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It might be possible to dissolve hair caught in a drain, but it’s usually not a good way to go about clearing the clog. Some sources mention that baking soda and vinegar can do the trick, but this won’t actually dissolve the hair. The hydrochloric acid in drain cleaners can dissolve the hair over time, but it will much more quickly destroy your plumbing pipes and leave you with bigger issues. The best way to remove hair is to do it manually with a drain snake or to have a plumber use an auger to pull clogs out.

Inspect regularly for clogs, clean drain lines, and ensure grading directs water away from the foundation.

Snakes can occasionally enter homes through shower drains, although it’s quite rare. This can happen when they follow sewer pipes or accidentally find their way into plumbing systems. To minimize the risk, consider installing drain covers or stoppers on your shower drains. Always keep drains closed when they’re not in use, especially in areas where snakes are known to be active.

If your drain doesn’t have metal crosshairs or crossbars, you should use a tub drain extractor. These tools create a grip on the drain so you can turn it using a 1/2-inch ratchet drive, drain key, or wrench. Your drain may not have crosshairs if it's old and broken.