Can Clogged Shower Drain Cause Leaks
Do you have a clogged shower drain or plumbing leak? Don’t fret — call Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. at (847) 268-3553!
Nothing hits the spot quite like a nice hot shower, especially after a long day. But if you have a clogged shower drain, your relaxing shower can quickly turn into a headache. Dealing with a clog is frustrating enough, so the last thing you want is for a leak to crop up too.
Can a clogged shower drain cause a leak? In short, yes! If the clog is big enough, it can put too much pressure on your pipes and cause a leak, which leads to a whole host of other problems.
As the go-to drain cleaning experts in Aurora, our Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. team has seen it all and done it all when it comes to plumbing problems. We’ve also fixed leaks caused by clogged shower drains, so we can help you navigate this especially frustrating problem and get your home’s plumbing back up and running in no time.
How Does a Clogged Shower Drain Lead to a Plumbing Leak?
Plumbing clogs and leaks might seem like two totally different problems. While this is partially true, these issues can overlap to create a more complex plumbing situation.
So how can a clogged shower drain cause a leak? Basically, if the drain blockage is big enough, it can create excessive pressure on your pipes, eventually causing them to crack or break and leak water. This pressure is the result of water backing up in the drain as the blockage prevents it from moving through the pipe. If it backs up enough, the water will find a way out through the pipe’s seals and joints, thus creating the problematic leak.
However, this isn’t the only way for a clogged shower drain to create a leak. Manufacturers and builders design shower drains to handle a continuous flow of water, not standing water. So when a clog occurs and forces the drain to hold water, it creates problems for the plumbing system, including leaks.
If you have metal piping, you also have to worry about corrosion. A clog will force water in your pipes to stay in one place for extended periods of time, which leads to corroded pipes. When the corroded pipes become weak enough, they can break and cause leaks within your plumbing system.
How Do You Know If You Have a Plumbing Leak?
Having a clogged shower drain is pretty obvious, but you might not easily recognize when you have a leak. It’s important to find and address leaks as soon as possible. Otherwise, even the smallest leak can lead to water damage on your property or worsened plumbing issues.
If you notice any of these signs, call your local plumber as soon as possible to schedule a plumbing inspection:
- Slow drainage in your shower
- Unpleasant smells coming from the drains
- Standing water or puddles in your shower or tub long after you turn off the faucets
- Gurgling sounds coming from the drain or pipes
What Are the Best Ways to Unclog Your Shower Drain?
Now that you know the answer to “Can a clogged shower drain cause a leak?” is a resounding “yes,” you need to know what to do when it happens. Fixing a clogged shower drain as soon as possible is crucial if you want to minimize plumbing damage and restore your home’s plumbing system.
Here are a few proven home remedies that can help you clean your shower drain:
- Boil some water: Pour boiling-hot water down your shower drain to break up the contents of the clog. This is a good troubleshooting step to start with since it’s easy to boil water and pour it down the drain. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any harsh chemicals corroding your pipes.
- Mix baking soda and vinegar together: Baking soda and white vinegar make a well-known homemade cleaning solution. Pour a cup of baking soda down your drain and follow with vinegar after a few minutes. This mixture is excellent at breaking up hair, soap scum, and other debris.
- Grab your plunger: Yes, you can use your plunger for your shower drain. The plunger’s suction can pull apart the blockage and restore water flow.
- Get your hands dirty: Although not the most pleasant method, if the clog is close enough, you can use your hands to pull it out.
If you go to the store looking for clog-removal solutions, you’ll come across a lot of different chemical cleaners. While these aren’t necessarily ineffective, they often contain chemicals that can gradually corrode and damage your pipes over time.
Instead of pouring chemicals down the drain, try the above DIY steps first. If none of those work, it’s best to just call a professional plumber.
Plumbers use state-of-the-art equipment and have experience dealing with various types of clogs. They can help you locate the blockage and safely remove it without damaging your pipes. If you’re also dealing with leaks, they can quickly find the source and provide the necessary repairs.
Give Our Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. Team a Call Today
Plumbing problems, whether big or small, are never fun to deal with. While minor leaks or slow drains might seem like problems that can wait a few weeks, you should address these issues as soon as possible to prevent them from worsening.
Our Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. team has seen every plumbing problem under the sun. We know what causes leaks, how bad they can get, and how to fix them. We also know how to find and remove even the most stubborn clogs to restore your pipes and prevent leak generation.
Can a clogged shower drain cause a leak? Absolutely, so you need to address any sort of clog as soon as possible. Fortunately, we make it easy for you.
Whether you’ve got just one leak or every drain in the house is clogged, call Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. at (847) 268-3553. Let us show you why we’re the go-to plumbing team in Aurora!
