The Complete Guide to Cleaning Poop Out of a Shower Drain

Finding poop in your shower drain can be an extremely unpleasant and off-putting experience. But with the right approach and equipment, you can get it cleaned up quickly and safely.

This comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to know to clear even the most stubborn poop clogs from a shower drain. I‘ll share professional tips and step-by-step instructions to help you remove the clog, clean the drain, and deodorize the area around the shower.

Dangers of Raw Sewage Exposure

Before we dive into the how-to, it‘s important to understand the potential health risks that come with exposure to raw sewage. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), raw sewage can contain a wide range of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and intestinal parasites.

Contact with raw sewage can lead to typhoid, hepatitis, dysentery, cholera, cryptosporidiosis, polio, and more. The CDC recommends immediately washing any part of your body that comes in contact with raw sewage. Wearing protective equipment can help avoid direct exposure.

Supplies You‘ll Need

Cleaning a poopy shower drain requires the right tools for the job. Here‘s a list of supplies you‘ll want to have on hand:

• Drain snake/auger – for hooking and breaking up clogs
• Plunger – to loosen clog initially
• Gloves
• Face mask
• Goggles/eye protection
• Enzyme drain cleaner – to dissolve organic matter
• Baking soda – to deodorize
• White vinegar – to help break down waste
• Long-handled scrub brush
• Rags or towels

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed steps to get your shower drain cleaned and clog-free.

1. Remove the Drain Cover

If your shower has a drain cover, unscrew it and remove it before starting. This will give you much better access to the drain and clog. Be sure to have towels or rags ready to catch any overflow or splashing.

2. Loosen the Clog

Use a heavy-duty plunger to vigorously plunge the drain 10-15 times. This creates suction that can loosen or dislodge the clog.

If you have overflow holes, plug them with a wet rag so the force goes down the drain rather than escaping. Add some hot water before plunging to help soften the clog.

3. Flush with Boiling Water

Once plunged, pour a large pot of boiling water down the drain. This will help melt and flush away any debris that was loosened. Repeat 3-4 times.

4. Use a Drain Snake

For tougher clogs that don‘t budge, you‘ll need a drain snake or auger. Feed the snake end into the drain until you feel resistance. Turn the handle to dig into and break up the clog, then remove any debris hooked on the end.

Start with a hand crank snake and upgrade to a drill powered one for extreme clog cases.

5. Make a DIY Drain Cleaner

To break up poop and waste buildup, mix 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup white vinegar into a paste. Scoop it into the drain opening and let sit for 10-15 minutes. It will fizz and bubble, helping dissolve the clog.

6. Use an Enzyme Cleaner

Apply an enzyme cleaner made specifically to dissolve organic matter like poop, hair, and food waste. Look for one with bacteria cultures that will continuously digest and break down waste. Let it sit for up to 12 hours if needed.

7. Scrub the Drain

Use a long-handled scrub brush to thoroughly clean the drain. Make sure to scrub off any remaining traces of clog, poop, or buildup inside the pipe. Use an old toothbrush for tough to reach spots.

8. Flush with Boiling Water

Once scrubbed, flush the drain with boiling water again. Send down 2-3 pots full to wash away any remaining loose debris.

9. Disinfect with Bleach

To sanitize the drain and kill bacteria, pour 1/2 cup of bleach down the drain. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with hot water. An enzymatic cleaner can also be used to disinfect.

10. Deodorize with Baking Soda

To remove any lingering odors, send 1 cup of baking soda down the drain. Let sit for a few hours so it can fully absorb smells, then flush with hot water. Vinegar can also be used to deodorize.

11. Check for Damage

Remove any drain covers and inspect the pipe for any damage, cracks, or openings that could be causing a recurring clog. Check for leaks around plumbing fixtures as well. Call a plumber if you find any issues.

Unclogging a Bathtub Drain

If you have poop coming up in a bathtub drain, the process is very similar to a shower drain. Follow these steps:

• Plunge the drain with a toilet plunger to dislodge the clog
• Use a drain auger in the tub drain overflow hole
• Remove the drain cover and scrub with a wire brush
• Use baking soda/vinegar and boiling water to flush debris
• Disinfect and deodorize the overflow plate

Bathtub drains often clog from a buildup of hair and soap scum over time. Make sure to clean the drain thoroughly after unclogging.

Cleaning Poop Off Shower Surfaces

If you‘ve had an accident or spill that got poop on the shower floor, walls, or curtains, you‘ll want to thoroughly disinfect the area. Here‘s how:

Remove Solids

Use gloves, paper towels, and a disposable bag to remove any solid poop right away. Properly dispose of the waste.

Scrub Surfaces

Mix a multi-surface cleaner with warm water in a spray bottle. Spray down any affected areas and let sit 5 minutes. Use a scrub brush and scrub vigorously to remove stains or buildup.

Rinse thoroughly and repeat if needed. For textured surfaces like tile grout, use an old toothbrush to scrub into crevices.

Disinfect

Spray shower surfaces with a disinfectant cleaner and let sit 10 minutes before rinsing. Look for one made for bathrooms to kill bathroom bacteria.

Remove Stains

For any remaining stains on shower walls, make a baking soda and water paste. Apply to stains and let sit overnight. The next day, scrub with a sponge before rinsing.

Ventilate and Air Out

After cleaning, open windows to air out the bathroom for several hours. The ventilation will help remove odors. You can also place a bowl of vinegar in the room to help absorb smells.

Preventing Future Shower Clogs

To help prevent shower drains from clogging again, there are some simple habits you can adopt:

• Use a drain cover or screen to catch hair and debris before it washes down. Clean it often.
• Limit what goes down the drain – only human waste and toilet paper.
• Avoid using bath oils, bath bombs, and thick conditioners that leave residue behind.
• Once a month, flush the drain with hot water, baking soda, and vinegar.
• Every 6 months, have drains professionally cleaned/inspected.

Regular drain maintenance and using a drain cleaner product can also help reduce buildup over time.

When to Call a Plumber

If you‘ve tried the steps in this guide and still have a persistently clogged shower drain, it may be time to call in a professional plumber. They have high-powered tools like hydrojet drain cleaners to completely clear blockages.

Some signs it‘s time to call the pros:

• Water is overflowing from the drain rather than going down
• You can see sewage or waste coming up from other drains
• Unusual gurgling noises come from the shower drain
• A strong sewage odor comes from the drain area
• Your home has a septic tank that may be full

A plumber can not only unclog the blockage but also diagnose issues like pipe damage, leaks, or septic tank backups that may be causing the recurrent clogs. Tackling a poop clog yourself can save money, but know when it‘s time to bring in reinforcements!

The Takeaway

I hope this guide has given you everything you need to feel confident tackling that unpleasant poop clog in your shower drain. With the right equipment, some elbow grease, and proper precautions, you can dissolve the clog, remove waste, sanitize the drain, and prevent future problems.

Just remember to always put safety first and take measures to avoid direct contact with sewage. If you ever feel overwhelmed or can‘t resolve a persistent clogged drain, don‘t hesitate to call a professional plumber for assistance.