Shower waste drain

[Les63]

Hi people. Just moved and downstairs shower is draining slowly. Almost certainly blocked by previous residents. My first reaction is to manually clear hair etc from the top, but I can't get the grid off. It's a plasticy thing with chrome coming off. Ideally I'd replace the whole trap but it's a downstairs shower with no access at all under the tray. Photo shows the plughole. How can I shift it without breaking it, and can I just replace the inner grid?

 

[CBW]

The grate should come off, try using a plastic toothbrush or something to lever it up, be careful though as it could snap. Yes it will be replaceable, if the manufacturer still exists as well as the trap, eg McAlpine.

 

[Les63]

Thanks Chris. I have tried to lever it up - it just bends but won't budge. It's very hard water here, maybe limescale remover??

 

[CBW]

Yes, limescale remover could work.

 

[Les63]

OK will give it a go!

 

[foxhole]

Try and find a replacement , then doesn’t matter if it snaps.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[CBW]

Try and find a replacement , then doesn’t matter if it snaps.

Amazon.co.uk

Not sure that would work. There are little outdents on OP’s photo.

 

[foxhole]

Not sure that would work. There are little outdents on OP’s photo.

I never said it would, but there are out dents (as you call them)on the one in the link , so may fit , easy enough to remove them if they prevent fitting .

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Unlikely for a shower waste to be blocked with limescale, chances are it's full of hair, soap and other crud. (Soap doesnt dissolve well in Hard Water.) Any idea where the other end goes to? If access available from there, may be possible to get a mechanical pipe cleaner up. Otherwise, try a Wet Vac from the tray end.

AVOID Chemical cleaners at all costs!

 

[CBW]

Unlikely for a shower waste to be blocked with limescale

We were talking about the grate being binded with Limescale

Thanks Chris. I have tried to lever it up - it just bends but won't budge. It's very hard water here, maybe limescale remover??

Yes, limescale remover could work.

 

[matlob]

This might be the one. May be worth buying it to see if the same and then it won't hurt if you break the old one and you'll know how it goes together.

Shower Trap Grid With 50mm Seal Chrome | Toolstation

Constructed from a tough polypropylene with compression outlets. Suitable for domestic repair, maintenance and improvement to shower waste outlets. Shower Trap with 70mm Flange, removable waste grid and a 50mm seal. • Quick and easy to fit • Requires no solvent welding • Patented design...

www.toolstation.com

 

[Les63]

Many thanks all. Limescale remover freed up the grate, but it still broke when I prised it up. Not the end of the world though. I've cleared most of the blockage, if there's more in the pipeline ( likely) will try the vac suggestion.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

We were talking about the grate being binded with Limescale

In my defence it was rather Hot when I wrote that.