billyGO’s Guide to Preventing Hair Clogs in Your Shower
As a plumber serving Southlake, Grapevine and DFW families for years, I can tell you that hair clogs are the number one drain problem we see. In fact, about 80 percent of our drain calls are hair-related! But here's the good news: with some simple prevention steps, you can keep your drains running smoothly and avoid those emergency plumbing calls.
For more detailed information along with recommendations, click here.
Why Hair Clogs Are Such a Big Problem in North Texas
If you live in the DFW area, you know all about hard water. When it mixes with soap, coconut oils, bath bombs, and other bath products it creates a sticky residue inside your pipes that traps hair. Before you know it, you're standing in an inch of water during your morning shower.
Simple Solutions That Help Prevent Hair Clogs
After years of helping local families with this issue, here are some of the most effective ways to prevent hair clogs:
1. Get a Quality Drain Trap
Install a good drain trap like the TubShroom (around $15). It catches hair before it enters your pipes and prevents up to 99 percent of hair clogs when used properly. Just remember to clean it regularly!
2. Easy Daily Habits
Brush your hair before showering to remove loose strands. During your shower, stick any loose hair to the shower wall and toss it in the trash when you're done. It might seem silly, but it works! If you don’t like seeing hair on the side of your shower walls, here is a link to a silicone hair catcher to hide loose hair.
For those with curly hair (as my daughters have taught me), try detangling your hair when it's wet but before you start your shower routine. This prevents damage to your hair and keeps it from going down the drain.
3. Monthly Natural Drain Maintenance
Use a natural enzyme-based cleaner monthly. These cleaners, like BioOne, work with natural bacteria to break down buildup without damaging your pipes. Avoid DIY solutions like baking soda and vinegar or pouring boiling water down your drains. These could damage your plumbing and cause bigger issues.
4. Consider a Water Softener
Given our hard water situation in North Texas, a whole-home water filtration and softener system can make a huge difference. While it's a bigger investment upfront, it protects ALL your home's plumbing, fixtures, appliances and usually pays for itself within a few years.
A Note From billyGO
Living in North Texas means dealing with some of the hardest water in the country. This makes our area especially prone to buildup that catches hair. Regular maintenance is even more important here than in other parts of the country.
If you're already dealing with slow drains or want professional advice about preventing clogs, visit billyGO.com to learn more about our services or schedule a drain cleaning. We're always happy to help our neighbors in Southlake, Grapevine and the surrounding communities keep their plumbing running smoothly.
