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Square Shower Drains | Flooring Supply Shop Blog

How to clean a Shower Drain?

Maintaining a spotless shower drain is vital for preventing clogs and ensuring your bathroom remains a clean, inviting space. At the Flooring Supply Shop, we specialize in providing high-quality products like the quartz linear shower drain with brushed stainless-tile insert and many more products designed to facilitate easy and effective cleaning. Incorporating key maintenance steps and the right products, such as drain plugs and drain cleaners, can significantly simplify the task of cleaning your shower. Here’s how you can achieve a pristine shower drain using our expert advice.

How to Clean Your Shower Drain: A Guide from Flooring Supply Shop

silver quartz linear

Step 1: Preparation is Key

Starting your mission to unclog that pesky shower drain? First off, do you have the right toolkit at hand? Picture this: you, geared up with protective gloves to shield your hands from anything yucky or harmful. Got them? Great! Now, how about a screwdriver? You might need one to tackle the shower drain cover. If it’s something like the Quartz Linear Shower Drain Brushed Stainless – Tile Insert 28, you’re in luck because it’s made for hassle-free access.

But what about the stubborn clogs lurking beneath? That’s where a trusty plunger and a drain snake come into play, ready to dive deep and wrestle those clogs into submission. And let’s not forget our trio of cleanliness: white vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water. These aren’t just for your kitchen; they’re your chemical cleaning squad for blasting through blockages.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry! Flooring Supply Shop has got your back with shower drainage kits that bundle everything you need. Why juggle tools when you can get it all in one go? So, ready to turn this clogged drain adventure into a victory story?

Remove the Shower Drain and Wash it

Step 2: Remove the Drain Cover

Gaining access to the clog involves removing the shower drain cover, which may be secured with screws. The design of our Quartz Linear Shower Drain facilitates easy removal, ensuring that you can get to the task without fuss. Ensure the area around the drain is clean to avoid any slipping hazards as you work.

Water and Bubbles on the floor

Step 3: Eliminate Visible Debris

With the cover off, it’s time to address the visible debris clogging your drain. Hair and soap scum are often the main offenders. Don protective gloves and use a bent wire hanger or a drain snake to extract these materials carefully. This manual removal is crucial for alleviating immediate blockage and allowing any liquid solutions to penetrate deeper into the drain.

Silver Shower Drain

Step 4: Boil Water for a Hot Water Flush

Boiling a kettle of water and pouring it down the drain serves as an initial effort to melt away grease or soap that’s lining the pipes. This step is simple but effective, utilizing the natural solvent power of hot water to start the unclogging process and pave the way for more intensive cleaning.

Baking soda as shower drain cleaner

Step 5: Deploy the Baking Soda and Vinegar Mixture

Introduce a cup of baking soda directly into the drain, followed by an equal measure of white vinegar. The reaction between these two household ingredients produces a vigorous fizzing action, helping to dislodge any residual debris clinging to the pipes. Allow this mixture to sit for about 10 minutes, giving it ample time to break down the blockages.

Step 6: Final Flush with Boiling Water

Following the chemical reaction, another round of boiling water acts as a thorough rinse. Pour it carefully down the drain to wash away the loosened debris and cleaning solution. This step is critical for ensuring that the clog is completely cleared and that water can flow freely once again.

Bamboo Teak Shower

Step 7: Proactive Prevention

Preventing future clogs is just as important as clearing the existing ones. A simple yet effective measure is to install a drain plug that catches hair and other potential clog-causing debris before they enter the drain. Regular maintenance, including periodic cleaning with the above steps, will keep your shower drain functioning properly and reduce the likelihood of slow draining or the need for professional plumbing services.

Bronze Shower Drain

How To Easily Unclog a Clogged Shower Drain?

Unclogging a clogged shower drain can often be done with simple household items, avoiding the immediate need to call a plumber. Start by removing the shower drain cover, which may require unscrewing or simply lifting off, to access the drain. Once open, visually inspect for any visible debris, such as hair or soap scum, that can be manually removed. Wear gloves, and use a bent wire hanger or a small drain snake to fish out the blockage. This can be surprisingly effective at removing the bulk of the clog.

Next, prepare a natural but powerful solution by pouring a cup of baking soda directly down the drain, followed by an equal amount of white vinegar. The mixture will fizz and bubble, working to dissolve any remaining grease or buildup. Allow this reaction to work for about 10-15 minutes, then flush the drain with boiling water. The hot water helps to rinse away the loosened debris and any residual cleaning solution, often clearing the clog completely.

For persistent or recurrent clogs, repeating the process or using a plunger to apply pressure and dislodge the blockage might be necessary. If these steps don’t resolve the issue, it may be time to call a professional plumber to assess and fix the problem.

Styled Silver Shower Drain

How To Keep Your Shower Drains Clean?

Keeping your shower drain clean is essential for preventing clogs and ensuring the water flows freely, which helps maintain a hygienic and pleasant bathroom environment. Here are effective steps to keep your shower drain clean:

1. Regular Flushing with Hot Water

Flush your shower drain with hot water once a week to prevent clogs caused by soap residue and oils. The heat can dissolve minor accumulations before they become bigger issues.

2. Baking Soda and Vinegar Routine

To maintain cleanliness and clear minor blockages in your drain, use a natural cleaning solution of baking soda and vinegar every month. Pour half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain to keep the reaction contained and wait for 10-15 minutes. Then, flush the drain with boiling water to clear out the loosened debris.

3. Use a Hair Catcher

A significant cause of shower drain clogs is hair. Installing a hair catcher over the drain can capture hair and other debris before they enter the drain. Clean the catcher regularly to ensure it continues to protect your drain effectively.

4. Clean the Drain Cover Regularly

Clean your shower drain cover monthly with a brush and mild cleaning solution to prevent blockages and odors. This also helps you visually inspect the drain for any problems.

5. Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners can damage plumbing over time due to their harsh chemicals, which can corrode pipes. Natural alternatives, like baking soda and vinegar, are safer.

6. Professional Inspection

It might be time for a professional inspection if you notice slow draining despite regular maintenance. Plumbers can identify and resolve deeper issues that are inaccessible or easily fixed with home remedies.

7. Educate Household Members

Teach your household to avoid putting excessive soap bits, hair, and small objects down the shower drain. This reduces the risk of clogs.

The Best Drainage Options for New Construction Projects

Serene Invisible Slim Design Linear Drains

When it comes to construction projects a lot of things go overlooked until they are a problem or the primary focus of the project. Drains are no exception. When is the last time you thought about the drains at your own home? Let’s face it probably never. However, this doesn’t mean that the various drainage options available to install during a new construction project should receive any attention. 

The primary task of a drain is to control the flow of water and elevate pools that may form in areas where water is common. On a construction project, drains may be used in kitchens and bathrooms where sinks and showers are commonplace and in landscaping efforts where pools, koi ponds, and sprinklers may produce excess water. Below the three best drainage options commonly used on new construction projects are discussed and explored.

Traditional Drains

Traditionally drains were quite standard. Typically, your standard drain utilizes curbs or another type of barrier to separate wet and dry areas. These barriers work alongside a primitive style drain. These drains are great in showers, sinks, and bathtubs where curbs and other barriers are present. However, for several reasons, it is more and more common for showers these days to lake curbs or another type of barrier. These barriers make getting in and out of the shower more difficult, and sometimes individuals with mobility issues are not able to utilize a shower with a curb. When working on a construction project where a curb or basin less shower is being installed, a traditional drain just won’t cut it. 

SereneDrains Broken Lane Design Linear Drains Satin Gold

Linear Drains

If you are on a construction site where you are installing a curbless shower or another barrier-free element that requires a drain, then you may want to look into installing a linear drain. Unlike traditional drains, a linear drain possesses a shallow channel and less invasive design that will allow you to lower the floor height around the shower or other elements. Linear drains are also a great drain option that is compatible with a slew of modern tanking techniques. Tanking, or waterproofing a bathroom or other element, is done differently across the United States. In most areas, rubber liners are the most common. However, in some regions copper and additional styles of liners are utilized to meet style and aesthetic standards. A linear drain is compatible with most PVC, rubber, copper, and other modern tanking techniques.

Pre-sloped Trench Drains 

In order for in-floor drain systems to work, the floor has to be slightly sloped. Unlike traditional in-floor drains, a pre sloped trench drain does not require standard four-sloped floors to be installed. Compatible with two-sloped floors, a pre-sloped trench drain is a great choice to minimize the different levels a floor of a property possesses. In addition, a pre-sloped trench drain is easier to install than a standard floor drain and requires virtually no additional maintenance after installation. If you are looking to install an in-floor drain in your newest construction project you will probably want to go with a pre-sloped trench drain!

Right Drain For Your Project

All types and styles of drains that are currently on the market were created for a reason. A certain drain may be designed to perform better in a particular situation or when installed for use on a certain project. However, the best way to find the right drain for your current project is to do some research on the various different drains on the market. A traditional drain may be perfect for your new sink installation, but that new walk-in shower may require a linear drain.

Skylar Ross is a contributor to the Innovative Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Skylar is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.

Copyright © 2020 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Modern Shower Drains For Your Home’s Bathroom

SereneDrains Shower Drains

Bathroom remodels are one of the more popular and exciting renovations that a homeowner can undertake. Creating that beautiful walk-in shower; elegant, two-person vanity; and luxurious tile floor is the subject of many homeowners’ fantasies.

However, despite the enthusiasm with which many people approach most bathroom remodeling projects, one of the most important aspects of a quality bathroom often gets overlooked: the shower drain.

A good shower drain will serve a variety of purposes, including the following:

  • Provide a complementary aspect to the overall decor of your bathroom
  • Prevent any puddling in the shower bed that can lead to unsightly residue
  • Effectively catch any debris that may lead to plumbing issues

To this effect, not all shower drains are created equal. While there are a number of solid options available on the market, the Serene Drains offered by the Flooring Supply Shop offer industry-leading features in their modern drain products.

Serene Square Drains

SereneDrains Tile Inseret Shower Drains

Serene Square Drains are a type of point drain, which is generally the most common type of drain found in residential showers.

For those showers using a point drain system, the shower floor is designed into a sort of funnel, in which the floor is gently sloped from the outside into a “point” in the center of the shower, where the drain then allows the used water to flow from the shower and into the pipe system.

When looking through the Serene Square Drain catalog, there are a few important points to consider when choosing a point drain system:

  • Point drains are typically the most economical drain choice, making them a strong option for modest bathroom and shower designs or sizes
  • When using this type of drain, smaller floor tiles must be used on your shower bed in order to create the funnel-like effect that is characteristic of a point drain
  • If a Serene Square Drain is chosen, you will likely want to use square tiles on your shower floor as well. It is a bit awkward to combine a square drain with flooring tile of different shapes

Serene Linear Shower Drains

SereneDrains Linear Shower Drains

Although not quite as popular as point shower drains, linear shower drains are becoming an increasingly trendy choice in home showers.

Unlike a point drain system that slopes gently toward the center, a linear drain system slopes gently toward a specified edge of the shower, where the water escapes via a long, straight, bar-like drain.

If a Serene Linear Shower Drain piques your interest, consider the following points:

  • Linear shower drains range in size from as short as 16 inches to as long as 60 inches. They can also be fabricated in a dual drain structure. As such, linear drains tend to be a bit more expensive than point drains
  • Because they are located on the side of the shower, linear drains can be used with large, single-piece flooring tiles, making for a smoother transition between the shower floor and bathroom floor
  • Linear shower drains are becoming a preferred option in luxury bathroom remodels

Decorative Drains vs. Invisible Drains

Thanks to the industry-leading features offered when choosing Serene Drains, homeowners can decide if they want their shower drain to be used for decorative purposes or be largely invisible.

For bathrooms that have an industrial feel, with exposed pipes and prominent fixtures, it would be recommended to feature your shower drain as an important piece of this ambiance.

On the other hand, modern bathrooms that want their quartz countertops and luxury tile to take center stage may prefer a hidden shower drain, with tileable grates over the drain offering an aspect that is very hard to distinguish from the shower floor itself.

Conclusion

Although it may not be the first point that comes to mind when speaking of a bathroom remodel, choosing the appropriate shower drain is an important component in making your bathroom complete. Whether you want a point, linear, decorative, or invisible drain, the Serene Drain options offered by Flooring Supply Shop have a sleek and modern option sure to meet your needs.

Skylar Ross is a contributor to Innovative Building Materials. He is a blogger and content writer for the residential and commercial flooring industry. Skylar is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and manufacturers discover materials and methods of installation that increase property value, improve durability, and discover innovative flooring options for their home or commercial space.

Copyright © 2020 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Square Shower Drains | Flooring Supply Shop Blog