Maneuver the Plumbing Snake If you feel resistance when feeding the auger coil and suspect you've hit the 90-degree angle, slowly crank the snake clockwise to help the snake head navigate. If that doesn't work, crank the equipment counterclockwise to make its head move back and forth to find the right angle.
Drain Snake Won't Go Around Bends
You may not be rotating the drain snake enough or you may not be using the right kind of drain snake. Rotate the drain snake more: A drain snake moves down the pipes both by forward motion and by rotation. Rotate the snake more, while continuing to push the snake forward.
If the snake is small, you may be able to use a long pair of tongs or forceps to gently grasp the snake's body and pull it back up through the drain opening. For larger snakes, you may need to disassemble the drain pipe to gain better access. This may involve removing the drain cover, P-trap, or other components.
In drainage the Universal Plumbing Code requires long sweep 90 degree elbows for horizontal direction changes and at the bottom of stacks to go from vertical to horizontal regular 90 degree elbow are only allowed to turn down like in a horizontal to vertical direction change.
A slope that's too steep can cause water to flow too quickly, leaving solids behind, which can eventually result in a drain pipe blockage. On the other hand, a slope that's too shallow may not provide enough force for water to flow properly, leading to stagnant water and potential backups.
The reason is probably a loose thumbscrew. The thumbscrew being too loose is a common cause of the plumbing snake malfunctioning. The thumbscrew that holds the cable within the drum or handle needs to be properly tightened. If it isn't, the cable won't revolve at all as you turn it.
Check to see if the P-trap itself is clogged with debris and clean it out if necessary. If the issue is further down the line, you can try using a drain snake, also called an auger, to try and reach the clog from under the sink.
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. Or maybe you just need a refresher on how to use a drain snake. A drain auger (snake) is a simple, inexpensive necessity for every homeowner.
If you think you hit the 90-degree angle inside the pipe, gently turn the auger crank in the opposite direction to make the snake head move up and down. Turning the auger counterclockwise won't allow the coil to collect debris, but it will make it easier to turn the snake head around the corner if one is present.
As explained, drain snakes are designed to follow the path of any pipe, that includes turning corners.
A snake that's too large can easily cause scratches or even break the pipes. It's essential to select a snake that fits snugly within the pipe without forcing it, allowing for effective removal of the clog without risking damage to the pipe's interior.
Since this product is plastic and extremely basic, it doesn't typically do much for anything other than extremely minor blockages or some hair accumulation.
P-traps, named after their shape, contain a u-shaped bend that filters wastewater as it enters a plumbing system. The trap is connected to a sink, bathtub, and shower with a J-bend on one end and exits into your drainage system. The J-bend is the section of the p-trap that resembles the letter J.
On average, the cost to snake a drain can range from $100 to $300. However, keep in mind that this is just an estimate, and prices may vary depending on the factors.
It's typically a good rule of thumb to remove this P-trap before you insert the plumbing snake to make it easier to get into your drain pipe. If you were to leave the P-trap in place, you would have to remove the inside of the drain and try to go around the P-trap curve.
Look under your sink and find the U-bend, it's the first bend in the pipe immediately below the plughole. Put your bucket/dish under the U-bend and carefully unscrew the section of pipe. The U-bend has two sets of threads, one at either end. As you loosen them any backed up water will drain out, so take your time.
You Could Make the Clog Worse
For example, if the clog is caused by mineral buildup from hard water, the snake may scrape off pieces of the buildup, only to push them deeper into the pipe. This could result in a larger blockage that's even harder to remove.
Insert the snake into the open drain until it meets resistance. 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.
The Short Answer Is: Drano and similar chemical drain cleaners can be harmful to home drain pipes as they contain corrosive chemicals that may deteriorate pipes over time, especially if used frequently.
If you force it, sometimes the cable can bend back on itself or kink. Instead of forcing the cable, extend the snake cable a few inches at a time until you reach the clog. Really big blockage – Sometimes the blockage in your bathtub drain is simply too large to be dislodged with a drain snake.
Yes, yes you can. If the vertical part of the 90 degree comes from the primary drain, and the horizontal goes to a P-trap, you'll be fine. Consult your local plumber, or plumbing codes.
The first answer is YES: Your sewer drains should hold water in certain locations. The reason for the water in the drainage fixture is to prevent rodents and smells entering the building. For example a toilet pan has water in its bowl always this is to prevent foul smells entering the building.
Common Toilet Drain Pipe Sizes
The standard drain line size for a toilet is typically 3 inches in diameter. This size is recommended to ensure proper drainage and to help prevent the inconvenience of clogging. For households with multiple toilets, it is possible to have up to three toilets on a 3-inch common drain.