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.
You might try sucking the drain out with a shop vac and then try snaking it again, if there is debris in the bottom of the trap it can be difficult to get the snake to turn.
You may have broken up the clog only for it to get stuck further down the line. Also, sometimes the snake might punch through a clog high up but the water drains in the bottom of the pipe. I would stay with some natural, less harsh, drain cleaner and move up to full strength stuff if it persists.
Pour one cup of fresh baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Place a rubber stopper or other sink hole cover over the drain opening. Wait 15 minutes to allow the vinegar and baking soda to unclog your drain, Then take out the drain cover and run hot tap water down the drain to clear the clog.
Too much force – When you're trying to dislodge a blockage, it can be tempting to try and force a snake cable through the drain too fast. 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.
It is very hard to force a drain snake cable through the sharp bends of a fixture P-trap underneath a sink or tub. The solution is to disassemble the trap to bypass some of the tightest bends in the tub or sink. Or you may want to work the snake down the drain slower.
If you're looking for an easy and chemical-free solution, you can clear a slow drain with a plunger. To clear a slow drain, you can use a cup plunger to unclog it or a similar type of drain plunger. A cup plunger can be used to clear various types of drains, whether it be in your kitchen, bathroom, or even basement.
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.
The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.
In short – yes, snaking a drain yourself can make a clog worse.
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.
These products contain harsh chemicals that can corrode your pipes and cause damage over time. They can also react with other substances in your pipes, such as soap scum or grease, creating even more problems. It's also possible for drain cleaners to end up making a clog worse.
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.
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.
Time Frame Expectations
A tougher clog that needs methods like a drain snake or the vinegar and baking soda trick might take anywhere from fifteen minutes to half an hour. If you're dealing with a more stubborn or complicated blockage, you'll likely need a professional plumber.
Properties and Uses: Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a highly corrosive acid used extensively by plumbers to clear severe clogs. It reacts rapidly with organic materials in drains, breaking them down into simpler compounds that can be easily flushed away.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
An age old trick for drain unblocking, a concoction of baking soda and vinegar can work wonders for your drains. Mix 1/3 of a cup of baking soda with 1/3 of vinegar. As it begins to fizz, pour it down the blocked drain as soon as possible.
Heat 2 or 4 liters of water on your stove or in a kettle to just short of boiling. Add about 1/2 cup of salt. Try pouring this down the drain, then wait 15 minutes before seeing if it will clear more easily. If you need a stronger cleaning, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar.
What is the best overall drain cleaner? During our lab testing, we found the Green Gobbler Main Line Opener performed best at clearing clogs. It's worth noting that the Green Gobbler Main Line Opener claims to be safe for toilets, sinks, tubs, showers and even septic tanks.
When you think you've hit the 90-degree angle, rotate the handle clockwise at the lowest speed to help the snake navigate the 90-degree turn. If you can't get past the bend, run your tool in reverse or turn up the crank. This will force the head to bobble back and forth until it finds the right angle.
So, why won't your drain snake go down the bathtub drain? The answer may be that you are either using the wrong kind of drain snake, or you are trying to force it through a P-trap, or you are forcing the snake cable through the pipe too quickly or the clog is just too darn big.
A straightforward yet effective approach to addressing a clogged drain pipe involves simply using hot water mixed with dish soap. This method, ideal for tackling minor blockages, leverages the degreasing power of dish soap combined with the force of hot water to dislodge and dissolve clog-causing residue.
For this home remedy, all you need to do is pour a pot of boiling water down the bathtub drain. Then pour a mixture of one cup baking soda and one cup vinegar into the drain. Insert the drain plug, or close the filter, and wait 5–10 minutes. Finally, flush the drain with another pot of boiling water.