Your shower is supposed to wash away the stress of the day, not leave you ankle-deep in murky water, waiting for the drain to do its job. But here you are, watching the slow, painful swirl of another clogged drain that just won’t clear. You’ve fished out enough hair to build a small wig, dumped half the pantry down there in a last-ditch DIY attempt, and yet — nothing.

Lee Company, serving Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia since 1944, has seen every kind of drain disaster, from simple blockages to full-blown plumbing nightmares. Let’s break down what’s really causing the problem, how to fix it, and when to bring in the pros.

What Causes a Shower Drain to Clog?

A clogged shower drain is rarely caused by just one thing. It’s usually a nasty cocktail of hair, soap scum, hard water deposits, and other unexpected culprits that combine to form a blockage.

Over time, these materials restrict water flow and lead to frequent backups. And it’s not just you — 15% of homeowners deal with backed-up drains.

Below are the most common reasons a shower drain keeps clogging.

1. Hair Buildup

If you’ve got hair, your shower drain is at risk. Period. Hair is the number one cause of shower drain clogs, and it doesn’t just disappear when it slides down the drain. It tangles, knots, and binds with soap scum, creating a sticky web that slows water flow until your drain is practically sealed shut. Longer hair makes it worse, but even short hair can build up over time.

2. Soap Scum and Residue

Traditional bar soaps contain fats and oils that react with minerals in hard water, leaving behind a sticky film known as soap scum. Over time, it layers up inside your pipes, trapping hair and debris and creating a clog that only gets worse.

Liquid body wash can help. But if your shower drain keeps clogging, soap scum might be collecting other debris, reducing drainage efficiency and leading to clogs.

3. Hard Water Deposits

Hard water is like cholesterol for your plumbing. It leaves behind mineral deposits (think of them as tiny rock formations) inside your pipes, gradually narrowing the passage for water to flow.

The result is sluggish drains and recurring clogs that will not budge, no matter how much you clean the surface.

Nearly 6% of homeowners struggle with low water pressure, and mineral buildup is often to blame. In the Southeast, where hard water is common, these deposits can become a serious problem.

4. Mold and Slime Buildup

Have you ever noticed a musty smell coming from your drain? That could be bacteria, growth, mold, or mildew feeding on the organic material stuck in your pipes. Over time, this microbial sludge thickens, clinging to the walls of your drain like a greasy, living nightmare. The more buildup, the slower your drain and the worse the smell.

5. Foreign Objects and Accidental Debris

If it’s small enough to fit down the drain, it’s small enough to cause problems. Shampoo bottle caps, razor covers, exfoliating beads, kids’ bath toys—you name it, we’ve pulled it out of clogged drains. Even if an object makes it past the drain opening, it can get lodged deeper, creating a long-term blockage.

6. Poor Drain Design or Installation Issues

Older homes often have outdated plumbing with narrow pipes or poor slope design, making drainage slow even before buildup occurs. Outdated materials or faulty installation could be the root cause. A professional inspection may be necessary to assess and upgrade your drainage system.

7. Tree Root Intrusion or Sewer Line Problems

In rare cases, the problem isn’t in your shower at all. It’s underground. Tree roots can invade pipes, causing major blockages and slow drainage throughout your home. If your shower, toilet, and sink are all backing up, your main sewer line might be the real issue. That’s a job for the professionals.

If your shower drain keeps clogging, it’s likely one (or a combination) of the causes above. The good news is that some clogs can be handled with simple fixes. The bad news is that some require professional intervention.

How to Fix a Shower Drain Clog (DIY Solutions)

You can clear most clogs with a few simple tools and a little patience. In fact, a Google Consumer Survey confirmed what we already knew: nearly half of all homeowners turn to DIY solutions when tackling plumbing issues like this. So, before reaching for the phone, try these proven at-home fixes to see if you can get your shower drain flowing again.

1. Remove Hair and Debris Manually

The easiest way to clear a clog is often the most obvious — physically removing the gunk.

How to do it:

• Wear gloves because it’s going to be gross.
• Use a drain snake, zip tool, or bent wire hanger to pull out clumps of hair.
• Rinse the drain with hot water after removing the blockage.

If the clog is deeper, you may need to try another method below.

2. Pour Boiling Water Down the Drain

Boiling water can help break down soap scum and grease buildup inside the drain.

How to do it:

• Boil a pot of water and carefully pour it down the drain in two or three stages.
• Wait a few minutes between pours to let it work.

Warning: Avoid using boiling water if you have PVC pipes, as extreme heat can damage them.

3. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar (Natural Solution)

For a chemical-free drain cleaner, baking soda and vinegar create a fizzing reaction that can loosen minor grime and debris.

How to do it:

• Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain.
• Follow with 1 cup of white vinegar.
• Cover the drain and let it sit for 15 minutes.
• Flush with hot water.

This method works well for light clogs but won’t dissolve solid blockages.

4. Try a Plunger

Not all plungers are the same. Cup plungers (flat bottom, usually red) work best for sinks and showers, while flange plungers (with an extra rubber flap, usually black) are designed for toilets. For shower clogs, a cup plunger is your best bet.

How to do it:

• Remove the drain cover.
• Fill the shower with enough water to cover the plunger’s rubber cup.
• Create a tight seal and plunge forcefully several times.

If the water starts draining, you’ve cleared the clog.

5. Use a Drain Snake or Auger

For deeper clogs that a plunger can’t reach, a drain snake or auger is the next step.

How to do it:

• Insert the snake into the drain and rotate it to break up the clog.
• Pull out any trapped debris.
• Flush the drain with hot water afterward.

This method is especially useful for clogs caused by hair buildup or soap scum further down the pipe.

Using a drain snake is typically reserved for professionals, so ensure you have the proper experience in using this piece of equipment!

6. Consider a Safe Drain Cleaner (Use With Caution!)

Chemical drain cleaners can dissolve clogs, but they come with serious risks—to both your plumbing and your health. The harsh chemicals can corrode pipes over time, leading to leaks and costly repairs. Worse, the fumes and splashes can cause skin burns, eye irritation, and dangerous respiratory issues if inhaled.

If you use one:

• Choose an enzyme-based cleaner, which is gentler on pipes and safer for you.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
• Never mix different cleaners. Combining them can release toxic, potentially deadly fumes.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average household’s leaks waste over 10,000 gallons of water annually. Using safe, effective methods to prevent recurring clogs can help reduce water waste and plumbing expenses.

When to Call a Plumber for a Shower Drain Clog

If these DIY fixes don’t solve the problem, or if your drain keeps clogging again and again, it’s time to consider professional help. Some blockages go beyond the reach of home remedies and require specialized tools and skills.

Here’s when to stop fighting the drain and call in a plumber:

1. Water Backs Up No Matter What You Try

If you’ve plunged, snaked, and poured every safe solution you can think of down the drain, but water still refuses to go down, you’re likely dealing with a more severe blockage deep in your plumbing system. A clogged P-trap or even a partial sewer line obstruction could be to blame.

Continuing to dump DIY solutions into the problem will not fix what’s happening below the surface—it will just waste time and possibly make things worse.

2. Foul Odors from the Drain

A musty, rotten, or sewage-like smell coming from your drain isn’t normal. It could indicate trapped debris decaying in your pipes, mold and bacteria growth, or even sewer gas escaping due to a more serious blockage. If your bathroom is starting to smell even with constant cleaning, it’s time to call a professional plumber.

3. Recurring Clogs Despite Multiple DIY Fixes

If your shower drain clears up for a few days only to come right back, something bigger is going on. Maybe mineral buildup has significantly narrowed the pipes, or maybe there’s a structural issue with your plumbing that’s causing debris to collect in the same spot repeatedly.

Whatever the reason, a plumber can inspect your system, pinpoint the root cause, and prevent the cycle from continuing. Otherwise, you’re just clearing the symptom, not solving the actual problem.

4. Slow Drainage Even After Clearing the Pipe

Sometimes, even after a clog is removed, water still drains too slowly. This could indicate partial blockages further down, hidden pipe damage, or poor drainage design in older homes. If you’ve done everything right and your drain is still sluggish, a plumber can conduct a camera inspection to diagnose the issue.

5. Multiple Clogged Drains at the Same Time

If your shower, sink, and toilet are all draining slowly — or worse, backing up at the same time — you’re dealing with a significantly bigger plumbing problem. A main sewer line clog or a tree root intrusion could be damaging your underground plumbing. This isn’t a DIY job. Call a plumber immediately.

6. How to Prevent Shower Drain Clogs for Good

You can keep clearing clogs every few weeks, or you can stop them from happening in the first place. Prevention is cheaper, easier, and far less disgusting than pulling out a fistful of hair from a backed-up drain.

Here’s how to keep your drains healthy and your showers stress-free:

• Use a Drain Cover: Catches hair and debris before they enter your pipes. Clean it regularly.
• Brush Hair Before Showering: Reduces the amount of loose hair going down the drain.
• Switch to Liquid Soap: Prevents sticky soap scum buildup that traps debris.
• Flush the Drain Weekly: Pour hot water down the drain to loosen minor buildup.
• Schedule Routine Drain Cleaning: Home plumbing maintenance and professional cleaning can catch hidden buildup before it turns into a costly clog.

If DIY Fails, Call Lee Company!

A slow drain today can turn into a plumbing disaster tomorrow. You can try DIY fixes, but if your shower drain keeps clogging no matter what you do, it’s time to bring in a pro. Waiting too long could lead to costly water damage, pipe replacements, or even full-scale sewer issues.

Lee Company has been helping homeowners in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia keep their plumbing running smoothly since 1944. Our licensed and insured plumbers specialize in advanced drain-clearing solutions, including hydrojetting and camera inspections, so that your pipes are always clean and clog-free.

If your shower drain is causing you trouble, don’t wait until it becomes a costly plumbing emergency—schedule service today!