5 Best Ways to Get Hair Out Of Your Drain

Dealing with hair in the shower drain? Whether you use a drain stopper or not, hair can eventually build up and slow down your drain. It can be frustrating, but before you pull your hair out, you should know there are plenty of easy ways to remove hair clogs. View our tips to learn how to get hair out of sink drain.

How to Get Hair Out Of Your Drain

1. Use Baking Soda & Vinegar Prior to Plunging It 

Combining baking soda and vinegar creates a powerful reaction that can eliminate most hair clogs. Start by pouring a small amount of dish soap down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda. After about 5 minutes, the concoction will be at full strength. Next, pour a cup of boiling water to help clear out the clog. Your drain should be mostly clear, but we recommend using a cup or flap plunger to remove any hair left over. 

2. Remove It With Tweezers 

Although the hair clogging your drain may be clumped up, that doesn’t mean it’ll be easily plunged out. That’s when a pair of tweezers or needle nose pliers come in handy. First, you’ll need to remove your drain stopper if you have one. To get a better view of the obstruction, use a flashlight as you use the pliers to remove the hair in the shower drain. 

3. Buy a Snaking Device 

Is that pesky drain still clogged? It may be time to buy a snaking device to break it up. You can find various drain snakes made for different kinds of clogs at hardware stores near you. A drain snake is an easy tool to use to get hair out of your drain. Start by feeding the device down the drain until you feel the clog, which should be more than a few feet. 

Once you make contact with the clog, begin rotating the snake to break it up. With the clog broken, run some water to ensure liquids are able to drain easily. If water comes back up, repeat the process but feed the snake deeper this time. A snaking device is safer to use than drain chemicals that can cause corrosion in your pipes.

4. Remove the Drain

If pouring, snaking, and plunging aren’t working, you can always remove the drain. To remove your shower drain, you’ll need a tool called a plug wrench which is designed to fit into your drain’s crossbar for easy removal. If a sink drain is clogged, you’ll need to unscrew the p-trap underneath the sink. Make sure you have a bucket under it to catch any water dripping out. 

5. Call a Professional 

When all else fails, or you just don’t want to get your hands dirty, contact a professional plumber to receive assistance getting hair out of your drain. Whether it’s hair in the drain or some other obstruction, a professional will be able to resolve your issues.

How to Avoid Hair Clogs In Your Drain

Don’t let a hair clog turn your shower into a bath. Take these practical steps to ensure water drains easily. 

Install a Hair Catcher 

One of the easiest ways to prevent a hair clog is to stop hair from getting into the drain. A hair catcher can prevent most hair and other debris from accumulating in your drains. 

Apply Hygiene Tips to Keep Hair Out Of the Shower 

By applying simple hygiene steps you can stop the loose hair and shaven hair from clogging your drains. One way is to brush your hair before showering to remove any loose hair. Another way is to stop shaving over the sink drain or in the shower. And when you see a clump of hair on the shower floor or in the sink, remove it before it reaches the drain. 

Don't Pour Chemicals Into Your Drains 

You might be surprised by this one, as this is a typical go-to solution for drain clogs. However, prolonged use of over-the-counter chemical solutions can be corrosive to your pipes. So it might clear out your clog, but you might also need to replace your plumbing. 

Run Water Through Your Drains

We know what you’re thinking, “How can running water be the solution to a clogged drain?” It’s simple physics. Start by filling your tubs and sinks with hot water. When they’re all full, drain them simultaneously and flush your toilets. The force created should help remove some blockages. Doing this once in a while can keep bigger clogs from forming. 

Professional Drain Cleaning Services

Not sure you can fix your clogged drain? No problem. Our professional plumbers offer exceptional drain cleaning services for homes in Downers Grove, IL and other areas. Our technicians have the tools and experience to handle just about any drain problem. In addition, our contractors provide other types of plumbing services such as water heater repair, sewer line installation, sump pump repair, and water line replacement. Reach us by phone at (630) 968-0783 or fill out a service request form online here.