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How do you use a snake to unclog a drain?
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. Keep pushing more of the snake into the drain until you feel resistance. Rotate the snake against the blockage until you feel it feed freely into 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 do I get a drain auger around a corner?
How to Get Past Corners With Drain Augers Place the cable of the drain auger at the beginning of the drain opening. Turn the handle for the drain auger clockwise to start the cable through the drain. Pull the cable back a little when you reach a corner by turning the handle counterclockwise.
How do you unclog a 90 degree pipe?
Snake the piping with a bent hanger for close-by clogs. Find a wire coat hanger, straighten it out, and bend the tip to a 90-degree angle using a pair of pliers. The length of the hook should be small enough to fit through the drain. Push the hooked end down the drain and into the piping as far as you can.
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.
How does a plumbing auger 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.
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.
Is a drain auger a snake?
A drain snake and an auger are functionally the same. A cable is fed into the clogged line and a twisting action is used to either break through the clog or pull the clog back out. The main difference between a snake and an auger is size. Snakes are smaller, usually for lines 1.25-2 inches in diameter.
How do you use a flat auger?
Cable Augers It must be operated manually by turning the crank to push the rod out into the clogged pipe. As you turn the handle, the rod rotates and tries to grab the clog. You can continue pushing to let the rod pierce through the clog, or pull it back out.
