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What is the difference between a drain 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 snake a drain with an 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.
How do you get an auger down a drain?
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 drain augers work?
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. Plumber’s snakes work by entering the drain directly to physically contact and then clear away the obstruction causing the clog.
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.
Should I buy a drain auger?
First of all, a drain snake is a good item to keep handy in a home. A basic hand-crank drain snake (a.k.a. a drain auger) is a much better option for getting rid of a minor clog than resorting to chemical drain cleaners. In fact, you should never use these chemicals on your drains!Apr 25, 2016.
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.
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.
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.
What happens if a toilet auger doesn’t work?
You need to make sure that you’ve securely tightened thumbscrew(the piece that secures the cable inside the drum or handle). If the thumbscrew is loose, the cable will not rotate at all when you twist the handle. The cable rotation is how the drain snake picks up debris, so if it can’t do this, your auger won’t work.
Can snake come through toilet?
Yes, but it’s not common. Sometimes snakes will swim up through the pipes or enter a bathroom through an open window or door and coil up in a toilet bowl in search of a place to cool down during the hot, dry summers. However, this doesn’t really happen in urban areas.
Can I snake a drain myself?
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.
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.
Can one person use an auger?
A one-man auger with a 6-inch auger bit can be used to dig holes for steel fence posts. A one- or two-man auger with a 10-inch bit can be used to dig holes for a 4 x 4 wooden fence post or larger plants. (The extra width creates room for maneuvering the post or adding concrete.)Nov 3, 2021.
