You may need to snake your shower drain if you notice that the water in your tub tends to drain slowly.A plumbing snake is used to clean out old hair and soap from a drain.The snake will collect gunk from the drain and pull it out of the pipes.The snake won't damage your pipes, so snarking a drain is better than using chemical cleaners.A snake can remove obstructions that chemical cleaners can't break down.
Step 1: You can purchase a snake.
A drain or plumbing snake is a long coiled metal spiral that has a graspable handle on one end.Electric drain snakes can be attached to a power drill and can either be manual or electric.Both manual and electric plumbing snakes can be found at your local hardware store or home-supply store.A snake will cost a lot of money.
Step 2: Wear rubber gloves and goggles.
Put on a pair of gloves before you start working on the shower drain.You don't want to risk cutting your fingers on the shower drain or snake, and pulling out months-old mats of soggy hair can be a gross task.It is not mandatory to wear safety goggles when draining a shower drain.If you've recently tried to un-clog the drain with a chemical drain cleaner, it's a smart idea.
Step 3: The shower drain cover needs to be removed.
A metal grate-like cover protects shower drain openings from being accidentally stepped on.You can pry out the drain cover if it's stuck in the housing.Use a screwdriver to remove the cover if it is screwed into place.You can skip this step if your shower has a drain cover.
Step 4: Feed the snake into the drain.
It may take a few tries to get the business end of the snake down into the drain.Feed the snake until you start to feel resistance.
Step 5: Slowly crank the snake handle.
You can feel resistance if the snake is at least a few inches down your drain.This will turn the tip of the snake into a snare.The drain snake will be pushed further into the shower pipe if the handle is turned clockwise.
Step 6: Continue to turn the snake handle.
The handle becomes more difficult to turn as the end of the snake moves deeper into the shower drain.This is a good sign that the snake is cleaning the drain.As it bends in the shower drainpipe, the snake may become more difficult to turn.If you experience resistance, pull the snake back 2 inches and then gently press it back down into the drain.
Step 7: You have to snake the drain until you feel less resistance.
If you feel the snake becomes easier to move, this means you loosened the mat in the drain.Give the handle one more full turn to make sure the obstacle is fully hooked, and then stop rotating the snake.You risk losing part or all of the mat further down the drain pipe if you keep spinning the snake.The snake should be gentle with the pipe.
Step 8: The handle should be turned clockwise to withdraw the snake.
It's easier to pull the snake out of the shower drain if you spin it in the opposite direction.Pull slowly and avoid yanking on the snake in order to avoid leaving clumps of hair in the drain pipe.
Step 9: The snake draws gunk from the drain.
Once you have removed the shower snake from the drain pipe, you can use your gloves to pull the hair and other debris from it.The material should be thrown in a trash can.If you remove the shower drain cover before starting to snake the drain, you can re-attach it.You can use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up hair or debris.Hold the end of the vacuum's hose against the drain.
Step 10: If the shower doesn't drain, call a plumbing professional.
If you still can't get your shower or tub to drain, you should call a local plumbing professional.If you have a draining problem, an experienced plumbing professional should be able to fix it within a day or two.A plumbing professional will be better equipped to deal with serious drain issues.