How to Get Rid of Standing Water in the Shower

March 31, 2026

Standing water in the shower is usually caused by a hair clog in the drain pipe. To fix it, remove the drain cover, pull out any visible hair with pliers or a drain snake, then flush with hot water. For stubborn clogs, use baking soda and vinegar. To prevent standing water from returning, install a drain hair catcher to stop hair from entering the pipe.

If you are standing in a puddle of water every time you shower, your drain has a blockage that is restricting water flow. In most cases, this is a hair clog that has been building over weeks or months. Hair clogs are the #1 cause of slow draining showers. Here is how to fix it and make sure it does not come back.

Quick Fix: Clear the Clog

Step 1: Remove the drain cover or stopper. Most shower covers unscrew or lift off. Bathtub stoppers vary by type but all can be removed by hand or with a simple twist.

Step 2: Look for and remove visible hair. Using needle-nose pliers, a bent wire hanger, or your gloved hand, reach into the drain and pull out the clog. This is the most immediately effective step.

Step 3: Flush with baking soda and vinegar. Pour half a cup of baking soda, then half a cup of vinegar into the drain. Wait 15 minutes, then flush with hot water for two minutes.

Step 4: Test the drain. Run the shower at full pressure and observe. The water should drain steadily without pooling. If it is still slow, repeat the process or try a drain snake.

Long-Term Fix: Prevent Future Standing Water

Clearing the clog solves today's problem, but without prevention, it will return within a few months. Installing a TubShroom (for bathtubs) or ShowerShroom (for stand-up showers) catches hair before it enters the pipe, stopping clogs from forming in the first place. This is a one-time purchase that eliminates the cycle of clog, clear, repeat.

Fix for $12.99 vs. $150-$300 plumber visit

When to Call a Plumber

If you have cleared the visible drain, used the baking soda and vinegar treatment, and tried a drain snake but water still pools, the blockage may be deeper in the plumbing system. This could indicate a problem in the main drain line, a damaged pipe, or a venting issue that requires professional diagnosis.