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Can you use a snake to unclog a tub drain?
Luckily, it’s not difficult to snake a tub drain. To clear a clogged bathtub drain, you’ll need a plumbing snake, some work gloves and some basic cleaning supplies. Be sure to put the screws where they won’t fall into the tub drain, then pull the stopper from the drain, which should be connected to the overflow plate.
How do you snake a bathtub?
Instructions Protect Your Tub. Cover the bottom of the tub with a thick drop cloth before you begin any work. Remove the Overflow Plate. To snake your bathtub drain you will first need to remove the overflow plate to the tub. Feed the Snake. Snake the Drain. Extract the Snake.
Can’t get the snake down the drain?
Too much force – When you’re trying to dislodge a blockage, it can be tempting to try and force a snake cable through the drain too fast. If you force it, sometimes the cable can bend back on itself or kink. Instead of forcing the cable, extend the snake cable a few inches at a time until you reach the clog.
Can I snake my 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.
How do you snake a bathtub drain without a snake?
Put in your drain stopper, turn on the hot water and let it pool in the sink. Add one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar to the water and remove the stopper. The hot water, baking soda, and vinegar will flow down the pipes and help eliminate minor clogs.
How do you get a snake past the tub P-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.
How do you get a snake out of the shower drain?
Insert the Drain Snake Wearing rubber gloves, run the cable on a small drain snake down into the drain opening until it meets resistance. Tighten the cable clamp, then begin to rotate the handle slowly to spin the cable in the drain opening. The cable should begin to auger itself down further into the drain.
Can snaking a drain make it 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.
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 do you make a homemade drain snake?
You can also make your own drain snake at home with a pipe cleaner or a wire hanger. Cut a 2-liter bottle into a spiral with “teeth” in it, which is a very effective and cheap alternative to store bought drain snakes. Wet and dry vacuums are powerful appliances with a lot of suction.
How do I snake my main sewer line?
How to clear a main sewer line clog Step 1: Loosen the cap on the drain pipe. Loosen the cap on the drain pipe. Step 3: Feed the auger cable into the drain pipe. Step 4: Run the auger until the clog is clear—and beyond. Step 5: Hose down the pipe and auger cable. Step 6: Slowly pull the auger back out of the pipe.
How do you unblock a slow draining bathtub?
Using Baking Soda and Vinegar Pour a small amount (perhaps half a cup) of baking soda down the drain. Let it sit there for a couple of minutes. Follow it up with a cup of white vinegar and a little more hot water. Leave for 5-10 minutes.
What will dissolve hair in a drain?
Combining baking soda and vinegar is a natural way to dissolve hair clogs, without resorting to harsh chemicals. Pour a cup of baking soda down the clogged drain first, and then after a few minutes add a cup of vinegar.
Why is my drain still clogged?
Most bathroom drain clogs result when dirt, skin flakes, and especially hair binds to soap scum on the walls of drain pipes. Over time, this gunk accumulates and reduces water flow. Troubleshooting: Remove and clean the drain stopper. If that doesn’t work, remove the drain elbow joint and clean it out.
Can a snake come up a shower drain?
Can snakes come up drain pipes? Yes, they can, though it isn’t common. While snakes are good swimmers and can hold their breath for a long time, they don’t often infiltrate your home via the pipes.
Can you snake 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.
What is the best tool to unclog a tub drain?
Removing hair collected around a pop-up stopper or strainer clears one common clog in the bathroom. A drain stick is effective at clearing clogs in a P-trap or S-trap caused by hair. A plunger can clear a clog if the blockage isn’t too far into the pipes.
