Homeowners think that the drain stopper is enough for protection, but the truth is that hair does end up slipping into the drain, no matter what you do. If enough hair goes through, the drain slows down, and water flow is reduced. To solve the problem, you need to either pull the hair out or break up clumps.
Whenever your bathroom, tub, or shower drains do not effectively drain, there is a really good possibility the problem is hair. This is why, whenever you see slow draining, you should consider the following.
Using Manual Cleaning Solutions
The best option is to use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Just add one cup of each and some dish soap (choose a grease-fighting option). This is a mixture that you have to pour down the drain. Make sure that you add the baking soda first, and you then send vinegar down your drain. This will create a strong chemical reaction.
Wait until the fizzing is over, which is usually 5 minutes. Then, add some boiled water, but do it slowly. The last step is to start plunging. Repeat the process several times if you have to deal with stubborn hair clogs.
Using Tweezers
Whenever this option is possible, you need to consider it because it is very useful. You just need a flashlight, rubber gloves, a pair of needle-nose pliers, and a screwdriver.
Start by removing the stopper. Use the screwdriver if you have to. Since you do this, it is a good idea to clean the drain stopper. Remove all the hair that might be stuck and make sure it does not fall into your drain.
With the opening to the drain accessible, use your flashlight to see if there are clumps of hair visible. Put on a pair of gloves and start using the needle-nose pliers. Just reach in to grab the clump. When your pliers do not fit or reach, a makeshift snake can be created out of a regular clothes hanger. Remove all the hair that you can and then run hot water. Do this before you replace the stopper.
Using Zip-It Tools
The zip-it tool, in the event you are not aware, is a plastic barbed stick. It is actually created to help clear drains and is very cheap. Also, it can be reusable, and you can find it in the closest hardware store.
All you need to do is to insert the zip-it tool’s barbed length inside the drain. When you pool the tool back out, barbs catch hair. Obviously, it is a good idea to first remove the drain stopper before using the tool.
Removing The Drain
This should be seen as a last-ditch effort, and we have to emphasize the fact that if you are not handy or you never did any DIY work in the past, it is better to contact a plumber to get this done. When you remove the drain, it is easy to then remove the hair inside it. All you have to do is to wash it inside a bucket or in your sink and do it thoroughly.
Before putting the drain back, you have to remove all the hair and in the event that you cannot do this, seriously consider buying a new drain. Just take the old one with you to the hardware store. You can then quickly get a replacement with the help of the staff there. Usually, this is done during a remodeling project, but there is no reason why you should not do it when it no longer operates properly.
Final Thoughts
If you want your drains to work correctly, you need to remove the hair that is inside it. For many, this will be a gross task, but it is absolutely mandatory. The good news is that when you use any of the options mentioned above, you do not lose a lot of time.
Next time you think about how to decorate your small bathroom though, we do recommend that you take into account the drains that you have. You may want to see if you could replace them or you should at least buy new drain stoppers that are more capable of stopping hair from going through.
