A slow running drain is often caused by hair. Everyone sheds, but it usually isn’t noticeable unless you have long hair. Living with a furry pet means your drains are more likely to get clogged. Longer hairs also can work themselves free of your brush or knot in the shower drain. Getting hair out of your drain is not an easy task. It’s icky, slimy and smelly. Hair can also cause problems with water pressure if it accumulates in the pipe that leads to the main sewer line. Follow these tips to keep your drains clear of hair.

1. Use A Plunger

A plunger works by forcing water into the clog, pushing it down the drain. This can be effective for hair that has not yet formed a firm blockage in the pipe leading to the main sewer line.

2. Use A Drill With Plunger Attachment

A plunge isn’t always enough to remove all of the hair from your pipes. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on hair removal altogether. A shower drain snake can reach deep into a clogged pipe and pull out the hair.

3. Use Drain Hair Catcher

Drain hair catchers are installed in your shower drain to prevent hair from going down the pipes. The catcher is a small plastic cone that fits inside of the drain. Hair that has been washed from your body falls into it and can be removed when you have a chance to clean it. The cones are typically inexpensive and available at any major retailer that sells plumbing supplies.

4. Use A Drain Snake

A drain snake is a plumber’s best friend, or maybe even a furry pet owner’s best friend. A drain snake is a coiled wire with an auger at the end that rotates to clear out the hair in your pipes. You can attach it to a drill or use it by hand.

5. Use A Bleach Pour Down

Bleach has many uses, but cleaning drains is one of them. It’s not recommended to pour bleach down your drain regularly, but can be effective every couple months if you only use it in an emergency. Bleach should not be used on marble because it damages the finish.

6. Use A Clog Remover That Combines Baking Soda And Vinegar

There are several commercially available drain cleaners that combine vinegar and baking soda to break down the clog. The success of this method is relative to how bad your drain is clogged. Follow all instructions that come with your specific cleaner for best results.

7. Don’t Ignore The Problem

If you take no action, the hair will accumulate and form a solid blockage in your pipes. If you ignore the problem long enough, you may have to call in a plumber. The longer hair stays down your drain, the more damage it can do to the pipes. For example, if hair that has worked its way into your main sewer line accumulates significantly over time, you may have to replace portions of the pipe to correct the problem.