A standard 25 ft or 50 ft drain snake should be used for kitchen drain cleanings. If the stoppage is before the clean-out, then you might have to disconnect the P-trap.
A drain snake is usually about 15 to 25 feet long. It should be inserted into the drain as far as possible in order to reach the clog, but be careful not to damage your pipes.
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. But a broken or faulty auger can be extremely frustrating.
Professionals use a snake-like tool to slip into the drain and collect all kinds of gunk obstructing the normal water flow in the drains. The manual drain snake is a flexible, 25-foot-long steel cable that easily slips into the drain.
If snaking a clogged drain doesn't work there is a good chance that an old clay tile sewer has collapsed. Use a video snake to see down the sewer to find what is clogging. You may have to dig up the sewer and replace it.
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.
While the drain of a standard shower is bigger than that of a tub, you can still use a standard drain snake with a 5/16 inch (ca. 41 cm) or 1/4 inch cable so that the cable smoothly goes through. Most 1/4 inch snakes for plumbing have a 25 ft cable which is long enough to clear shower blockages.
Basic handheld drain snakes can effectively clear most clogs about 20 feet down the pipe or less. If you have a blockage any further than that, the heavy-duty drain cleaning machine with a 50-foot cable is the way to go.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sinks, Laundry Tubs, Roof Vents
If you are clearing small-diameter drainlines (1 1/4 inches to 3 inches) you can use machines that use smaller diameter cables. Hand-held models that carry 1/4-, 5/16- or 3/8-inch cables are best suited for this application (see Cable Application Chart).
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.
Use a drain snake when your sink, shower, or tub drain is draining slowly or is not draining at all due to soft clogs located up to 15 to 25 feet down the line.
As explained, drain snakes are designed to follow the path of any pipe, that includes turning corners.
They're available in either crank, cordless, or plug-in, power drill versions. However, a drain snake is often smaller and is used on the inside of the house, whereas an auger is larger and is most often going to be used for clogs on the outside of the home.
A 25 foot handheld drum auger can be purchased for around $30. This is a good next choice, since the auger can break through many clogs that are further away from the toilet.
Why a Sewer Snake Might Not Fully Clear a Clog. Limited Reach: Plumbing snakes have a limited reach and may not be able to reach deep-seated clogs or obstructions in the sewer line. Hardened Blockages: Some clogs, such as hardened grease or mineral deposits, may be resistant to the twisting action of a plumbing snake.
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.
Toilet drain pipes are usually 3 inches in diameter. Washing machines and laundry sinks generally need 2-inch drain pipes. Shower and bathtub drain pipes are usually 2 inches in diameter. Sinks usually require a 1.5-inch drain pipe.
Drain snakes with a coil head or a toothed head can pull the clog out of the drain. A coil or toothed head is usually enough to clear most household clogs in drains and toilets. A cutting head has a blade that can push through thick clogs like grease, food, leaves or mud.
If you have a clogged PVC pipe or want to prevent your pipes from clogging, it may be time to clean the inside of your pipes. Fortunately, with a plunger or snake and some dish soap or enzyme / bacterial drain cleaner, you can easily clean most PVC type piping on your own.