Symptoms
- Water rises around your feet while showering
- Drains completely, just slowly, after you're done
- Problem has gradually worsened
- Water seems to pool in one specific spot
Likely causes
- CommonClogged drain from hair and soap scumThe most frequent cause; buildup restricts flow through the drain opening and trap.
- PossibleShower floor not sloped correctly toward the drainIf the pan or tiled floor was installed without enough slope, water pools regardless of drain condition.
- PossibleSunken or settled area of the shower floorOver time, a spot in the floor can settle lower than the surrounding area, creating a low point.
- Less commonPartially blocked branch drain line further downA clog beyond the trap, deeper in the line, can slow drainage even after clearing the visible drain.
What to do
- Try clearing the visible drain first with a plastic drain tool to remove hair and debris.
- Run water and observe: if it now drains fully but still slowly, treat this as a standard slow-drain clog (see the slow shower drain guide).
- If water still pools even after clearing debris, check whether the pooling is always in the same spot, suggesting a low area in the floor.
- Use a level or place a marble on the dry shower floor at different spots to see if it rolls toward one area other than the drain.
- For a leveling issue in a tiled shower, this typically requires professional regrading of the mortar bed.
- For a fiberglass or acrylic pan, a persistent low spot usually means the pan needs replacement rather than repair.
- If drainage is fine but the pool disappears very slowly, consider a deeper snake of the branch line.
Tools and parts
- Plastic drain tool
- Level or marble (for testing)
Drain hair catcherSearch: “shower drain hair catcher”
When to call a pro
Call a plumber or tile contractor if the floor itself is unevenly sloped, since fixing that means redoing the shower base.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.