How to Use a Plumbing Snake
Did you know that the modern plumbing snake, also known as a drain auger, was invented in the early 20th century? This simple yet ingenious tool has revolutionized the way we handle common household blockages. Learning how to use a plumbing snake can effectively clear clogged pipes where chemical cleaners fall short. However, while snaking your drains can be a handy solution, it isn’t always the perfect fix for more stubborn or complex blockages.
Let’s explore the steps and tips to effectively use a plumbing snake, ensuring you can tackle basic clogs with confidence while knowing when it’s time to call in the professionals.
Choosing the Right Snake for the Job
Before you start wrestling with your drain, selecting the correct type of plumbing snake is key. Different clogs and plumbing setups require different tools.
Selecting Your Snake:
- Handheld Drum Augers are ideal for small, straightforward clogs in sinks or bathtubs. They’re easy to use and very effective for everyday blockages.
- Closet Augers are specifically designed for toilets. Their structure helps prevent scratching the porcelain while navigating the unique curves of toilet plumbing.
- Electric Drain Snakes offer more power and are suitable for tougher, more persistent clogs that manual snakes can’t handle. They can be rented from hardware stores if you don’t own one.
Remember, using a snake that’s too large or too aggressive for your pipes can cause damage, while a too-small snake might not be effective. Always match the snake size and type to the severity and location of the clog.
Setting the Stage: Preparing to Snake
Are you wondering how to use a plumbing snake? It starts with prep work. Proper preparation can simplify the process of snaking your drain and increase your chances of success. Here’s how to get ready for the task.
Pre-Snake Prep:
- Clear the Area: Ensure the space around your sink, bathtub, or toilet is clear of any items that might obstruct your work or get damaged.
- Wear Protective Gear: Put on gloves and consider goggles to protect yourself from any debris or splashes that might occur while you work.
- Have a Bucket Handy: Position a bucket underneath the work area to catch any water or debris that may come out during the snaking process.
Always start with a visual inspection. Sometimes, the blockage is close enough that you can remove it with simple tools like a wire hanger or pliers, saving the need for more complex efforts.
- Inspect the Drain: Take a moment to visually inspect the drain for obvious obstructions that you might be able to remove without a snake.
Always start with a visual inspection. Sometimes, the blockage is close enough that you can remove it with simple tools like a wire hanger or pliers, saving the need for more complex efforts.
Inserting the Snake: Getting Started on the Right Track
Initiating the process of clearing a clog starts with correctly inserting the plumbing snake into the drain. This initial step is crucial for the success of the entire operation.
How to Use a Plumbing Snake:
- Start Gently: Carefully feed the beginning of the snake into the drain. It’s essential to start with a gentle approach to avoid any immediate resistance or damage.
- Turn the Handle Clockwise: As you feed the snake into the drain, turn the handle in a clockwise direction. This action helps the snake to advance smoothly into the pipe, assisting it in navigating bends and turns without getting stuck.
- Maintain a Steady Pace: Keep the movement steady and consistent. Avoid pushing too hard or too fast, as this can cause harsh scrapes against the pipes, potentially leading to damage.
Executing this step with attention to detail sets the stage for a more effective and damage-free clogging resolution.
Feel for Resistance to Locate the Clog
Once you’ve successfully inserted the plumbing snake, the next step is to carefully advance it until you encounter resistance, signaling the presence of a clog.
Navigating the Blockage:
- Advance the Snake: Continue feeding the snake deeper into the drain. Move slowly to feel subtle changes in resistance that may indicate you are nearing or have reached the blockage.
- Detect Resistance: When you feel increased resistance or the snake becomes harder to push, you have likely reached the clog. It’s important at this stage to maintain gentle pressure; pushing too hard can compact the clog further or damage the pipe.
- Assess the Blockage: Take a moment to assess how the snake reacts. If the resistance feels soft and pliable, the blockage might be caused by organic material like food or soap scum. If the resistance is hard, it could be an object or a more solid accumulation.
If the resistance lessens after a slight push and you feel the snake move forward easily again, you may have broken through a small part of the clog. Continue to advance slowly and repeat the process to ensure the entire blockage is addressed
Rotating Against the Clog: Engaging and Dislodging the Blockage
After locating the clog, the next critical step involves actively working to dislodge or break it apart using the plumbing snake.
Here’s how to rotate the plumbing snake:
- Continue Rotating Clockwise: Once you’ve identified the resistance of the clog, keep turning the handle clockwise. This action helps the tip of the snake to engage with the clog, either hooking into or breaking apart the material causing the blockage.
- Apply Gentle Pressure: While rotating, apply a gentle but firm pressure. This helps the snake work into the clog without pushing it further down the pipe, which could worsen the situation.
- Adjust Techniques as Needed: Depending on the feedback you get (such as the snakestopping or debris feeling loose), adjust your approach. You might need to pull back slightly if the snake feels stuck or increase your rotations to further break down the clog.
If the snake seems to be stuck, gently pulling back while continuing to rotate can help release it from the grasp of whatever is blocking the pipe. This action can also pull some of the debris back with the snake, giving you a better chance to clear the clog completely on subsequent attempts.
Retrieve and Repeat: Clearing the Clog Completely
Once you’ve worked the snake against the clog, the next step involves carefully withdrawing the snake to remove the debris and checking if the blockage has been cleared.
- Slowly Pull Out the Snake: Begin to slowly retract the snake from the drain, maintaining a gentle clockwise rotation. This helps keep any engaged debris attached to the snake as it comes out, minimizing the chance of leaving parts of the clog behind.
- Inspect the Debris: As you pull the snake out, examine the debris that comes with it. This can give you clues about what caused the blockage and whether there might be more to remove.
- Test Drain Flow: After removing the snake, run water to check the flow through the drain. If the water still drains slowly or stands in the sink, tub, or toilet, it indicates that parts of the clog might still be present.
Call Tampa’s Plumbing Solution for Clogged Drains and More
If you are having trouble with clogs, you might wonder how to use a plumbing snake. But sometimes the snakes that you buy from the hardware store won’t get rid of clogs. Please call us for help with your clogged drains!
