February 19, 2026
You're taking your morning shower and notice the water around your feet isn't draining quite as fast as it used to. Or maybe you step out and there's still a puddle sitting in the tub 10 minutes later. Sound familiar?
A clogged shower drain rarely happens overnight. It starts slowly, giving you warning signs that something's building up in your pipes. Let's figure out if you're dealing with a clog and what you can do about it.
Signs Your Shower Drain Is Clogged
Not sure if you actually have a clog? Here are the telltale signs:
Water pools around your feet while showering. This is the most obvious sign. If you're standing in an inch or two of water by the time you're done showering, your drain isn't keeping up.
Slow drainage after you turn off the water. A healthy drain should clear within a minute or two. If you're waiting five, ten, or fifteen minutes for the water to disappear, you have a partial clog that's only going to get worse.
Gurgling sounds coming from the drain. That bubbling or gurgling noise means air is trapped in your pipes because water can't flow freely past the blockage.
Water backing up when you use other fixtures. If water appears in your shower when you flush the toilet or run the bathroom sink, you're dealing with more than just a simple shower drain clog.
Foul odors coming from the drain. That musty, sewage-like smell means organic material (hair, soap scum, body oils) is rotting in your pipes.
Standing water that won't drain at all. This is a complete blockage. Your drain is fully clogged and needs immediate attention.
If you're experiencing any of these issues, you've got a clog forming or already fully developed.
What's Actually Clogging Your Drain?
In Atlanta homes, shower drain clogs almost always come down to a few common culprits:
Hair is the number one cause. Every time you shower, loose hair washes down the drain. It doesn't dissolve or break down. Instead, it catches on any rough spot in your pipes and creates a net that traps more hair, soap, and debris. If you have long hair or multiple people using the shower, this happens faster.
Soap scum and product buildup stick to pipe walls and to that hair net we just mentioned. Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and shaving cream contain oils and fats that don't rinse away cleanly. They leave residue that accumulates over time.
Hard water minerals are common throughout metro Atlanta, especially in areas like North Fulton, East Cobb, and parts of Gwinnett County. These minerals combine with soap to create a tough, chalky buildup that narrows your pipes gradually.
Small objects sometimes slip down the drain. Razor caps, pieces of soap, shampoo bottle caps, or even jewelry can create a blockage point where everything else gets stuck.
The problem is, these clogs don't fix themselves. They only get worse as more hair and soap accumulate around the existing blockage.
What Happens If You Ignore a Clogged Drain?
Maybe you're thinking, "It's draining slowly, but it's still draining. I can live with it." Here's why that's a mistake:
The clog will get worse. Every shower adds more hair and soap to the blockage. What's a slow drain today becomes a completely blocked drain next week.
Standing water creates mold and mildew. In Atlanta's humid climate, moisture in your shower that doesn't drain properly becomes a breeding ground for mold. That's a health hazard and expensive to remediate.
You risk water damage. A completely blocked drain can overflow, sending water under your bathroom floor, into your walls, or through your ceiling if the bathroom is on an upper floor.
Bad odors get worse. That organic material trapped in your pipes starts decomposing, creating smells that spread throughout your bathroom and into adjacent rooms.
Other drains may back up. If the clog is deep in your drainage system, it can affect other fixtures. You might find yourself dealing with a backed-up toilet or sink because your shower drain wasn't addressed.
You'll pay more later. A simple drain cleaning today costs far less than emergency plumbing service, water damage repairs, and mold remediation down the road.
Bottom line: a clogged drain is only going to get worse, more expensive, and more disruptive to your daily routine.
Quick Things You Can Try Right Now
Before the situation gets worse, here are a few simple things you can attempt:
Remove the drain cover and look inside. You might see a clump of hair right at the opening that you can pull out with your fingers (wear gloves) or needle-nose pliers. Sometimes it's really that simple.
Pour a pot of very hot water down the drain. Not boiling (which can damage certain pipes), but very hot tap water. This can help melt soap buildup and flush minor clogs. Let it sit for a few minutes, then test the drainage.
Try a plastic drain snake. These inexpensive tools are available at hardware stores throughout Atlanta. You insert them into the drain, and the barbed edges catch hair as you push down and pull back up. They work well if the clog is within the first foot or two of your drain.
These quick fixes work for very minor clogs or hair caught right at the drain opening. But if you've tried these things and your shower still isn't draining properly, it's time to call a professional.
Why DIY Drain Cleaning Often Backfires
You've probably seen chemical drain cleaners at every grocery store and hardware store in Atlanta. They promise fast results, but here's what they don't tell you:
They rarely work on hair clogs. Most chemical cleaners are designed to dissolve grease and organic material, but they're not effective on the tangled hair that's actually clogging your shower drain.
They can damage your pipes. These products contain harsh chemicals like sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid. They generate heat as they work, and that heat can damage older pipes, PVC connections, and pipe joints. Many Atlanta homes, particularly in neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, and Candler Park, have older plumbing that's especially vulnerable.
They're dangerous to use. The chemicals can burn your skin, damage your eyes, and create toxic fumes in the confined space of your bathroom. If they don't clear the clog, you're left with a tub full of caustic water that's even more dangerous.
They make the plumber's job harder. If the chemical doesn't work and you call a professional, they now have to deal with hazardous chemicals sitting in your pipes while they work.
They can make clogs worse. Sometimes these products push hair and debris deeper into your pipes or cause it to compact into a harder blockage.
We've seen countless situations where homeowners spent $20 on chemical drain cleaners, didn't solve the problem, and then had to pay for professional service anyway. Save yourself the money, frustration, and potential pipe damage.
When You Need Professional Help (Probably Now)
Here's the honest truth: most shower drain clogs require professional attention. If you've noticed slow drainage for more than a few days, if water pools while you shower, or if quick DIY attempts didn't solve the problem, it's time to call RooterPLUS.
We have the right tools. Professional drain snakes can reach clogs deep in your pipes. Hydro-jetting equipment uses high-pressure water to blast away years of buildup. Video inspection cameras let us see exactly what's blocking your drain and where it's located.
We diagnose the real problem. Sometimes what looks like a simple clog is actually a symptom of a bigger issue. Damaged pipes, improper venting, or main line problems require different solutions than a hair clog. We identify the actual cause and fix it right the first time.
We won't damage your plumbing. We know how to clear drains without harming older pipes or creating leaks. That's especially important in Atlanta's historic neighborhoods where plumbing systems require special care.
We solve the problem permanently. We don't just push the clog further down the line. We remove it completely and can identify if there are conditions in your plumbing that make future clogs more likely.
We work fast. A clogged shower drain disrupts your entire household. We provide prompt service throughout the Atlanta metro area so you're not stuck dealing with this problem for days.
What to Expect When You Call RooterPLUS
We know dealing with plumbing problems is stressful. Here's exactly what happens when you contact us:
We answer your call quickly. You'll talk to a real person, not a recording. We'll ask a few questions about what you're experiencing so we can send the right equipment and be prepared to fix your specific problem.
We arrive on time. We respect your schedule and show up when we say we will. Our service area covers all of metro Atlanta, from Buckhead to Decatur, Sandy Springs to Marietta.
We diagnose the problem thoroughly. Before we start work, we'll inspect your drain and explain what's causing the clog. If we need to use a camera to look deeper into your pipes, we'll show you what we find.
We give you upfront pricing. No surprises. You'll know the cost before we start any work. We'll explain your options if there are different ways to address the problem.
We clear your drain completely. We don't just get water flowing again. We remove the entire clog and check that your drainage system is working properly.
We clean up after ourselves. Your bathroom will be as clean as when we arrived.
We give you prevention tips. We'll recommend simple steps you can take to prevent future clogs and let you know if we noticed any conditions that might cause problems down the road.
Don't Wait Until It's an Emergency
That slow-draining shower you've been putting up with? It's not going to get better on its own. Every day you wait, more hair and soap accumulate. The clog gets bigger, the drainage gets slower, and the eventual fix becomes more complicated.
We've seen homeowners wait until they're standing in six inches of water, until multiple drains back up, or until water damages their bathroom floor. At that point, what could have been a simple drain cleaning becomes an emergency that costs much more to fix.
Here's what you should do right now:
Don't pour any more chemicals down your drain. You're wasting money and potentially damaging your pipes.
Stop using that shower if it's completely blocked. Use another bathroom if possible to avoid overflow.
Call RooterPLUS today. We'll schedule a convenient time to come out and get your drain flowing properly again.
