While drain snakes can be very effective in clearing certain clogs, sometimes they can actually exacerbate a problem. For example, if your pipes are old and corroded, sticking a drain snake down there can scrape off chunks of metal, making the clog much worse and damaging your pipe.
You may have broken up the clog only for it to get stuck further down the line. Also, sometimes the snake might punch through a clog high up but the water drains in the bottom of the pipe. I would stay with some natural, less harsh, drain cleaner and move up to full strength stuff if it persists.
In short – yes, snaking a drain yourself can make a clog worse. When someone without plumbing expertise tries to use a drain snake, they can make the clog worse or cause damage to their drain pipes. While many clogs are caused by objects stuck in your pipe, they can also occur due to mineral build-up.
You might try sucking the drain out with a shop vac and then try snaking it again, if there is debris in the bottom of the trap it can be difficult to get the snake to turn.
Sometimes, using a drain snake can push the clog deeper into the pipe, making the blockage even worse. This often happens if the clog is caused by mineral buildup, like hard water deposits, that can be scraped off and further block the drain.
Common culprits for drain blockages include hair, grease, food debris, and foreign objects, and each of these types of blockage behaves differently, which is why it's impossible to say whether or not a blocked drain will simply clear itself on its own. It really comes down to two simple words: it depends.
2. Use a wet vacuum. If you have a wet/dry vacuum, you have a great tool for unclogging drains. Simply turn it to the wet setting and cover the drain.
It could be a bend or the clog causing the stoppage, and the standard procedure is to tighten the setscrew then crank the snake clockwise while applying moderate pressure. That should get you past the bend easily without any pipe breaks. If it does not move, then you reached the clog.
A plunger can be effective for dislodging clogs near the drain opening. For deeper clogs, a drain snake or auger can reach and break up blockages inside the pipe. Hydro jetting kits, which use high-pressure water to clear pipes, are also available for more persistent clogs.
While drain snaking can effectively remove roots from drain pipes, plumbing companies also offer drain hydro-jetting if you prefer a long-term solution for your root problems. As its name suggests, this service uses the help of a hydro jetter and is more expensive than drain snaking.
It's also possible for drain cleaners to end up making a clog worse. This can happen for a few reasons: First, the chemicals in drain cleaners can corrode pipes and cause damage over time. This can lead to leaks or even bursting, which can make a clog worse by creating additional blockages.
Pour one cup of fresh baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Place a rubber stopper or other sink hole cover over the drain opening. Wait 15 minutes to allow the vinegar and baking soda to unclog your drain, Then take out the drain cover and run hot tap water down the drain to clear the clog.
A plumbing snake is more effective for clogs that are deeper within the pipes, beyond the reach of a plunger. It's particularly useful when you suspect that the blockage is solid or too stubborn for suction alone to handle.
The first step when using a drain snake is to slowly feed the auger tip of the plumber's snake into the wall pipe (or P-trap/trap arm if you did not remove them. If you didn't, run cold water as you snake the line). As you feed the auger head into the pipe, don't use excessive force or you could damage the pipe.
All you have to do is pour 1 cup or baking soda down your drain and then follow it with 1 cup of vinegar. After your mixture is in the drain, seal the top of the drain and wait for about an hour so your concoction can start breaking down any clogs. After about an hour, rinse your drain a few times with boiling water.
Snaking your shower drain can be done at least once a month to remove residue and hair, and professional cleaning of the whole draining system should be done once a year.
Make sure that you've securely tightened the 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.
Plumbers choose hydro jetting equipment for the most stubborn, deep-set clogs. This drain clearing tool uses high-pressure water to flush your pipes and remove years of buildup. The water jet is so strong that it can even break up any tree roots that have found their way into your sewer line.
If you use the wrong type of drain snake for the drain line, the snake could loop back on itself or scrape the sides of the plumbing pipe, causing damage that could lead to leaks and/or the need to replace the damaged piece of pipe.
As explained, drain snakes are designed to follow the path of any pipe, that includes turning corners.
Ultimately, pouring boiling water down the drain can be a useful method for dealing with certain types of clogs, but do note that it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Roto-Rooter's most popular service is clearing sewer lines using an auger strong enough to cut through tree roots. This service typically costs $400 to $600. Unclogging a branch line, or plumbing within the home, costs $350 to $500 on average. The technician uses a smaller auger to snake a drain in your home.
While white vinegar alone may not be as effective as a baking soda and vinegar combination, it can still help unclog drains with minor build-up. Pour about 1 cup of white vinegar into the drain, let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour, and then rinse with hot water.