pipe joints and accumulate. Cracks occur over time from corrosion and minerals in water eating away at metal pipes.
• Mineral deposits from hard water - Calcium and magnesium minerals solidify and coat drain walls. Hard water contains high mineral content that sticks to pipes and drains as scale buildup.

Signs of a clogged drain include water pooling for longer than one minute after showering or water that doesn't fully drain out between uses. A foul, sewage-like odor might also indicate an obstruction. The stench comes from waste getting trapped and rotting in the backed up drain.

Preventing Water from Collecting in Your Shower Drain

Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to shower drain clogs. Here are some tips to stop standing water before it starts:

• Install a drain cover or hair catcher - This filter catches hair and debris before going down the drain. Hair catchers come in basic and silicone cup styles that sit in drain openings.
• Clean the drain frequently - Use a screwdriver to remove the drain cover and pull out hair monthly. Alternatively, use a wire drain brush or zip-it tool to extracting hair buildup.
• Limit hair products and oils - These leave sticky residues that cling to drains. Conditioners and styling products contain waxes and oils that coat drain interiors.
• Use vinegar weekly - Pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar down the drain to break up gunk. The chemical reaction helps dissolve soap scum and residue.
• Check slope when installing new showers - Use a level to ensure proper 1/4 inch per foot pitch. Adequate slope prevents water from pooling after draining.

Being proactive goes a long way to keeping shower drains clear and prevent standing water issues. Monthly cleaning and hair filters can catch problems before major clogging occurs. Neglecting drains leads to inevitable clogging from accumulation.

How to Clean Shower Drains of Hard Water Buildup

For mineral deposit buildup:

• Mix 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup boiling water. Pour down drain and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Use a bent wire coat hanger to loosen deposits inside drains.
• Flush with hot water after treatments to rinse mineral residue.
• Monthly cleaning prevents scale from accumulating and clogging.

Removing Existing Clogs Causing Standing Water

If you already have standing water in your shower drain, don't worry. Here are some DIY methods to clear it out:

• Plunge it - Use a heavy-duty sink plunger over the drain to pressurize and dislodge clogs. Create a tight seal with the plunger.
• Snake it - Insert a 3-foot flexible drain snake into the drain to hook and pull up debris. Spin the snake in circles to ensnare hair.
• Boil it - Boil a pot of water and carefully pour it down the drain to melt grease clogs. Hot water also helps dissolve soap buildup.
• Chemically treat it - Use a foaming chemical drain cleaner and let sit to dissolve gunk. Look for cleaners with strong lye or acid content.

For best results, start by boiling water or using a plunger to break up the clog. Then use a drain snake to fish out loosened debris. Finish up with a chemical treatment weekly to prevent new buildup. Combining methods ensures a thorough drain cleaning.

Safety Tips When Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

When using caustic drain cleaning chemicals, take these precautions:

• Wear gloves and eye protection to avoid direct contact with skin or eyes.
• Don't mix products - it could cause dangerous chemical reactions and toxic fumes.
• Use in a well-ventilated area so fumes don't concentrate in enclosed spaces.
• Rinse treated drains thoroughly with water afterwards to wash away residues.
• Keep products locked away from children to prevent accidental poisoning.

Unclogging Drains Without Chemicals

For a non-toxic approach, try these methods:

• Pour very hot (not boiling) water down the drain to liquefy gunk.
• Use a plunger or drain snake to manually remove clogs.
• Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1 cup vinegar and let foam for 5 minutes before rinsing.
• Use a wire coat hanger to dislodge and pull up hair clogs.

Avoid toxic chemicals by using heat, pressure, friction, or chemical reactions from natural ingredients to dissolve clogs.

Clearing Stubborn Shower Drain Clogs

For tougher clogs that persist, you may need to take apart the drain hardware. Here are some steps if basic treatments don't work:

1. Remove the drain cover and use needle-nose pliers to extract built-up hair and gunk caught in the strainer.
2. Use a zip-it drain cleaning tool to grab and remove clogs deeper down the pipe.
3. Take out the drain trap or P-trap beneath the shower - clean it fully before re-installing.
4. Use a closet auger to snake out deep clogs from drain openings. Feed the auger until you feel the clog.
5. Replace corroded or cracked sections of drain pipe possibly causing leaks.

Disassembling snaked drains is an advanced task. Seek professional help if you're unsure to avoid damage. Replacing damaged drain pipes is often needed to fully eliminate standing water if they are beyond cleaning.

To stop shower drains from clogging continually:

• Clean the drain weekly or monthly with a wire drain brush to scrub the inside walls.
• Consider installing a permanent hair catcher to filter out hair and debris.
• Limit hair and soap products going down the drain by wiping residue off the body first.
• Use a foaming bleach spray cleaner weekly in drains to dissolve scum and disinfect.
• Check drain slope using a level - adjust to proper 1/4 inch slope if needed.
• Replace corroded galvanized or damaged drain pipes since they are prone to clogging.