Damaged Pipes — If your home's drainage system is older and made of galvanized materials, there is a very real chance the steelhead of the plumbing snake can scratch the inside of the pipe. Over time, that scratch will rust and weaken the structure of the pipe, until it bursts from the pressure.
Drain Snakes Can Damage Pipes
When a drain snake is inserted into a pipe, the end may flop around, scratching the pipe. If the operator isn't completely confident in their ability to control the drain snake, they may apply too much force on the device. This is very easy to do if an electric drain snake is being used.
While snaking is generally considered safe for your pipes, it can damage your pipes if they are in bad shape. Homes that have older pipes are more susceptible to this happening as hairline cracks and corrosion occur over time. Surprisingly, snaking your main line can potentially make the clog worse.
Snaking a drain is completely safe because cables are flexible and bend and flow with the drainage system. Sewer cables are meant and designed to go into the drainage system without damaging it. However if you have issues such as a broken or a compromised drain the snake can get stuck and break the pipe.
Unlike regular cleanings, snaking your sewer line should be done as needed. There's no reason to snake your sewer line if you don't have any noticeable issues, like slow drainage or plugged drains.
Do you need a plumber to snake a drain? For more minor clogs, you can snake your own drain. However, for heavy-duty clogs or to reach a clog far into your home's plumbing system, you'll need a power auger. A trained plumber best uses this type of tool as untrained individuals can cause pipe damage.
Over time, that scratch will rust and weaken the structure of the pipe, until it bursts from the pressure. If you use a motor-powered snake incorrectly, you could crack the pipe and cause a serious leak.
If your snaking session yields plenty of hair and soap scum, but still leaves you with a slow drain, there's a good chance that the P-trap is still obstructed. To clear it, plug the overflow hole with a rag and fill the tub drain with hot water, which will help to soften and loosen soap scum.
If your auger isn't unclogging a clog, it could be because: The old clog is still attached. Are you using a drain snake that has been used before? Make sure the old clog isn't embedded in the corkscrew end.
If your plumber snake isn't clearing the clog properly, try: Cleaning the drain snake. If you haven't cleaned it since using it last, the old clog may still be embedded on the corkscrew end. You must clean this end for it to be effective.
Over time, the plumbing pipes get dirty and accumulate debris, slowly blocking the water flow. This buildup of slime in the drain is a notorious breeding ground for bacteria. As it grows, the biological matter creates black sludge in the drain.
Regular drain cleaning is essential for maintaining the health of your drains and preventing major clogs from occurring, so make sure to get it done at least once every year or whenever you start noticing any of the warning signs mentioned above.
A manual drain snake, also known as a plumber's snake or a drain auger, is a small boring tool that rotates slowly as it's physically pushed through a stubborn clog. The terminal end of the device is a corkscrew-shaped hook that is fed into a clogged drain or toilet.
Plumbing snakes (also called drain cables) that are used to unclog sinks can actually scratch your porcelain toilet bowl. If plunging did not work, you want a toilet auger (also sometimes called a closet auger). The auger is a plumbing snake, but it has a protective sleeve that protects the bowl from damage.
If the clog is a solid object, the auger head entangles the object. If you don't feel the auger breaking through and twisting getting easier, pull the auger out of the drain — you'll likely pull the clog out with it. Run water full force for a few minutes to be sure that the drain is unclogged.
Pull the snake out of the drain very carefully so you don't lose the clog hooked on the drain snake. After that, clean the debris off the snake with a towel as it comes out of the drain. Dump this excess debris into the bucket.
Check the vent
Your plumbing system has a vent that allows air to flow through the pipes. If the vent is blocked, it can cause water to drain slowly. You can check the vent outside your house to make sure it's not blocked by leaves or other debris.
A handheld snake has a 25-foot-long coiled wire, which is plenty long enough for most household clogs. A heavy-duty drain cleaning machine has a 50-foot reach if you need to go even further down the pipe to clear the blockage.
When you have a clogged drain you might be tempted to fix the problem yourself before calling a professional. Improperly unclogging a pipe can cause damage, make the clog worse, or be potentially dangerous.
Both methods have different uses and are designed to cater to different plumbing needs. Snakes are best to clear out small clogs like when there is mineral built up or hair is clogged in the sink. Hydro jets are best for clearing out pipes and any sort of clogged drains.
First the drain snake loosens the clog—then the powerful Drano® gel clears it away! The 23-inch flexible tool bends safely through your pipes, and the Drano® Pro Concentrate Gel powers through the clog.
For an easy clog, your plumber may get the job done in mere minutes. For a more stubborn or deep-seated clog, the process may take multiple hours.
When you are using a baking soda and vinegar solution to clean out your drain, you are actually causing the rubber and plastic that are used for the drain's pipes to be eaten away by the mixture. Over time, this rubber and plastic will break down, causing the drain to become even more blocked.