You clean the drain cover, pull out a clump of hair, and watch the water disappear down the drain again. Problem solved, right? Not necessarily.
Many Tempe homeowners find themselves repeating this routine every few weeks. The shower starts draining slowly, they remove some hair, and it drains better. But then, shower clogs come back. After a while, you might just shrug it off and accept that you’ll have to clear the hair out regularly.
In most cases, however, a shower clogged with hair is only part of the problem, and without some maintenance, it’s going to keep being a nuisance.
Hair Gets Blamed for Every Shower Clog
Hair is easy to see, so a shower clogged with hair may look like an obvious problem. However, what you can see, and pull out of the drain, is just the surface. There’s often buildup in your pipes that’s causing the hair to get trapped.
The bigger culprit behind recurring shower clogs often starts with the water itself.
In Tempe, the water is classified as “very hard,” regularly exceeding 20 grains per gallon of dissolved calcium and magnesium. While safe to drink, these minerals flow through your pipes every day and leave little deposits inside. When these minerals react with soap, the real trouble starts. Soaps contain fatty acids that react with the minerals in hard water. Instead of washing away cleanly, they leave soap scum behind. Get enough buildup and showers get clogged with hair and other things.
Tiny hair strands that would normally wash away get trapped. Soap residue sticks to the hair. Body oils and skin cells latch on. More hair catches as the buildup grows. The blockage gets bigger and bigger until suddenly you’ve got a shower clog.
Unfortunately, we’ve got hard water all over Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria, and the rest of the Valley.
Other Hidden Causes of Recurring Shower Clogs
Hard water and soap scum are the most common reasons you get a shower clog, but there may be other reasons, too:
- Biofilm coating the inside of drain pipes
- Partial blockages farther down the drain line
- Improper drain slope that slows water movement
- Older pipes with rough or deteriorating interior surfaces
So, you might think hair is causing the recurring clog when there’s an underlying condition that’s the actual culprit.
Signs Your Shower Clog Is a Bigger Plumbing Problem
If you need to remove hair frequently, there’s likely buildup that needs to be addressed. Other warning signs include:
| Sign | What It Could Mean |
| Water pools around your feet during a shower | A partial blockage is restricting water flow and preventing the drain from keeping up with normal use. |
| The drain makes gurgling sounds | Air may be trapped behind a developing blockage, creating unusual noises as water moves through the drain line. |
| Other drains in the home are slowing down | When multiple fixtures drain slowly, the problem may extend beyond the shower and involve a larger section of the plumbing system. |
| Unpleasant odors are coming from the drain | Organic buildup, soap residue, and trapped debris can begin to decompose inside the pipe, creating persistent bathroom odors. |
| Drain cleaners only provide temporary relief | If the clog quickly returns after treatment, buildup or a deeper blockage is likely still present in the pipe. |
How Plumbers Eliminate the Root Cause
When shower clogs keep returning, you need to find the real cause. Professional drain cleaning can clear years of accumulated soap scum, debris, and buildup that you can’t reach with basic drain tools or clear with chemical drain cleaners.
In some situations, plumbers may recommend a camera inspection to find the true cause and its location. For severe buildup, hydro jetting may be appropriate, using high-pressure water to scour the inside of your drain pipe.
For recurring shower clogs, slow drains, and professional drain cleaning, George Brazil’s experienced plumbers can identify what’s really causing the blockage and restore proper drainage throughout your plumbing system. We’ve been serving the Phoenix area for more than 35 years and offer honest, transparent pricing, and that’s just one reason we have more than 2,800 five-star reviews. Our highly trained team of professionals can solve your shower clog problems.
Schedule same-day drain cleaning service today with George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical. We can clear the toughest clogs quickly and effectively to keep your water flowing.