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It works by: The snake moves forward until it reaches the blockage in the line. When the snake encounters the obstruction, the twisting motion of the auger end attaches onto any clogs so they can be pulled back out of the drain.
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.
How does a snake work to unclog a drain?
Plumber’s snakes work by entering the drain directly to physically contact and then clear away the obstruction causing the clog. You manually insert the auger head into the drain and then begin uncoiling it by rotating the handle.
Are drain snakes effective?
Most drain snakes have a small crank that’s turned by hand to advance and retract the cable. These manual drain snakes are good for occasional use around the house to unclog simple blockages in the kitchen or bathroom sink, tub, or toilet.
Can snaking a drain damage pipes?
When a drain snake is inserted into a pipe, the end may flop around, scratching the pipe. A drain snake used with too much force being can scratch a zinc pipe and damage the coating. This can lead to cracks or rusting in the pipes opening the door to a major problem in the future.
Can a drain snake break a PVC pipe?
If the bottom of the pipe or fittings are missing this can cause the snake to catch and break the pipe. It can also cause the equipment to get stuck. Broken PVC pipe is another issue with drains. If PVC is installed correctly there is usually no issues.
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. Set a bucket under the trap.
How do you snake a 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 drain snake past a 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 you snake a shower drain?
Shower drains can easily be clogged with hair and other debris, but fortunately, they are among the easiest fixtures to clear using a drain snake. Sink and bathtub drains often require that you disassemble the drain trap in order to snake out the clog.
How often should you snake your drain?
If your drains are clogging every month, it’s wise to get them cleaned right away. As for maintenance, we recommend cleaning them every two years, but we may suggest more frequent cleanings if you have a large household and use the sinks a lot.
Can Drano damage pipes?
Drano® will not damage pipes or plumbing. Drano® products are powerful enough to dissolve nasty clogs, but they will not harm your plastic or metal pipes, so there’s no need to worry. Sulfuric acid is slightly less damaging to metal plumbing but can still damage aluminum, stainless steel and porcelain.
How long does it take to snake a drain?
How Long Does It Take To Snake A Drain? Plumbers take about five minutes to snake a drain for clogs located near the tub, toilet, or sink. Main line sewer clogs can take hours to snake, depending on the length and number of pipes affected.
Can you snake a toilet with a drain snake?
A drain snake is a long, retractable metal cable that you wind down into a drain to either grab the material causing the clog, or force it through. A toilet snake is a type of drain snake made specifically for use on toilets.
Will a drain snake go through a trap?
Drain Snake Won’t Go Down Tub or Sink But many people try to do exactly that—force the cable straight down the drain opening, hoping to get through the trap and to the clog. Instead, you should take the drain trap apart beneath the sink, then insert the drain snake into the horizontal branch drain.
Can you run a snake down a toilet?
To unclog toilets that couldn’t be fixed with a plunger, use a toilet auger. Also called a plumbing snake, this flexible coil of wire is designed to extend into pipes and clear obstructions without damaging the plumbing. Feed the end of the cable into the toilet, taking care not to scratch the bowl.
