Tub and shower drain clogs Shower Drain Cleaning in Los Angeles

Most repeat shower clogs come from hair combined with soap scum, held in place by hard water scale. Each cleaning removes the clog, but rough scale lets new hair stick quickly. A hair catcher, regular strainer cleaning and, in some homes, water treatment slow the cycle. A clog that returns fast may be further down the line.

It depends on the drain type, where the clog is, how much hair and scale has built up and the time of service. A clog at the stopper is a smaller job than buildup deep in an old metal branch line. We give a free estimate before work begins, and new customers get 10% off.

Often, yes, for a clog near the surface. Remove the strainer or stopper and pull out the hair with gloved hands or a plastic drain tool. If the drain is still slow after that, the clog is in the trap or further down, and a small cable machine is the better tool.

We advise against it. Chemical products often fail on hair clogs and then sit in the trap. They can damage tub finishes, chrome and older metal pipes, and they create a burn risk for anyone who opens the drain later. If you used one, tell the technician before work begins.

A slow tub usually has a partial clog: hair wrapped around the stopper or trip lever plunger, or scum narrowing the drain. The stopper may also not be opening all the way. Cleaning the stopper and the overflow linkage often restores full flow.

That is a strong sign of a main sewer line clog. Water from the toilet cannot get past the blockage, so it rises at the lowest opening, often the shower. Stop using water and call for main line service. Cleaning the shower drain alone will not fix it.

A trip lever drain is a tub drain operated by a lever on the overflow plate. The lever moves a plunger or linkage inside the overflow tube to open and close the drain. Hair and scum collect on the plunger, so pulling it out through the overflow and cleaning it often fixes a slow tub.

It contributes. Most Los Angeles water is moderately hard to hard, and the minerals form scale inside drains. Scale is rough, so hair and soap scum stick to it instead of washing away. That is why shower clogs in hard water areas tend to build up faster and feel solid.

Common causes are hair and soap buildup decaying in the drain, or a dry P-trap that lets sewer gas through. Showers that are rarely used are prone to dry traps. Run water for a minute to refill it. If the smell persists after cleaning, the drain or vent may need a closer look.

Shower traps in slab homes cannot be removed, so we clean them from above. We take off the strainer and run a small cable through the drain, around the trap and into the branch line. That clears hair and scale without opening the floor.

Indirectly, yes. Standing water puts pressure on worn drain seals and grout, and water that sits at the drain can find its way through a failed gasket. If you see stains on a ceiling below the bathroom, have the drain and seals checked.

A plunger can help with a soft clog in a shower. For a tub, cover the overflow opening with a wet cloth first so the pressure goes down the drain instead of out the overflow. If plunging does not work after a few tries, stop and call for a cable.

Many shower clogs are cleared in one visit. Time depends on the drain style, how easily the parts come apart and how far the clog sits. Old, corroded drain parts or heavy scale can take longer. We tell you what to expect after the first look.

A linear drain is a long, narrow channel with a grate, often placed along a wall in modern showers. It can clog like any drain, usually with hair along the channel. Lifting the grate and cleaning the channel regularly keeps it flowing.

It rarely clears a hair clog, and it is a poor choice for many drains. Very hot water can soften some plastic fittings and may not reach a clog in the trap. Removing hair by hand or with a cable works better.

Yes. Stoppers stick because of hair, scale or worn linkage. We clean or adjust the stopper and linkage, and if the parts are worn or broken we can replace the drain trim. A stopper that stays partly closed is a common cause of slow tubs.

When two fixtures in the same bathroom are slow, the clog may be in the shared branch line rather than either drain. If fixtures in other rooms are also slow, the main line is likely involved. We test several fixtures to find where the blockage really is.

Yes. Grout, thinset and drywall dust can wash into a shower drain during a remodel and harden in the trap. These clogs do not dissolve and often need to be cut out with a cable. Covering drains with tape during work prevents the problem.

Pull hair off the strainer every shower or two and clean under the stopper every few weeks. A drain that is maintained this way rarely needs professional cleaning. If it still slows down often, have the trap and branch line checked.

Yes. A simple hair catcher over the drain is the best prevention for shower clogs, and it costs far less than a service call. It stops hair before it reaches the trap. Empty it after every few showers so it does not become a clog of its own.

Yes. We provide shower drain cleaning Los Angeles-wide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including nights, weekends and holidays. A slow shower can usually wait for a convenient time, but if water is backing up from the main line, call right away.

Yes. If a strainer, stopper, overflow plate or drain body is corroded or broken, we can replace it as part of the visit. We tell you what needs replacing during the free estimate, before any work begins, so you can decide whether to clean or replace.

Yes. Our team speaks English and Spanish, so you can describe the problem and review the estimate in the language you prefer. Let us know when you call and we will plan for it, so every question about your visit gets a clear answer.

We accept cash, credit and debit cards, checks, Venmo and Zelle. Your estimate is free and given before work begins, so you know the scope first. Financing is available on larger repairs if we find a bigger problem, such as a damaged branch line or main sewer.

Yes. 24/7 Rooter Service holds California contractor License #845109 and is bonded and insured. We are family-owned with more than 25 years of experience, BBB accredited with an A rating and rated 5.0 on Google and Yelp. Our workmanship warranty stands behind every completed job, and its terms are explained with your estimate.