Standing Water In Shower Drain: The Reasons and Troubleshooting

Standing water in the shower drain is so unpleasant that you will feel disgusted seeing it. The murky and dirty water will soon become a headache as it refuses to leave the shower space through the drain. The shower water can’t drain properly through the drainage system. This stagnant water is known as standing water.

As you see water sitting in the shower drain, you must understand why it happens. So, why is my shower water not going down the drain? Why is it standing in the shower or bathtub?

Shower drains slow due to the gradual build-up of lint and residues. Also, hair accumulation inside the pipe can be the cause. You can use boiling water, baking soda with vinegar, and a plumbing snake to remove the obstacle and eliminate sitting water.

Is It Normal For Water To Sit In Shower Drain?

Water sitting in the shower drain isn’t a standard and regular event. The shower drain is designed to remove 99% of bathed water within minutes. Only the floor might remain wet for a couple of minutes as it takes time to dry.

Thus, it’s abnormal to see shower water not going down. It happens mainly because of the clogged drainage system. Hence, you must unclog the draining pipe to enjoy a neat and clean shower.

Why Is My Shower Water Not Going Down The Drain?

As soon as you see water standing on the shower floor, you must find its reason ASAP. So, you must know, “Why is there standing water in my drain?”

It can be due to one of multiple reasons.

• Hair accumulation: When we take a bath, our hair will drain through the pipe. If we don’t clean the drain stopper for too long, the hair will sit right at its mouth. It will slow down the draining pace of the shower water.
• Soapy lint: The soapy lint goes with the shower water. It gradually develops on the draining wall and causes blockages. Plus, most bath products will cause these lint accumulations over a period.
• Residues: Many smaller particles will flow with the shower water while we bathe. These residues slowly develop inside the draining wall. So, its diameter becomes tight. It is also responsible for standing water inside the shower drain.

Unless something massive obstructs the shower drain, you should unclog it quickly. The unclogging task can be performed in various ways.

How Do You Get Standing Water Out Of A Shower Drain?

When you find yourself in ankle-deep water after bathing, it’s time you fix the drain. Thus, unblocking the standing water inside the shower drain is a must. Thankfully, there’re multiple ways of doing it.

Method 1: Use Home Remedies

Baking soda and white vinegar are available in most home kitchens. You can use them combined to remove minor clogs from the shower drain.

• Let ¾ cup of baking soda go through the drain pipe.
• Now, pour 1 cup of white vinegar through the pipe.
• As you wait for 1-hour, the baking soda and vinegar will start reacting.
• The fizzing reaction will soften the lint and residue inside the drainage.
• Now, pour boiling water through it to eliminate the softened residues.

You may use salt instead if you don’t have vinegar at home. The result will be identical.

Method 2: Use a Coat Hanger

You may use a coat hanger if the clogs are nearby the draining mouth. The coat hanger can get hold of the hair and lint inside the pipe. Also, you can bend the hanger to remove the debris.

To use the coat hanger, straighten it first. Then, bend one end of it to a J-shape. The J-shaped end will work as a hook. Now, carefully hold the other end and insert the hooked side inside the pipe. Move it across the drainage wall and grab as many residues as possible.

You need to repeat the process multiple times. Also, pour boiling water to soften the residues. It makes the residue-holding process for the coat hanger easier.

Method 3: Apply Plunger

You can use the plunger to create a vacuum inside the shower drain and use air pressure to remove the blockade. This system is preferable when you have slightly larger and more residues in the drain. The idea is to cover the drain with the plunger to stop airflow and create a vacuum. As you maintain the airtight seal and remove the plunger, the vacuum will suck more air.

This increased air pressure will push all the residues and clog through the pipe into the sewer line.

• Look at the suction rim of the plunger and apply petroleum jelly around it. It will disallow the air from going inside around the rim.
• Now, put the plunger right above the drain. Make sure it creates an airtight seal.
• With the plunger, apply repeated pressure for the draining pipe. You need to continue applying the pressure for 3-minutes.
• Now, you can remove the applied plunger from the draining pipe. Also, switch on the hot and cold water shower faucets for a few minutes.
• You should see the standing water down the shower drain moving. Also, repeat the plunging system multiple times, if necessary.

If plunging the shower drain line fails to remove the blockade, you will need to use the drain snake.

Method 4: Use a drain snake for clogs deep down

The drain snake will be the best option to reach the deep clogs inside the drain. It is also known as a drain auger or plumbing snake. You will see its use in unclogging drains where the coat hanger or plunger fails to work.

The drain snake can reach up to 3 feet inside the drain. You will need to move its wring to catch and remove the residues. As you work with the drain auger, be sure not to hurt the draining wall. Or else it can start leaking and cause even more headaches for you.

As you work with the drain snake, you should wear gloves. It will protect your hands. Also, wearing gloves will allow you to apply more pressure on the drill to move it forcefully. You must keep inserting, moving, and pulling back the auger multiple times. Also, use the plumbing snake at different levels to remove debris altogether.

You may see the following video for using the plumbing snake perfectly:

As you work with the plumbing snake or plunger, the water sitting in the shower drain will be removed soon. Thus, you will no longer see yourself standing on the murky water in your shower. Also, it is helpful to maintain hygiene in your shower and bathtub space.

Finally, you should call for a professional if your home remedies or drain snake to unclog the shower drain and remove the sanding water. It will cost you around $50 to $100.