A blocked bath or shower causes standing water and can damage the room over time. Hair usually combines with soap scum to form a plug in the trap or pipe. Shower trays clog faster than baths, since their pipes are narrower and fill more easily. We also check beyond the trap, in case a second blockage causes slow draining.
We remove the drain cover or waste fitting to reach the trap. Consequently, we can clear any visible hair and debris as part of the same visit.
We feed a flexible drain snake through the waste pipe to break up the blockage. For instance, a rotating cutting head removes compacted hair and soap deposits from stubborn clogs.
We flush the cleared pipe with water to remove loose debris. Since some buildup can remain, we also use a micro-jetting nozzle to clear it and restore full flow.
We fill the bath or run the shower at full capacity. Consequently, this confirms the water drains at the right rate, with no gurgling or slow flow left.
The cost of bath and shower unblocking depends on how easy the trap is to reach. A shower tray with tight access, or a blockage further along the pipe, takes more work. However, there's no call-out fee. Request a fast, fixed-price quote online, and we confirm it before we start.
Fitting a simple hair catcher over the plughole is the most effective way to prevent blockages. These cheap mesh or silicone guards catch hair before it enters the waste pipe. Additionally, cleaning the guard and flushing the drain with hot water each week keeps the pipe clear.
Usually, yes, since slow drainage almost always means a partial blockage in the trap or pipe. Occasionally, the cause is a venting problem instead. If air can't enter the pipe behind the water, it creates a vacuum that slows the flow. Our engineers check for both causes.
Yes, if the bath shares a waste pipe with other fixtures, which is common in Portsmouth homes. A blockage in that shared part can affect the bath, basin, and sometimes the toilet too. However, if several fixtures drain slowly at once, the blockage likely sits in the pipes underground.
You might also find our guides How to Prevent Blocked Kitchen Drains: A Complete Guide and 7 Warning Signs of a Blocked Drain in Your Property , useful.