Table of Contents
Major types of sewer cables & drain snakes DRAIN TYPE PIPE SIZE RECOMMENDED CABLE SIZE BATHTUB 1-1/2″ — 2″ 1/4″ OR 5/16″ SHOWERS 2″ — 3″ 5/16″, 3/8″ OR 13/32″ FLOOR DRAIN 3″ OR MORE 3/8″, 13/32″, 1/2″, 5/8″, 3/4″ OR 0.55″ FLOOR DRAIN 4″ — 5″ 1/2″, 5/8″, 3/4″, 0.55″ OR 0.66″.
How do you pick a drain snake?
Because they are designed for the toughest of clogs, the cable should be no smaller than 5/8 inch in size, with a minimum length of 75 to 100 feet in length. This snake is designed to clean out drains that are 3 inches or larger, which typically includes clean outs to the street.
Can a drain snake break a pipe?
Drain Snakes Can Damage Pipes While billed as devices that are easy to use by anyone and everyone, drain snakes can be hard to manage, and if used improperly, can damage pipes. Old pipes in many homes are galvanized, or coated in zinc, which was done to prevent the pipe from rusting or corroding.
Is it safe to snake your own drain?
For smaller clogs, snaking your own drain is possible. Routine, minor sink clogs from hairballs or food remnants are typically located in the u-shaped trap directly below the sink or only a few feet deeper in the drainpipe. They may be cleared by using a light-gauge, hand-operated auger.
Are there different size drain snakes?
There are five main diameters for drain snakes, these are: 1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″, 1/2″ and 9/16″. Each size has a recommended range of drain pipe diameters they are suitable for. An easy way to classify and remember these is to separate them into small, medium, large and extra-large categories.
Can’t get the snake down the drain?
If you’re using a drain snake and it won’t go down the drain, don’t force it. Call a plumber near you. Wrong size drain snake – If the drain snake you’re using won’t fit down the drain, then you may be using the wrong kind of drain snake. For general drain clogs, a small drum auger will generally do the trick.
Is an auger the same as a snake?
Drain snakes work for smaller drains like your kitchen or bathroom sink. Drain augers tackle larger pipes like your toilet or shower drain. The snake covers lines from 1-1/4″ – 2″ range, and you’ll use an auger for lines in the 1-1/2″ – 3″ range.
Can a drain auger damage pipes?
If you have a clogged pipe, a drain snake is a simple and cheap tool you can use to fix it. These are advertised as devices that anyone can use to unclog a drain. But if used improperly, drain augers could make the clog worse. You could jam the obstruction in there tighter, or worse, do damage to your pipes.
Can you use a snake on PVC pipe?
PVC pipes are an improvement over cast-iron pipes, because they have smooth walls that don’t allow debris to cling, so if you have to clear a clogged drain deep in the pipe, you can usually do it with a plunger or drain snake.
How do you get a snake past the bend in the pipe?
The proper way to use a snake is to insert the head into the drain and push very slowly without cranking. If you try to force it, it can bend back on itself and actually come out of the drain. Push gently and slowly, and if the auger is the right one for the job, it should slide smoothly through the pipe.
Is it easy to snake a drain?
The equipment is easy to use, but ask the dealer for operating instructions. The basic process is as follows: Push the end of the snake into the drain opening and turn the handle on the drum that contains the coiled-up snake. The auger begins its journey down the drain.
Is Drano better than a snake?
Don’t use Draino or other liquid drain cleaner. The toxic chemicals are bad for your pipes, especially in old houses where they can’t withstand the acid. Which leads us to the snake; a long, flexible steel coil for dislodging stoppages in curved pipes.
Does snaking drain always work?
Snaking a clogged drain is usually an effective solution, but you still need to figure out why your drains keep clogging in order or you to stop the problem before it gets too big and expensive for you to handle.
What kind of snake do plumbers use?
A standard household drain snake, sometimes called a drum snake or top snake, is the smallest of the drain-clearing augers. It is primarily used for clogs in tubs, showers, bathroom sinks, washing machines, and sometimes kitchens sinks. Most have a 25- or 50-foot cable with a corkscrew tip for snagging debris.
How long is a plumbers snake?
A plumbing auger or plumbing snake is a long, flexible metal cable with a small, uncoiled spring on one end and a handle on the other. The auger head on the snake looks like a corkscrew. Home plumber’s snakes are usually around 50 feet long.
How do you remove a stuck snake from a bathtub drain?
Hold the handle of the drain snake to the side as you pour half a bottle of drain-cleaning gel down the drain, following this with the pots of boiling water. Wait 10 minutes, then turn the snake on, first in forward then reverse, to remove it from the softened blockage, which should disperse as the snake is removed.
What do you do when your drain snake doesn’t work?
If the auger still doesn`t work, call a plumber. If you can`t remove an obstruction in a sink drain by using an auger inserted into the drain, tackle the clog through the U-shaped trap under the sink.
