A blocked bath or shower drain leaves standing water. It makes the fixture unusable and can cause water damage if left alone. Hair that combines with soap scum is the usual cause, because it forms a dense plug in the trap or waste pipe.
Shower trays with shallow traps are especially prone to this. Their pipes are smaller, so they clog more easily. Our engineers use flexible drain snakes that follow the tight bends in bath waste pipes. They also use micro-jetting nozzles made for small pipes.
For shower trays set into the floor, specialist low-profile tools reach the trap. Therefore the plumber does not need to lift tiles. The plumber also checks the waste pipe beyond the trap, because a second fault could be slowing the drain. The plumber protects bathroom surfaces throughout. If other fixtures slow down too, read the warning signs of a blocked drain.
The work on a bath or shower drain depends on access. A shower tray with restricted access can take longer, since the blockage may lie further downstream. Request a quote online and describe the problem; the plumber will discuss the job with you.
A simple hair catcher over the plughole is the most effective way to prevent blockages. These mesh or silicone guards catch hair before it enters the waste pipe. Clean the guard after each use to keep the pipe clear.
Usually, yes, because slow drainage almost always means a partial blockage in the trap or waste pipe. Occasionally the cause is a venting problem. If air cannot enter the pipe behind the draining water, it slows the flow. Our engineers check for both causes.
Yes, if the bath shares a waste pipe with other fixtures, as in many Colchester properties. A blockage in the shared section can affect the bath, the basin and sometimes the toilet. If several fixtures drain slowly, the blockage is likely in the underground drain.