Shower drain pipe clearance method?

[braniff]

Its a plastic trap / waste in the shower tray from which I can take the lid off then a tube and cup out. Not sure what they're called. Leads into about 5 feet of 40 mm solvent-weld pipe to the soil stack, with a 45˚ bend in the middle.

I get the feeling this might be gradually sludging up, perhaps similar to that grey slurry I used to clean from my Granny's kitchen sink drain (although I don't smell anything). The installation is 10 years old and has never been cleaned as I've never felt the need.

No matter how clean the waste components are, it seems a bit slow to drain the shower tray.

Question is what tool to use. Would the spiral stainless steel coil with the winding handle be appropriate or is there some other method? There is of course the 90˚ outlet to negotiate in the waste but the bowl is about 60 mm dia. I suspect any chemical I use will just drain away (there is the proper fall on it).

Advice much appreciated. Many Thanks!

 

[Madrab]

Yes, get a worm down there (steel coil etc) and just rattle it back and forward with some hot water running down it should clear out most of the gunge that's built up.
That being said if it's got the correct fall on it over approx 1.5m then it really should be self cleaning, so not sure if there would be much to clear out, always worth a punt though.

 

[braniff]

Many Thanks Rob. I'll get a steel worm.

braniff

 

[just pumps]

PLEASE do not use chemicals.

 

[braniff]

Fear Not. I share your reluctance.

 

[braniff]

Postscript - I "rodded" the pipe with the flexible coil, which came out clean (although I had the water running at the time). No sign of any gunge, although the waste does drain faster now so I must have dislodged something. I then remembered I have a cheap smartphone endoscope. rather more difficult to get it in, but it did show some sort of discolouration in the pipe but no physical obstruction. I get the urge to fasten a piece of sponge to the coil next time.

Thanks again for advice.