How to Snake a Drain Using a Plumber’s Snake?

If you have a blockage that won’t budge with a plunger but you don’t want to give up just yet, a manual drain snake may be your best chance. To unclog drains, plumbers use tools like the snake or drain auger, which literally “snake” down into the pipes. Between plunging and hiring a professional to use a high-powered drain auger, snaking a pipe is a good choice.

Plungers are the most common do-it-yourself (DIY) drain-clearing tool; however, plumbers’ snakes are more effective. It might be challenging to steer them around tight corners. Don’t waste money on blunders by not taking the time to master your snake. The following is a comprehensive guide to using a drain snake.

How to use a plumbing snake (And what is an auger anyway?)

Simply put, an auger is a tool made specifically for making holes in things. There are various kinds of augers, and a drill is one of them. An auger, also known as a plumbing snake or auger, is a long, flexible metal cable equipped with a small, uncoiled spring at one end and a handle at the other. The snake’s auger head, which is also its mouth, resembles a corkscrew. The standard length for a domestic auger is between twenty and fifty feet. When not in use, you can store the cable within its cylindrical container. Most home plumbing snakes have a swiveling handle or crank that lets the user manually pull the cable out and move it. By turning the knob, the coil can be rotated to let you get through narrow passages.

When you snake a drain, you put on protective gear and go into the pipe to remove the clog. First, you’ll need to manually feed the snake through the drain until you reach the clog using the auger head. As the snake keeps moving into the drainpipe and unwinding, its head breaks through the blockage. To provide you with a more in-depth explanation of how to use a drain auger, here it is:

How to Use a Drain Snake Most Effectively:

1. Put on some clothes you don’t mind getting muddy in and arrange some old towels beneath the pipes you’re working on. Depending on the nature of the clog, your snaking procedure could get messy. This is especially critical if you end up deleting the p-trap. p-trap (optional but recommended) section called a p-trap. It’s the link between your sink and the rest of your house’s plumbing system. The reason it’s curved is to prevent sewer gases from rising through the sink and into the home. P-traps are generally built of PVC pipe, though they can also be metal.

2. The p-trap can be taken out by hand or with the aid of an adjustable wrench. Once you’ve got the p-trap out of the way, give it a good once-over and give it a good cleaning. If you’ve located your obstruction, you may not have to snake at all! Removing the trap often makes snaking easier by bypassing this tough twist. \s­

3. Third, you might want to get rid of the trap arm (although that’s optional). A trap arm is the section of pipe between the p-trap and the real wall pipe. It holds the p-trap in place and may curve again to reach the wall. You should check the trap arm’s connection to the wall for a plastic or metal nut. If you can locate a screw, you can use it to dismantle the trap arm. The arm may be cemented in place if you have trouble removing it. After removing the trap arm, it is important to clean it just like the p-trap.

You can get the finest look at the drainpipe if you take off the trap arm. Search into the drainpipe to look for any clogs. If the barrier can be seen, it can be removed from its current location. If you’ve tried everything else and still can’t get what you want, it’s time to bring out the snake.

4. Inserting a plumber’s snake into a drain. Insert the snake’s auger head into the pipe by hand. Insert the head of the snake into either the drain (if you didn’t remove the trap) or the access hole on the wall. Run cold water over the snake if you didn’t disarm the trap first.

The drain entrance or pipe could be broken if you press the auger too far into the drain. Snake the drain slowly and carefully, making sure the snake’s head and cable aren’t too big for the opening.

5. With the snake, start uncoiling the coiled strands. Keep the handle of the snake as close to the entrance of the pipe as feasible. The less slack the auger has, the more force you’re directing into the pipe. \s­

slowly and steadily add to the line. If the cable moves through the pipe and you feel resistance at any point, you may have hit a blockage or just a bend in the pipe. \s­

6. Turn the handle to move the auger head back and forth as you continue to press until you have cleared the impediment. Keep the auger from slamming against the pipe walls as you try to break up the obstacle or navigate the bend. Stop snacking and readjust if you hear scraping sounds. Consistently applying force when spinning the crank is recommended.

7. Pull the snake out and reassemble the sink components. Examine the auger head for any remaining impediments and clean them off. Please reinstall the trap arm and p-trap if you took them out earlier.

8. Put the sink through its paces. The snake should have successfully removed the impediment and corrected the clogging problem. If you still have a clog, then you could try repeating your snaking operation. But similar to plunging, excessive use of a drain snake can cause damage to your pipes and drains. If a good snake doesn’t fix the issue, it might be time to call in the experts.

Expert Drain Cleaning, Los Angeles

Snakes can be installed in almost any home, which is surprising for a do-it-yourself project. The only thing standing between you and a clean sink, tub, or toilet is your knowledge of how to use a snake and the patience to maneuver it.

when nothing seems to work and that blockage refuses to budge. Be of good cheer! Once you’ve dealt with your snake, give Mike Diamond a ring. Outside of Los Angeles traffic, we have the tools and knowledge to find and get rid of any problem.