Since converting my 2nd floor bathroom to a large shower with a drain in the center, I’ve witnessed a gradual reduction in the speed of the water exiting through the drain. Over the past few weeks, I had at least 2 inches of water around my feet when I finished my showers. I made plans to buy some Drano next time I went to the supermarket.
And then the news of Irene came. Hurricane preparation took precedence and I never bought the Drano. After 2 sleepless nights of driving 500 miles to drop off my kids with my ex and then keeping an eye on the basement, sump pump, power, etc., I was finally ready for a nice, long shower before a long worry-free hibernation. But then I remembered that I had a clogged drain so it would have to be a short shower. But somehow, magically maybe, the water began flowing freely and uninterrupted through the drain.
I’ve witnessed many clogged drains in my lifetime and don’t recall any that fixed themselves. The only reason I could think of was Irene. So is it possible that Irene unclogged my drain?
The only thing I can think of is when the low-pressure area passed over your home, it may have been just enough vacuum on your sewer vent to dislodge a partial blockage.
When the shower was not draining right, was it just really slow, or was it more of a gloop-gloop-gloop…? The latter is usually an indication of bad venting, and the drain glugs as air bubbles come up to make way for the water to flow through the pipe. You may have been lucky and had a blob of hair, leaves, bird nests, whatever in the vent and the weather popped it loose.
If it goes back to slow draining, hold off on the Drano. Shower clogs are most often hair, and will respond well to mechanical, chemical-free efforts. Instead of the caustic stuff, get a Zip-It and start poking and sawing away, and you’ll probably be amazed and disgusted at what comes out.
Sewers were flushed by the storm and this probably helped even ‘upstream’ of the sewers, such as in-home plumbing. Nice, powerful wind gusts could have cleared up any problems or minor blockage in the home’s sewer vents, too (including scaring away any critters that took up residence in/near vents, etc.
So, it’s possible…
Thanks. If I recall correctly, it would drain slowly until the end, after which it made a gloop-gloop sound.
Alas, the effect was short-lived as the water is draining slowly again.
Please do not use Drano. That stuff is nasty, caustic, and often doesn’t work. If you have to call a plumber after using it, they will charge you more for the job. I know–I worked in rental property management for 26 years.
Buy baking soda, vinegar and a plunger. Put the first two down the drain, stop it and wait about an hour, then plunge. Repeat.
But Drano is one of the nastiest things in existance.
A well designed shower drain will have a grate that can be removed so that you can hook out the hair and other gubbins that is clogging up the drain. You will likely be amazed and impressed by the amount you have shed over time, and briefly consider going into the felt business.
I will definitely heed the advice given here. Thanks.
Annie-Xmas: Is the plunger expected to draw out the contents of the clog, or push it down and out?
In my experiences, down and out. But I druther have a baking soda/vinegar mix coming up than Drano, which tells you do not plunge after using if it does not unclog the drain. The backsplash will burn your skin and, if it gets into your eye, could blind you.