Table of Contents
How do you use a drain auger?
How to Use a Drain Auger Step One: Insert the Drain Auger. Grab your drain auger and insert the end of it into the drain or directly into your toilet. Step 2: Navigate The Drain Auger Towards The Clog. Crank the handle clockwise as you slowly push the drain snake into the toilet. Step Three: Pull the Drain Auger Out.
Can a drain snake make a clog worse?
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.
What is the difference between a snake and an auger?
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.
How do you unclog a drain if a 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.
How do you get a snake out of a drain trap?
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.
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.
How long of a drain auger do I need?
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.
Which drain auger do I need?
Major types of sewer cables & drain snakes DRAIN TYPE PIPE SIZE RECOMMENDED CABLE SIZE 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″ FLOOR DRAIN 6″ — 8″ 5/8″ (NON ROOTS), 3/4″ OR 0.66″.
How far should a drain be from a snake?
When to Snake a Drain Use a drain snake when your sink, shower, or tub drain is draining slowly or is not draining at all due to soft clogs located up to 15 to 25 feet down the line.
Can’t get snake past trap tub?
So, why won’t your drain snake go down the bathtub drain? The answer may be that you are either using the wrong kind of drain snake, or you are trying to force it through a P-trap, or you are forcing the snake cable through the pipe too quickly or the clog is just too darn big.
How do you unclog a stubborn drain?
Simply pour some hot water down your clogged drain and follow it up with equal parts baking soda and vinegar (baking soda first), cover the drain with a plug if you have one, let it sit for 20-30 minutes, then follow it up with more hot water to clear the clog.
What does a drain auger look like?
Drain augers are a long tool that looks like a snake. They can be fed down a drain or toilet to remove a blockage. Drain snakes have a rubber shield to protect drains and toilets from scratches, unlike most other snakes. This tool is excellent for bathroom drains including showers, bathtubs, and toilets.
What does a plumbing auger look like?
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. The cable coils up when you’re not using it.
Can a toilet auger be used on a sink?
If you’ve got a clogged toilet, opt for a toilet auger. They’re specifically designed to handle tough clogs in plumbing. You should only use a drain snake if an auger just isn’t an option. But if you’ve got a sink or bathtub clog, put the auger away.
How do you unclog a drain with standing water naturally?
Natural homemade cleaners can be just as effective as chemical ones on light clogs. Mix together 1 cup of vinegar (distilled white vinegar works best) and 1 cup of baking soda. First, pour boiling water down the drain to loosen; then follow with the baking soda-vinegar mixture and wait 15 minutes.
