Suggestions for removing soap scum from vertical shower drain


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Old 01-25-20, 06:48 AM
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Suggestions for removing soap scum from vertical shower drain

Any suggestions for removing caked on soap scum from a. Vertical shower drain? I’ve tried boiling water, baking soda/vinegar, drain, etc. several times with no luck. One of the issues is that the pipe is vertical. Nothing can sit long enough to have an impact.
 
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Old 01-25-20, 08:29 AM
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Can the cover on the drain cover come off?
 
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Old 01-25-20, 08:46 AM
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Is there a p-trap? How far down to the p-trap?

You can create a temporary plug in a p-trap with ice cubes and dry ice pellets.
Drop several the ice cubes down the drain into the p-trap. Then drop in a couple of dry ice pellets. This will create a temporary ice plug as the water freezes. Don't worry, since the p-trap is open at both ends, freezing will NOT split the drain pipe

Now pour in your baking-soda/vinegar or draino, and add cold water until it reaches the soap scum you want dissolved.


 
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Old 01-25-20, 08:59 AM
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Yes, I periodically remove to remove hair, etc. it’s a 4” stainless drain cover

the blockage is probably 6-8” from the top.
 
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Old 01-25-20, 09:33 AM
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I'd use an enzyme drain cleaner, just follow instructions. Here is one that can be found at HD, but my preference is Plumb Clean.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ZEP-64-o...C648/202056509
 
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Old 01-25-20, 09:46 AM
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I assume I’d still need to temporarily block the drain so this can penetrate the build up on the sides of the pipe?
 
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Old 01-25-20, 11:16 AM
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Take a rag.
Some knots in it may help hold it in place.
Then push it into the drain.
Then soak it in vinegar and leave it.
Every once in a while add more vinegar to keep it soaked.
Or do the same thing with the enzyme cleaner mentioned above.

Cut a coat hanger and straighten it out. Then use that to take the scum off.
Do it with the water running so that the small pieces you get are are flushed through the trap.
If you do it without the water running the chunks would collect in the trap and could cause a plug.

Just make sure that nothing can fall into the drain!!!!


 
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Old 01-25-20, 03:02 PM
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Might be overkill, but you can get an inflatable test plug. Drop it down into the drain and inflate. Then use whatever cleaner or whatever to clean the soap scum.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/CHERNE-2...0024/100123670
 
 

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