Blocked shower tray or bath trap: how to sort it out effectively? Here’s how.

Have you noticed that water in the shower or bath isn’t draining away as efficiently as it should? Very often this is a sign of a build-up of debris in the trap, which hinders proper drainage. Over time, the accumulation can lead to a complete blockage. What should you do when this happens? You can unblock a shower tray or bath trap in several ways. Which ones? Read on below.

Blocked trap – the most common causes

A blocked trap is quite a common problem that can seriously disrupt everyday use of the bathroom. The most frequent cause of this nuisance is a build-up of a clump consisting of, among other things, hair, soap residue and other small debris that gradually settles in the pipes, creating a plug that prevents the free flow of water.

Of course, this isn’t the only reason that can cause a trap to become blocked. Very often, the problem is also hard-water mineral deposits accumulated in the waste, which over time narrow the pipes, and their removal can be very troublesome. It can also happen that small objects that accidentally fell in are responsible for the blockage.

Cleaning the trap with household methods

Cleaning the trap using household methods is an economical and effective way to ensure a smooth flow of water and avoid costly repairs. What can help? Much naturally depends on the type of contamination you’re dealing with, but it’s worth trying the possible home methods.

One of the most popular and simplest methods for lingering small debris is to use a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. Simply pour half a cup of bicarbonate of soda directly into the drain, then pour in half a cup of vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction can help dissolve accumulated contaminants. After about 30 minutes, just flush the drain with hot water and you’re done!

Another tried-and-tested home method is to use hot water and washing-up liquid, which helps break down greasy deposits. You should also remember to use special drain-cleaning brushes regularly, which help pull hair and other larger debris out of the drain.

However, bear in mind that these methods won’t always deliver the desired result — especially if a small object has fallen into the drain. In that case, you’ll need to dismantle the trap and clean it thoroughly.

How to dismantle a shower tray or bath trap?

Have you already tried home methods and they didn’t solve the problem? Did you go for chemicals, but they didn’t work either? In that case, it’s time for a more hands-on approach — dismantle the trap to get into every nook and cranny.

How to clean the trap in the shower?

Every shower tray is responsible for catching and draining water while the shower is in use, but a blocked trap can impede this and even cause water to overflow onto the floor. Cleaning the shower tray trap will help you avoid this problem.

How do you clean a shower tray trap? It usually consists of a cover and a drain insert, which can be unscrewed by hand or with a spanner. To clean the trap in a shower enclosure, start by removing the drain cover. A lot of debris gets trapped at this stage, so clean it thoroughly, removing accumulated hair, soap scum and other contaminants. Then remove the drain insert and clean that well too. You can remove dirt lodged in crevices with, for example, an old toothbrush.

It’s also worth rinsing the dismantled parts under warm running water. If you notice limescale deposits, use a vinegar solution or a dedicated limescale remover to dissolve them. Remember to rinse all parts thoroughly with clean water after using any cleaning agents, and then refit them in exactly the same way as before.

How to clean the trap in the bath?

Cleaning a bath trap is similar to a shower one. Unscrew the drain cover on the bottom of the bath by hand or with a spanner. Then, depending on the type of trap you have, it may be necessary to remove additional parts, e.g. the strainer or the trap body, which may be blocked by accumulated debris.

When cleaning the bath trap from above, start by removing dirt from the disassembled parts. Also check that nothing remains in the pipe. Rinse everything thoroughly and reassemble it as it was.

Keep the trap clean regularly and you’ll avoid blockages in future. Good luck!