Unfortunately, even the finest intentions do not always produce the desired results. Using a drain snake to remove a clog might sometimes make the situation worse. While blockages are often the result of anything that has not been flushed down the pipe, they may also be the result of mineral buildup from hard water.
If your snake isn't unclogging your drains it could be because the thumbscrew is loose, the clog is too severe, or the auger is dirty, for example. A drain snake (also known as an auger) is a simple, inexpensive necessity for every homeowner.
Professional plumbing augers are more powerful, but even so, snakes don't clean the drain. While a snake may dislodge the clog and resolve the immediate problem, accumulating sludge coating the wall of the pipe means clogging will likely recur.
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.
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.
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.
For stubborn clogs, a plunger might not do the trick. Instead, a tool called a closet auger fits down inside the toilet bowl and allows the user to feed a cable through the toilet without scratching the coating. These augers can bust up clogs or hook the clog and pull it back through the bowl.
Using a snake is also more invasive and time-consuming than using a chemical cleaner is, and can often become a dirty job. When it comes to getting at and removing major clogs or clogs that are deep down in your pipes, however, a plumber's snake is your best bet.
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.
Professional Plumbing Tools 101: Drain Augers
Also known as drain snakes, there are several different versions of drain augers that most plumbers will carry with them at all times. In essence, it's a basic tool, but an auger is best for tough drain clogs that just won't budge and for cleaning out drains, too.
You should clean your sewer line at least every two years. Getting a sewer line inspection for older homes or those with more trees is a good idea. Basic sewer line clogs and debris can be tackled with a $5 drain snake. More stubborn clogs may require professional cleaning, which costs an average of $325.
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!
Tighten the Thumbscrew
If you hit an obstacle and the cable will not rotate, the thumbscrew likely needs to be tightened. A handle on the side of the snake drum has a place for you to insert a corkscrew and tighten the drain auger. Tighten the auger as much as you can before continuing to snake.
Crank the Handle of the Drain Snake
When pushing the cable through the P-trap, the U-shaped pipe section under the sink, you may encounter some friction and resistance. If this happens, push on the cable while cranking the drain snake slowly. A couple of turns will help the cable maneuver through the bends in the pipe.
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.
Insert the snake's head into either the drain (if you didn't remove the trap) or the access point on the wall. Avoid running hot water while you snake, and use cold water instead. If the pipe is severely clogged, it will only trap this hot water in the pipes and damage them.
While you may need to call in a plumber for stubborn clogs, most clogs due to soft debris can be snagged and removed by a drain snake. With this simple, low-cost device that you can store in a sink cabinet, you'll save time and money by not having a plumber clear your clogged drain.
Drawbacks of Plumbing Snakes
They have the ability to scratch, crack and punch holes through pipes. They can be dangerous to operate for the inexperienced. They are not effective at removing extremely tough clogs. They may not completely remove the clog, which means another clog may quickly reform.
Drano is not only ineffective, but it's also extremely damaging to your plumbing system. The heat created by the chemical reaction is more than your drains are designed to take. Corroded, aging plumbing can easily breakdown. Pipes can split and the glue holding them together can disintegrate.
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.
It is not a great drain clog remover. Bleach has no effect in dissolving the common culprits of household drain clogs, like hair, food scraps and grease.
You can tackle a clogged sewer line using other strategies if you don't have a snake on hand. First, you can run hot water down the drain for 5 to 10 minutes to see if that helps break up the clog. If it doesn't, pour equal parts of vinegar and baking soda into a bowl and then pour that mixture down the drain.
A lot of folks know the baking soda and vinegar trick. Simply pour some hot water down your clogged drain and follow it up with equal parts baking soda and vinegar (baking soda first), cover the drain with a plug if you have one, let it sit for 20-30 minutes, then follow it up with more hot water to clear the clog.