Cleaning our bathrooms is something most of us do on at least a weekly basis. Disinfecting our toilets, wiping blobs of toothpaste off vanities and scrubbing shower scum from our showers are all part of our normal bathroom cleaning routine. We perform these tasks to effect good hygiene and because they are most obvious if we don’t. But what of the cleaning tasks that are not so obvious?

We are all aware of just how dirty our shower recesses can become on just a weekly basis with regular use. Dirt, soap scum and hair products line our shower walls and screens and most of us can attest to using extra “elbow grease” in this particular area at one time or another. How often though, have you given thought to your shower drain?

Shower Recess

Our shower drains not only collect the same amount of dirt, soap scum and other products as our tiles and screens, but they also collect hair. This then becomes quite a cycle of build up as once hair is caught, it collects even more soap scum and product, thus creating quite a sludge that can block the drain altogether.

Have you ever noticed water pooling at your feet whilst showering? This is a telltale sign that your shower drain is blocked. The sludge that blocks your drain causes not only odour, but can impair the waterproofing system within your shower recess and can cause it to leak. Water has a way of notoriously finding its way to almost anywhere and can damage adjacent walls, skirting boards, carpets, floors and if it happens in an upstairs bathroom, it can damage the ceiling below.

You see, your shower recess has been carefully waterproofed with membrane prior to tiling. This membrane is applied to your entire shower recess and is carefully dressed down into the shower waste and ensures that any water that seeps through tiles and grout is collected and drains out. However, when your shower drain becomes blocked, water builds up inside the drain and seeps under your waterproofing membrane. No matter how skilled and effectively your waterproofing has been applied, if your shower drain becomes blocked, your shower will leak.

These leaks are not always immediately obvious and damage can occur prior to detection. Blocked shower drains are one of the most common causes of shower leaks and are by far the easiest to prevent. How often you clean your shower drain will depend on how often it is used and the length of hair of those who use it, but as a general guide, should be done at least every couple of months.

 

Drain unclogger

Cleaning your shower drain is quite easy:

– Simply remove your shower grate and
– use a plastic drain unclogger to remove hair and debris. These drain uncloggers have little plastic spikes that catch hair and debris. They are available at Bunnings for under $5.00 and can be used in your sink drains as well to clear blockages.

When was the last time you cleaned your shower drain?

Related Articles:

How to prevent mould in your shower recess

Bathroom maintenance that goes beyond cleaning

How to make your own natural bathroom cleaner

Master Bathrooms & Kitchens are a bathroom and kitchen renovation company that has been servicing the Hills & Hornsby Districts since 1995. We like to provide our customers with advice to how keep their bathrooms and kitchens working and looking at their best. Be sure to check out our Guides section for more valuable bathroom and kitchen advice and peruse our website for more renovation inspiration.

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