It’s the day before Halloween, and your shower is starting to feel like something out of a horror movie—water pooling at your feet, gurgling sounds from the drain, and a mysterious smell rising from the depths. If your shower drain is acting haunted, don’t panic. Most clogs are easy to deal with—as long as you know where to look and what to do.

At A+ Services, we help homeowners across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati tackle spooky plumbing problems like these every day. Whether you’ve got a slow drain or standing water that won’t budge, here’s how to banish the clog—before it turns into a full-blown plumbing poltergeist.

What’s Haunting Your Shower Drain?

Before you reach for the drain snake, it helps to understand what’s causing the clog in the first place. Most shower drain blockages are caused by:

Hair (especially long strands that bind with soap scum)
Soap and conditioner buildup
Dirt and sediment from daily use
Mineral deposits from hard water
Foreign objects (like razor caps or shampoo seals)
Even the rare spooky surprise—like tree roots infiltrating cracked pipes

Some of these can be managed with simple tools and home remedies. Others might require a visit from your local plumbing pros at A+ Services.

Tried-and-True (and a Little Creepy) Ways to Unclog a Shower Drain

Got standing water or a drain that’s draining slower than a zombie in a foot race? Here are the most effective ways to scare away a clog, naturally and safely—without relying on harsh chemicals that can eat away at your pipes like acid in a witch’s cauldron.

1. Boiling Water

Simple but powerful. Boil a full kettle of water and slowly pour it down the drain. This can help dissolve built-up soap residue and push soft clogs through.

2. Dish Detergent + Boiling Water

Pour 1/4 cup of dish soap down the drain, followed by boiling water. The slippery soap helps loosen sticky hair and grime stuck to pipe walls.

3. Baking Soda and Vinegar (the bubbling cauldron method)

This fizzy duo is a classic. Use one of two methods:

Mix ½ cup baking soda with ½ cup vinegar and pour it directly down the drain
Or pour the baking soda first, then the vinegar

Wait 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. It’s a great non-toxic way to break down buildup and eliminate odors.

How to Unclog a Shower Drain With Tools (No Witchcraft Required)

Sometimes potions aren’t enough—you’ll need tools to get to the source of the clog.

The Plunger Method

Remove the drain cover
Add water to cover the base of the plunger
Place the cup directly over the drain and plunge forcefully several times
Remove the plunger and run water to test drainage

If it flows freely, the ghost is gone.

The Drain Snake (or Auger)

Remove the drain cover
Gently insert the snake into the drain until you feel resistance
Rotate the handle clockwise to break up or grab the clog
Carefully pull the snake back out
Dispose of any ghastly gunk that comes with it
Flush the drain with hot water and replace the cover

This is the best method for pulling out hair clumps or breaking through stubborn blockages buried deeper in the pipe.

Removing Hair From a Clogged Shower Drain (If You Dare)

Hair is the most common monster lurking in your shower drain. It builds up just beneath the cover and traps other debris, creating a slow-draining mess.

Here’s how to remove it:

Take off the drain cover
Use a gloved hand, wire hanger, or drain cleaning stick to grab and pull out the hair
Toss it in the trash (not back into the drain)
Rinse with hot water

If this is a recurring problem, consider installing a hair catcher or drain screen to avoid future scares.

When to Call a Professional Plumber Instead of Braving the Pipes Yourself

Even the bravest homeowners know when to call for backup. If your shower drain keeps clogging or refuses to clear, the issue might be deeper in your plumbing system—or something more serious, like a cracked pipe or root intrusion.

Signs it’s time to call A+ Services:

Water won’t drain no matter what you try
Odors persist or worsen after cleaning
Water backs up into other drains
You hear bubbling or gurgling sounds
The same drain keeps clogging over and over

Don’t Let a Clog Haunt Your Home — Call A+ Services for Drain Cleaning Help

Whether your drain is clogged with hair or something more sinister, the expert plumbers at A+ Services are here to help. We offer fast, honest, and professional drain cleaning services across Covington, Florence, Independence, and all of Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati—with 24/7 emergency support available.

We’ll show up fast, explain what’s going on, and clear your clog without the tricks—or the toxic chemical treats. And if the problem runs deeper, we have the tools to inspect and repair your pipes safely and thoroughly.

Request service today and we’ll help you enjoy a clog-free Halloween—without the horror story.

Follow A+ Services for more seasonal home tips and plumbing advice:

How to Unclog a Shower Drain Before It Becomes a Plumbing Nightmare

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