Healthy Hair, Happy Drains: Tips for Maintaining a Clean Shower

March 28, 2024
Dan's Plumbing

Everyone loves the feeling of healthy hair, but dealing with clogs in the shower drain due to loose strands can be a real nightmare. Lucky for you, we’ve got a list of 20 handy tips that will help you maintain not only gorgeous locks but also sparkling clean pipes. Stay tuned as we discuss the first ten of these essential habits.

1. Regularly Clean Your Shower Drain

The first step towards maintaining a clean shower revolves around your drain (plumbing). With the build-up of hair, soap and fat, it becomes vital to clean it regularly. A simple hack? Use a cleaner specifically designed for drain cleaning once a week. This can help prevent major clogs from forming and keep water flowing freely.

2. Use a Shower Drain Cover

A sink strainer, or in this case, a shower drain cover, is a real lifesaver when it comes to limiting the amount of hair that can seep into your pipes. These covers work by catching hair and other debris before they make their way down your drain. So, invest in a good quality drain cover and protect your shower from potential headaches.

3. Try Hair Removal Shower Products

Incorporate hair removal shower products in your routine for better drain maintenance. These products are designed to dissolve hairs that may be stuck in your drain or pipes, allowing them to wash away easily with water – saving you from any plumbing disasters.

4. Use Drain Cleaning Solutions Monthly

Sure, you’re cleaning the shower regularly but how about deep cleaning for your drains? Instead of waiting until there’s a problem, make it a habit to use drainage solutions for kitchen and bathroom facilities once every month. Various enzymatic cleaner options available are safe for various pipe systems and septic tanks. These products eat away at the build-ups inside your drain pipes, keeping them clean and clear.

5. Comb Hair Prior to Shower

A simple activity like combing your hair before getting into the shower can help reduce the amount of hair that falls off and ends up down the drain. Plus, it reduces the amount of work your shower drain cover has to do! This habit can prevent any potential issues associated with blockage in the drain circuit of your home’s hydraulic engineering system.

6. Reduce Overuse of Hair Products

Hair Products like gels, shampoos or conditioners might be great for your hair, but not so much for your drains. They create build-up down the line which can cause serious plumbing issues over time. Try opting for options that will maintain clean, healthy hair but can be easily washed away with water without leaving a considerable residue.

7. Perform Weekly Bathroom Deep Cleans

Aside from spot-cleaning and regular rinse-offs, ensure you run a deep-clean every week. Focus on all areas – from cleaning agents to rain gutters, bathroom surfaces, plumbing fixtures for water heating and even drains. This way, you maintain a clean bathroom while averting major clogs or other plumbing issues that could crop up over time.

8. Regularly Check for Drain Clogs

Making it a habit to regularly check for any minor clogs will save you a lot of time and headache in the future. Be vigilant about sluggish drains or pools of water that take forever to recede – they might just be warning signs of a looming drainage issue.

9. Purchase Quality Plumbing Tools

No list of tips would be complete without this crucial point – investing in quality plumbing tools. A dependable plunger, a sturdy drain snake, and a reliable wrench can make all the difference when you need to tackle a small clog or carry out some minor maintenance. These tools could potentially save you an expensive visit to a professional plumber.

10. Avoid Washing Pets in the Shower

While it may be convenient to wash your furry friend in the shower, it might not be the best for your drains. Pet hair can get rinsed down the drain causing significant blockages over time. If you must wash them in the bathroom, consider using a handheld vacuum to pick up as much pet hair before rinsing and proceed cautiously, using a drain cover.

11. Invest in Plumbing Snake Tool

An excellent tool for maintaining unclogged drains is a plumbing snake tool. It extends deep into your pipes to pull out hair and other debris that might be blocking the flow of water. Think of it as a long, flexible rod that you insert into the drain (plumbing) system to remove clogs. It’s efficient, cost-effective, and safer than using harsh cleaning agents. Plus, they’re easy to use! So, take the reins of your home’s hydraulic engineering today by investing in this practical and efficient tool.

12. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar can work wonders for a clogged drain. This chemical free solution is an efficient alternative to commercial drain cleaners. Start by pouring half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Allow this mixture to sit for at least 15-20 minutes before flushing the drain with hot water. The reaction between these two natural cooking ingredients will break down fatty acids from grease, soap, and hair accumulations, clearing your sink or bathroom drain effectively.

13. Limit Grease Down Bathroom Sinks

Fat and grease are common culprits behind blocked drains in both kitchen and bathrooms. Therefore, it is crucial to limit pouring grease straight down your sink or bathroom drains. Make sure to cool down and solidify cooking fats before disposing them in garbage bins instead of letting them wash off in your sink strainer. Regularly practicing this tip will help keep your plumbing working smoothly.

14. Use Mildew Resistant Shower Curtains

Mildew resistant shower curtains not only protect your bathroom aesthetics but also contribute towards overall cleanliness and hygiene including clean drains. Mildew can lead to additional soap scum, which can build up in your drain. By reducing mildew growth, you are also eliminating extra fats and soap from seeping down the drains. This contributes to a healthier drain (plumbing) system and reduces the frequency of required cleanings.

15. Try Using Less Hot Water

Did you know that hot water heating systems can accelerate the process of pipe corrosion? Hot water usage also increases soap residue formation which leads to slower drain processing. So, try taking shorter showers or using lukewarm water instead. These simple yet effective actions can prolong the life of your pipes and maintain the cleanliness of your drains without making significant changes to your lifestyle.

16. Avoid Using Harsh Chemical Cleaner

Cleaning agents may seem like an easy solution for clogged drains, but these harsh chemicals often lead to more harm than good. In the long run, they cause serious damage to your plumbing system by corroding pipes and negatively affecting your home’s overall hydraulic engineering system. Therefore, prioritizing biodegradable or enzyme-based cleaners for your bathroom and kitchen sinks is a safer and environmentally friendly choice.

17. Consider Installing New Shower Heads

If you’re experiencing slow drainage in the shower, it’s possible that your shower head may be contributing to this issue. Various adapters on shower heads control water flow rate and direction, resulting in less water usage and effective rinsing of soaps and shampoos down the drain (plumbing). Upgrading to a new efficient showerhead will help maintain a cleaner drain over time.

18. Do Regular Hair Brushes Cleaning

One overlooked culprit contributing to clogged bathroom drains is hair accumulation from hair brushes. Over time, loose hair strands end up down your drains causing blockages. A simple solution is regular cleaning of your hair brushes, which will not only prolong their lifespan but also contribute to happier, cleaner drains by reducing the chance of any unwanted blockages.

19. Swap Synthetic for Natural Products

The type of products you use contributes greatly to the health of your drains. Synthetic cleaning agents and personal care products may leave behind build-up or residue in sinks, promoting clogs in your pipes. Opt for natural products instead, which tend to cause less build-up and are gentler on drain (plumbing) systems. This involves swapping synthetic soaps, shampoos, and shower gels with their natural alternatives.

20. Limit Home-DIY Plumbing Projects

While a bit of DIY is good for maintenance and minor issues, limit the scope of any plumbing endeavors at home. Complex projects can lead to errors that worsen the current situation or cause new problems within your home’s hydraulic engineering system. If you’re facing persistent issues with your sink strainers or bathroom drains, consider hiring a professional plumber to rectify these concerns more effectively and safely.

In Conclusion

Proper hygiene and regular maintenance practices are key for happy drains and healthy hair. Simple steps like swapping synthetic for natural products or limiting the amount of hot water used can make a significant difference over time. Avoid doing complex plumbing projects by yourself without the right expertise. Instead, invest in essential tools like a plumbing snake tool to maintain clear drainage at home. With proper care and attention, you will enjoy cleaner showers while also prolonging the life of your drainage system.

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Dan's Plumbing

Bathroom Tips and Plumbing Content Team at Dan's Plumbing

Dan's Plumbing is one of Australia's leading emergency plumbing services. We deliver rapid plumbing service to many Australian cities including Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

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