How to clean a linear drain?

If you are considering installing a shower without a tray in your bathroom, but are worried about cleaning the linear drain, you will quickly find that this process doesn’t have to be complicated at all and you will certainly manage well. Unblocking the drain, contrary to appearances, is not much more difficult than any other shower drain.

What will you learn from this article?

Showers without trays equipped with a linear drain are characterized by modern and minimalist aesthetics, as well as high functionality. Regular maintenance is necessary to maintain proper operation. From this article you will learn:

• How to clean the drain in the shower cabin.

• What is the most effective agent for cleaning a linear drain.

• How to unclog a blocked linear drain.

Cleaning the bathroom is easy when you know what to do

Walk-in shower cabins, which do not have a tray, are a modern and aesthetic solution. They are functional and consist of a small number of structural elements. If the only reason why you do not want to choose this solution is the lack of knowledge on how to clean the shower drain, be sure to use our tips that will make this task easier for you. Also check opinions, pros and cons of walk-in shower cabins.

Cleaning the linear drain, contrary to appearances, is not a complicated task and does not require specialized equipment. It can be done very quickly using chemical agents for maintaining cleanliness in the household. There is no need to be afraid of unblocking the linear drain either - this process is also not overly complicated and does not always require purchasing professional tools or agents.

Thanks to the fact that the linear drain can be very easily cleaned, a bathroom with a walk-in shower is not only aesthetic and modern but also very comfortable and functional for everyday use. It's worth remembering that regular cleaning of the linear drain ensures that it operates without failure for many years.

What do you need to clean the siphon under the shower?

Perform all tasks related to cleaning the bathroom in rubber gloves to avoid direct contact of the skin with bacteria and chemical agents. Additionally, you must remove hair and other visible dirt from the siphon, and it will be much more pleasant to do this in gloves. Remember to do this regularly, as it is a hair-clogged linear drain that becomes blocked.

Do not perform the cleaning with sharp objects, only with a soft brush or cloth. Soak them in warm water, and you will easily conduct an initial cleaning of dirt from the drain and siphon. It is also worth using bathroom cleaning detergents with bactericidal properties. These will help eliminate unpleasant odors, most commonly present in the entire bathroom when it is dirty.

How to clean the linear drain step by step

Cleaning the linear drain, like all other bathroom elements, is best done regularly. The task is much easier if a large amount of dirt does not have time to accumulate in it. If you notice that the water in the shower starts to drain more slowly, it's a sign that it's time to clean.

1. Open the linear drain

Remove the drain cover with the help of a special hook included with the kit. You will easily lift the grate and not damage any of the components.

2. Wash the grate with warm water and detergent, then rinse under running water

Check if you have a grate made of stainless steel. This material is most often resistant to the action of chemical agents. Otherwise, it will be necessary to use home methods for cleaning the linear drain.

3. Clean the strainers and the siphon insert

The best siphons are made from strong ABS material and consist of components without hard-to-reach nooks. If you have one, you will easily conduct cleaning each time.

When you lift the drain grate, you will see strainers that are responsible for trapping dirt. Before proceeding with further cleaning, remove all hair and dirt. Then remove the wet siphon inserts. The siphon consists of two chambers where additional dirt accumulates that the grids could not catch. The siphon itself and all of its components should be rinsed under running water.

4. Wash the drain channel

To thoroughly clean the linear drain and eliminate all unpleasant odors, remember to also remove contaminants from the channel. Most often, impurities from shampoos, bath liquids, and other cosmetic products accumulate there. It is important to very thoroughly remove dirt and rinse the surface.

5. Assemble all parts of the linear drain

For the linear drain to work correctly again, each of its components must be correctly assembled. This will complete the regular drain cleaning without any unpleasant surprises.

How to unclog a linear drain?

Cleaning the linear drain in the shower must be done regularly, but unfortunately, this does not guarantee that you will avoid water retention in the shower. It only takes a moment of inattention for the linear drain to become clogged. Fortunately, unclogging it is not complicated.

Home methods for cleaning the drain — baking soda with vinegar

To unblock a linear-type drain, you can use home methods, such as baking soda with vinegar. Follow the following instructions:

1. Pour 3/4 cup of baking soda into the drain opening.

2. Add the same amount of vinegar.

3. Leave the mixture for a few hours.

4. Rinse the homemade solution with a lot of water.

The chemical process that results from the combination of baking soda and vinegar will remove accumulated dirt in the pipes. Thus, the drain will be effectively unclogged. If the task does not work out the first time, you can repeat it.

When choosing more natural home methods for unblocking the drain, it's worth wearing protective gloves and keeping a proper distance. The mixture of soda and vinegar will definitely fizz intensely, but it works well for cleaning linear drains.

Chemical detergents designed for unblocking pipes

Sometimes the dirt accumulated in the installation is so large that you cannot remove it using home methods. In this situation, there is no other choice but to turn to specialist chemical detergents designed for unblocking pipes. In this case, follow the instructions on the packaging and remember to take all precautions — these chemical agents can often be very corrosive and dangerous, so skin and eyes should be protected when using them.

Check other methods on how to unblock a linear drain.

Summary of rules on how to clean a linear drain in the shower

Regular cleaning of all linear drain components will certainly translate into significantly greater comfort during bathing and, above all, the durability of all components. Soap scum, dirt, and various types of contaminants that get trapped in the siphon or strainer need to be removed on an ongoing basis. This way you won't lead to a severe clogging of the drain.

The main rules you must follow are:

1. Systematically clean the drain with natural agents or specialized chemicals — this prevents dirt from accumulating in the drain and avoids a permanent blockage.

2. Regularly lift the drain cover — manually remove dirt accumulating in the strainer. Sometimes this needs to be done after every shower. It takes just a few moments and will maintain proper drainage in the bathroom for a very long time.

3. Act immediately when the water in the shower starts to drain slowly — you will definitely notice this, especially during a shower. If hot water begins to accumulate in the shower cabin, you could flood the bathroom because the seals will not hold out at some point.

4. Do not hesitate to use strong chemical agents if a serious blockage occurs in the linear drain — in this situation, the only option is to use specialized stronger means to unclog the installation. You won't then cause permanent damage. In the first stage of action, you can however use home methods.