Although shower drains are not complicated, they are more than that centrally positioned hole at the bottom of the shower. Usually, the water falling over from the bathroom shower and down into the plumbing floor waste grates goes to the sewer system.

The drain is made in a way that it prevents the back up of the sewer gas into the shower. At the same time, the shower drain opening needs to be watertight so that water drains without seeping into the base of the shower area.

A look at the drain trap

The shower drainage systems feature piping with a trap as a significant component. The trap within the shower drain works directly like the one in the kitchen sink.  

The sink trap takes the letter P. Others take the letter S shape, which allows water to drain and clear through the curve instead of draining horizontally.

Usually, the shower’s bottom area tends to hold some water, which seals the drain on the sewer gases.

But, the bottom section of that trap can easily hold some debris and soap, which will eventually log the drain.

Venting

Anytime you are taking a shower, water flows into the drainage while creating a vacuum in the drainage. In turn, the vacuum can slow the water flow into the drainage.

For that reason, the drainage will end up vented to allow some water to flow into the surface freely. The venting will typically allow airflow through the drainage and when the shower drainage can be linked to the central vent.

Looking at the drainage seal as well as a shower base

If there is some water left in the surrounding, coupled with soapy films that may accumulate on it, the texture may become slippery. The base, therefore, needs to be made in a way that it slopes down into the drainage.

In many cases, the slope can be built into a fabricated shower base. But if you are willing to build a shower stand altogether, then you need to ensure that the shower base is private.

It would be best if you also sealed the strainer of the drain onto the base specifically to make sure that water does not seep into the base since this can damage the floor instantly.

Cleaning the shower drainer

In cases where the shower base is designed or made for any tile tower stall, then you may need to make good use of vinyl underlying the surface to seal the filter.  

In the long run, the shower might clog because of the hair that collects into the drain strainer. Hair garners, thereby trapping other debris.  

Because hair is clingy in nature, plunging the drain cannot clear these drains. So if you find it impossible to remove drainers from the strainers, you may not be able to make use of a drill as a viable alternative.

Here, you will need a product with some chemicals to cleanse the drainer. But these chemicals are not suitable for the pipes.

Final Thoughts

So the ideal way to keep the drain clear is by using an enzyme-based cleaner how you may ask- by pouring some of the cleaning compounds into the drainage regularly.