In this guide we’ll walk you through exactly how to use a drain auger to unclog a shower drain (the same technique works for bathroom sinks and tubs).
Ever notice your shower draining slowly or not at all? That’s where a drain auger (also called a drain snake) comes in.
You’ll learn why augers are so effective, which type to use, the tools you need, and each step of the process – plus tips to prevent clogs from coming back.
What Is a Drain Auger, and Which Type to Use?
A drain auger (or “plumbing snake”) is simply a sturdy wire cable with a hooked or coiled end that you feed into a drain to clear blockages.
As Home Depot explains, “the most basic description of an auger is a metal wire or cable that is pushed into a drain pipe to dislodge, break up or remove a clog”.
You rotate the handle to wind the cable deeper and catch hair or debris, then pull the junk back out or grind it up.
There are a few types of drain augers, but for a home shower the simplest handheld auger is usually best. A manual crank auger is lightweight and inexpensive, with about a ¼-inch-diameter spring cable roughly 15–25 feet long.
This size fits common 1¼–1½-inch shower pipes. (Indeed, plumbers note that a ¼-inch cable is “typically” used for a 1¼″–1½″ shower drain).
Most hand-crank snakes have a looped handle or drill-shank so you can either crank by hand or attach a power drill for extra force. Some of these even come with battery power options that auto-feed the cable.
Heavier powered augers (like electric drum machines) exist but are overkill for a household shower. Those are large, motorized units with very long cables meant for main sewer lines.
For a stuck shower drain, a simple manual or small cordless auger is easier to handle and safe for your plumbing. In short, look for a compact ¼″ cable drain snake (hand-crank or drill-driven) when shopping for the best auger for shower drains.
Tools and Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather everything you’ll need. Having the right tools makes this a quick DIY job rather than a marathon drain ordeal. Here’s what to have on hand:
Drain auger (plumber’s snake) – A ¼″-diameter cable snake about 15–25 feet long (hand-crank or drill-drive model). This is the main tool you’ll use.
Protective gloves and goggles – Rubber gloves protect your hands from grime and goggles protect your eyes.
Screwdriver or drill – To remove the shower drain cover (or pop-up stopper). Many grates are held by a single screw or friction fit.
Bucket and rags – To catch water or debris and to clean up afterwards. Expect some gunk to come out of the drain.
Old towels or trash bag – Lay down towels on the shower floor to catch any drips and keep things tidy.
Flashlight – To inspect the drain opening and ensure you’re feeding the auger correctly.
Hair-catching tool (optional) – A zip-it tool or wire hook can help fish out hair if needed.
Plunger (optional) – A plunger can sometimes help loosen soft clogs before snaking, but isn’t required if you have an auger.
With these in place, you’re ready to tackle the clog. Remember to remove any standing water first (bail it out or vacuum it) so you can see the drain opening clearly.
Step-by-Step: Using the Auger to Clear the Clog
Remove the drain cover or stopper. Most shower drains have a metal or plastic grate held by screws or a catch. Use your screwdriver to remove any screws, then lift out the drain cover (and clean off any hair or debris on it). This is important: drain snakes will pull up tons of gunk, and you won’t be able to clean it out through the holes of the grate. By removing the cover first, you give the snake full access to the drain.
Put on gloves and prepare the auger. Wear heavy rubber gloves (and eye protection if you’d like). Unwind a few feet of cable and hold the auger’s hand crank (or attach it to a drill). Insert the auger cable end straight down into the drain. Push slowly until you feel resistance – that resistance is the clog or a pipe bend. Don’t force it past resistance immediately.
Rotate and feed the cable. Tighten the cable’s locking collar (on a hand-crank model) to keep the cable extended a bit, then begin rotating the handle (or pulling the drill trigger) to turn the cable. This spinning action lets the snake “auger” deeper into the pipe. Push in more cable a few inches, and rotate again. Keep going slowly – if the cable kinks or doubles back on itself, stop and straighten it out.
Work through the clog. As you rotate, the cable’s tip will eventually hit the clog. You may feel it slow or stop. When that happens, keep turning the handle firmly. The cable’s coiled tip is designed to snag hair and break up blockages. Twist and push gently to pierce or entangle the clog. You might need to retract a bit and push forward again multiple times. This “drilling” action breaks the clog apart or hooks it. Once you feel the resistance lessen, you’ve probably broken through.
Test the drain. After rotating for a minute or so, run a thin stream of water into the drain. If it starts to flow freely, you’ve cleared the clog. If water still backs up, repeat the augering (push more cable in and spin) to ensure you’ve fully broken the clog. Sometimes flushing with water a couple of times during the process helps confirm progress.
Pull out the snake. Once the clog is cleared or loosened, reverse the cable rotation and slowly extract the snake from the drain. As you pull the cable out, it will likely bring up a wad of hair and gunk. Clean this debris off the end of the snake with paper towels or pull it out and toss it in the trash. Wipe down the cable and your tools to keep them rust-free.
Reassemble and finish. With the cable and debris removed, flush the drain again with hot water to wash away any remaining bits. If all is clear, replace the drain cover and screws. Clear up your work area. Congratulations – your shower drain should now drain smoothly!
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Troubleshooting Tips
Cable won’t go down: Double-check you removed the drain cover properly. Some bathtub drains have a lift rod or stopper; remove that first. If the auger still snags immediately, it might be hitting the pipe’s U-bend. Slowly rotate and jiggle – you may have to work around the curve bit by bit.
Cable kinks or tangles: As noted above, if you feel the cable twisting on itself, stop cranking. Reverse the handle a few turns to untwist the cable, then resume. Feeding only a short length of cable at a time can also prevent excessive kinking.
Clog not budging: If the cable won’t penetrate, try using a more forceful motion (if manual) or attach a drill if possible. You can also switch from slow cranking to a couple of brisk back-and-forth spins. Sometimes hooking the clog and pulling it back out is needed. If the drain remains blocked after several attempts, the clog may be deep or exceptionally tough, and you may need a longer cable or to call a plumber.
Water still drains slowly: Even if water flows, there could be residual debris. Consider snaking once more or using a drain-cleaning brush/hair catcher to pull out any remaining strands near the top of the trap. (Often shower clogs hide in the immediate trap area.)
Safety note: Never force the auger with excessive speed or torque, as it could damage the pipe or break the snake. If things are not improving, stop and assess.
Tips for Preventing Future Clogs
Here is a clog prevention quick list, but please read our long detailed post about it for the best methods.
Use a hair catcher. The single best prevention is to catch hair before it goes down the drain. Install a simple mesh strainer or stopper screen in the shower drain and empty it regularly. This can prevent most hair clogs from ever forming.
Clean regularly. If you notice the drain slowing, snake it out as a quick maintenance job. It’s far easier to clear minor buildup than a full blockage. Home Depot notes that household drains usually show signs of slowing before fully clogging, so tackle it early.
Watch what goes down the drain. Avoid washing large soap scum buildup by using liquid soaps (which rinse cleaner than bar soap) and flushing the drain with hot water occasionally. Don’t put greasy, sticky items or kitchen waste down a bathroom drain. Also, don’t flush flushable wipes or sanitary products in the tub or sink. Anything not water-soluble will accumulate in time.
Routine flushing. Every few months, pour a bucket of boiling water (if your pipes are metal) or a baking-soda & vinegar mixture down the shower drain to dissolve light scum. This keeps pipes clearer and slows buildup.
Conclusion
You might be surprised how satisfying it is to clear a drain clog yourself. Using a drain auger may seem a bit intimidating at first, but it’s really just a matter of feeding, turning, and pulling out the clog – a task most DIYers can handle with minimal effort.
After following these steps, your shower should drain like normal again. And remember, the same snaking technique works on sinks and tubs too – just choose the right cable size for the pipe.
However, if you’ve tried snaking and the drain is still stubbornly blocked (or if you feel uncomfortable at any point), don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber. Plumbing experts can tackle deep or tricky clogs with specialized equipment. But for many common bathroom clogs, a simple drain auger and a bit of elbow grease can save you time and money.
Happy unclogging!
