Hair: The Shower Drain's Mortal Enemy
Hair: The Shower Drain's Mortal Enemy
If you're a homeowner, or a parent, you already know this statement is true. Most of us have one childhood memory of our parent wrestling with a strange looking contraption, pulling up bad-smelling gunk from the tub. But why does hair build-up so much, and how do you prevent clogs and pipe snaking?
Why Does Hair Clog Drains?
There are a few reasons why hair is the perfect nightmare for drains.
First, hair gets tangled. Even on our heads, with product, hair is difficult to style, and even more difficult to keep smooth and managed. Hair is made of keratin, and all hair types have cuticles, which are ridges that allow moisture and product into the hair. This is what causes hair to tangle. Like other fibers, their ridges allow them to connect and attach to one another. As soon as just a little hair gets lodged into a pipe, it will collect any fibers, especially hair, making its way through the pipe. This is what makes hair a shower drain's mortal enemy.
How Do I Prevent and Treat Clogs?
For those without, or with less, hair, and those living alone, preventing clogs is fairly easy, as there is less hair in the shower to prevent getting into the drain. However, if you have a full head of hair, and live with a few others, there are a few good steps to take.
1) Drain Protector
These guys will save you a lot of trouble. Just like the drain catcher in your sink that catches all the leftover food bits, installing a good shower drain protector is the first step.
2) Brush Hair
Whatever type of brush, comb, or pick you prefer, this is a great rule to have. Even running your fingers through your hair, giving yourself a gentle scalp massage, and collecting the hair that falls out to dispose in the trash is a simple and effective way to keep hair out of the shower, and out of your pipes.
3) Clean Regularly
Finally, like all other areas of your home, there are many benefits to cleaning regularly. We often focus more on the tile and grout than we do the non-cosmetic issues that come up, especially in the bathroom. Use a warm mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda for any drains in your home, including sinks, toilets, and showers. While this won't unclog an already-clogged drain, cleaning the pipes regularly will destroy build-up, and prevent clog before they start.
4) Professional Help
Finally, if you've got a leak, and need an effective, efficient solution, contact us to get started.
