If you find that you are splashing around too much when you're trying to take a shower, you may be dealing with a blocked drain. You need to act quickly to fix this as most shower tubs are pretty shallow, and if you're not careful, you will also end up soaking the bathroom floor. How do you deal with shower blockages, bearing in mind that there is typically a cover over the drain itself?
Creating a Vacuum
Even though you can't see down the drain due to the floor covering, you may still be able to apply a suction device. If you have a plunger and the drain area has a defined edge, try to place the plunger carefully over the area and create some suction. You may find it handy to put some vaseline on the edge as this will create a tight seal.
Screwing and Twisting
You may need to take the drain cover off if this doesn't work. Sometimes these will have tiny screws, and you'll be lucky if you have a screwdriver of that size. At other times, you just press the cover into place, and you may be able to leverage it off with the edge of a screwdriver. If you are successful, you will need to use a plumber's snake, which is a flexible and twistable device you can feed into the drain. Try to twist it several times and pull it back up to see if it grabs hold of the blockage.
Dissolving the Mess
If you're still at square one, go to the kitchen and get some baking soda and vinegar. Pour the baking soda into the drain and let it sit for a couple of minutes before adding a cup of vinegar. You should get a fizzy reaction, which may be enough to dissolve the blockage. Try running some water to see if it clears away the excess.
Staying Away from Bleach
You may be tempted to use some bleach but should proceed with care. If you pour undiluted bleach down the drain, it may damage the PVC pipe. Also, it's not likely to dissolve any blockage but would certainly get rid of any bacteria.
Handing It Over
If you are still scratching your head, it's probably time to call in a plumber. They will have the right tools and know-how, so will be able to get you back up and running soon.
For more help with blocked drains, contact a local plumbing service.
