A drain snake can easily scratch, puncture, or weaken aging pipes, especially if they are made from materials like cast iron or galvanized steel, which can corrode over time. This damage can lead to leaks, bursts, or costly repairs down the line.
A drain snake, if used improperly, can scratch, puncture, or weaken pipes that may already be corroded. This can result in leaks, bursts, or expensive repairs that could have been avoided by calling our professional plumbers. Our professionals have the experience to handle older plumbing without causing further damage.
A snake will not hurt any drain material in good condition, not PVC, ABS, Cast Iron, Copper, etc if used in a normal manner. It also would be extremely hard to make it to happen on accident.
The tip of the snake can easily scrape the inside of the pipe. If your pipe is already rusting, this damage can quickly become serious. Improper snaking can also lead to water leakage problems as the pipe could burst open.
One of the main reasons plumbers dislike liquid drain cleaners is that they can actually cause more harm than good. These products contain harsh chemicals that can corrode your pipes and cause damage over time.
Plumbers unanimously encourage homeowners not to use Drano due to its corrosive nature. The chemicals in Drano can erode not only the clogged material causing the blockage but will also quickly eat away at the metal plumbing pipes themselves, causing more harm than good.
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.
If the blockage is particularly tough or caused by grease, mineral buildup, or tree roots, a professional plumber may recommend more advanced methods, like hydro jetting. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to clear stubborn blockages and clean the insides of your pipes more thoroughly than a snake can.
You will want to make sure you get the right size auger for snaking your drain. Using the incorrect one could cause the snake to loop back on itself and scrape the insides of the drain. This could lead to coercion, leaks, and could end up causing damage to an extent that requires replacement of the piping.
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.
In short – yes, snaking a drain yourself can make a clog worse. When someone without plumbing expertise tries to use a drain snake, they can make the clog worse or cause damage to their drain pipes. While many clogs are caused by objects stuck in your pipe, they can also occur due to mineral build-up.
A plumbing snake is more effective for clogs that are deeper within the pipes, beyond the reach of a plunger. It's particularly useful when you suspect that the blockage is solid or too stubborn for suction alone to handle.
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.
Common Grain Auger Injuries
Coming into contact with an unguarded blade can result in significant lacerations and broken bones. Electrocutions − Electrocution is a frequent result of moving a raised grain auger around the farm and coming into contact with overhead electrical wires.
'Snaking' occurs when a surfer deliberately paddles inside of another surfer in order to steal wave priority and get closest to the breaking part of the wave. You'll occasionally encounter surfers who paddle across you at the last minute in order to take off deeper, thus claiming priority.
Drano is designed to continually react and generate heat within your drain until the clog dissolves. Over time, the continued use of Drano can cause your pipes to crack and fail. It's also been known to eat away at the adhesive that joins pipes together. Plastic and older pipes are even more susceptible to damage.
Push the plunger slowly and precisely, up and down. If you plunge too fast, you may push some of the matter that's blocking the drain too far down. Take your time when plunging. It's understandable that you want to unblock the drain quickly, but plunging too fast can make matters worse.
Open ventilation pipes are easy enough for snakes to slither through. But having some sort of block—like a mesh or wire covering—will keep the snakes and any other pests (like rats!)
As far as home solutions, the snake is your strongest drain unblocker. It can be very helpful to keep a plumber's auger or snake in the house. You have to be a bit more careful with snakes than you would be with a chemical cleaner, however. Make sure you're not jamming the snake too hard or rotating too violently.
I recommend staying away from heavy acid-based cleaners like CLR or Lime-A-Way. The heavy acid in these products can damage rubber or metal components of the drain system.
Drano Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover
The best drain cleaner overall. A thick gel that descends through standing water to the source of the clog and starts to work melting soap scum, grease, and other gunky obstructions, is safe for plumbing and septic systems.
You'll likely pay between $300 and $450 to unclog your toilet with Roto-Rooter. However, the price could change depending on if the clog has caused a lot of damage, which your plumbing pro will want to inspect during your service appointment. Keep in mind that you won't get a quote from Roto-Rooter over the phone.
If your clog is still stubbornly in place, consider a drain snake. There are cheap plastic ones and hand-cranked metal models, either of which might snag the offending blockage with no need for a plumber. But if you still can't get to the root of the problem, it's time for professional assistance.
A drain snake is used to physically remove blockages. This method can take anywhere from fifteen minutes to almost an hour, depending on how complex your clog is. For more severe or deeper blockages, your plumber might use hydro-jetting.