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.
I use a drum auger. Tighten the knob near the opening of the drain and spin while pushing down. If it's a bend, you'll feel the head become a little loose after it passes through. Loosen the knob and feed more line into the pipe. Repeat the next time the line stops. You'll get to the clog eventually.
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 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.
First, if you have metal pipes, pour boiling water down the drain. Then remove hair from the drain. If that doesn't work, use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. If the clog persists, use a plunger, plumber's snake or chemical drain opener.
The pipe bend known as the trap ensures a water seal separates the sewage system from the inside of your home. Like the rest of the wastewater system, it relies on gravity to keep the water within the bend.
Hardened Blockages: Some clogs, such as hardened grease or mineral deposits, may be resistant to the twisting action of a plumbing snake. Complex Blockages: Complex blockages, such as tree root intrusions or collapsed sewer pipes, may require specialized equipment and expertise.
Drano® Max Gel pours through standing water and works fast to clear clogged drains and restore them to a free-flowing state. Safe for all pipes, it works great to remove hair, soap scum, and other gunky clogs.
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.
Place the bucket directly under the U-bend to catch what comes out when you dismantle it. There should be a threaded cap either side of the U-bend; you need to carefully unscrew these using the wrench or mole grips. As you loosen these, water will rush out into the bucket.
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.
When drawing the snake out, rotate the handle counterclockwise and be careful as to not lose the clog. Run the water for a few minutes to flush away any remaining material. Run hot water in a sink, unless it's the garbage disposal (in which case use cold water), or pour a kettle of hot water down a shower drain.
Bend the end of the snake about 3 or 4 inches from the end before you insert it so it will more easily go around the corner when it encounters it. You can also try pulling back on the cable just a bit when you get to a corner.
Drain Snaking Can Impact the Clog If Done Incorrectly
Drain snaking requires proper knowledge and skills to do it right the first time. When done incorrectly, the materials of which the clog consists can wrap around the snake and become lodged in the pipe.
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.
Pour one-half cup table salt down the drain, followed by boiling water. Or try a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar—let it bubble, wait 15 minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain. You can also try a cup of baking soda and a half-cup of salt; let it sit for several hours, then flush with boiling water.
You can also try a handheld auger. Wearing gloves and eye protection, feed the auger into the top or bottom downspout opening and turn the drum clockwise. Once it's all the way through, pull the cable back. You may need to do this several times to remove a stubborn clog.
To prevent this, clean out and snake the French drain once a year. Whether you're performing interior French drain maintenance, basement French drain cleanout, or exterior French drain maintenance, you'll need an electric sewer snake. You can easily rent one if you don't want to buy it.
As explained, drain snakes are designed to follow the path of any pipe, that includes turning corners.
Make sure the old clog isn't embedded in the corkscrew end. Clean your drain snake before using it! The thumbscrew is loose. You need to make sure that you've securely tightened thumbscrew(the piece that secures the cable inside the drum or handle).