Is Your Hair Clogging the Drains? Here’s What to Do

Many homeowners have experienced this nightmare:

• Getting into their shower.
• Turning on the water.
• Finding themselves up to their ankles in standing water because the drain is sluggish or won’t drain at all.

This is a problem that doesn’t take an expert to identify: hair blocking the drains. But why does hair wind up in your shower drains, forcing you to scour the internet for a reputable provider before you can enjoy your shower again? There are various reasons for this, so let’s go through them, so you know what’s going on and attempt to avoid it!

1. Hair Loss Happens Everyday

You are constantly shedding strands of hair, regardless of your age. If you’re an ordinary adult with a regular head of hair, you’ll lose between 50 and 150 strands of hair in a typical day spent at home. For most of your life, your body is continually renewing lost hair, so most individuals don’t see those strands.

Some of those lost hair strands will almost certainly end up in the drain, which will most likely call for a drain cleaning service. If even one-third of your lost hair strands find their way to the shower drain when you shower every day, you’ll be contributing around 35 strands of hair to your drain each day.

2. Hair Expands When Wet

When you jump in the shower, your hair is going to absorb water and expand. This is especially true if you have longer hair, as it will take on more water than shorter hair. The expansion of your hair can cause clumps of wet hair to become stuck in the drain, leading to a clog that’s difficult for water to push through.

3. Your Hair is Rich With Oils

Your hair follicles produce natural oils that help protect your strands and keep them healthy and moisturized. However, those same oils can also contribute to clogged drains. When mixed with soap scum, this can create a sludge-like substance that clings to your drain’s walls and catches other hair strands, causing an even bigger problem.

How to Prevent Hair From Clogging Your Shower Drains

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to try and prevent hair from clogging up your shower drain.

The first step is to invest in a quality drain strainer or hair catcher that will fit snugly inside your shower drain. This will catch most of the hair before it has a chance to go down the drain and become a problem. Just make sure to clean it regularly!

Another preventative measure you can take is to rinse your drain with hot water after each shower. This will help break up any soap scum or oils clinging to the sides of your drain and washes away any lost hair strands.

If you’re already dealing with a clogged drain, the best thing you can do is call a professional drain cleaning service. They have the tools and experience necessary to quickly and effectively clear away any blockages in your drains so you can get back to using them as normal.

Conclusion

Hair clogs in shower drains are a common problem for many homeowners, but there are things you can do to try and prevent them. If you already have a clog, the best solution is to call a professional drain cleaning service.

If you are looking for a reliable and licensed plumber near you, we can help you. Bromac Mechanical is located in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Our services are available to both the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. We are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to fix and help secure your plumbing system. Contact us today to fix any emergency plumbing issues!