PLUMBER SNAKE HOW TO

If you’re unable to remove it, then it’s time to use a snake. In case you spot an obstruction, you can try to pull it out with a hanger wire. Try to look through the drain for obstructions.

If it’s possible to remove the sink trap arm, then you’ll be closer to the main drain pipe. Clean the arm thoroughly to get rid of any clogs. If it’s glued onto the wall, don’t remove it. In case the arm doesn’t have a nut, then it might be held in place with glue. You can remove the arm by loosening the metallic or plastic nut that connects it onto the wall. It may curve through the wall as it connects to the main drain pipe. The arm keeps the trap well-positioned in place. The drain trap arm refers to the pipe section between the main drain pipe passing through the wall and the sink p-trap. Even when you fail to find anything in the trap, removing it will make the entire snaking work easier. Doing so might eliminate the problem and save you from snaking the drain. If there are any obstructions, remove them. The sink p-trap can be removed manually by hands or using an adjustable pipe wrench. It’s usually made of plastic, but some may be metallic.

It’s usually curved with the aim of preventing sewer smells from going up through the drain into your home. The role of this component is to connect the sink drain to the main drain pipe. The p-bend or p-trap is a curved component of a drain system that is found below the sink. Removing the p-bend or p-trap may be optional. The snaking process might get messy for some clogs, especially when you’re forced to remove a sink p-trap. Lay some rags or old towels below the drain pipe you’re unclogging. Wear some clothes that are meant for doing dirty work. Steps to Follow When Using a Drain Snake Step #1 As it uncoils, the snake moves deeper into the drain until the auger penetrates through the clog and breaks it up. You can insert the snake manually into a drain pipe and rotate the crank or handle to uncoil the snake. The end with the auger is what you’ll insert into the clogged drain pipe. The snake works by getting into contact with the clog upon insertion into a drainpipe, thereby clearing the clog. Most snakes used at home come with a manual, hand-operated crank or handle. The snake is usually coiled up when not in use. Plumber’s snakes used for domestic purposes measure approximately 50 feet in length. The auger comes with the design of a corkscrew or drill bit. Here’s what you need to know about snaking a drain.īasically, a drain snake or auger is a flexible and long metallic cable with an uncoiled spring or small auger attached on the end that gets into the drain pipe.

PLUMBER SNAKE HOW TO

You can avoid such problems by learning how to snake your drain the right way.

For instance, using a snake improperly can damage the pipes and lead to major leaks. However, they’re more challenging to use. Thus, if you have tried a plunger and it fails to solve the problem, your next bet should be a snake. Snakes are ideal for unclogging drains, especially when dealing with stubborn clogs that can’t seem to be removed by a plunger. Steps to Follow When Using a Drain SnakeĪ drain auger or plumber’s snake is a plumbing tool used to remove clogs that cause blockage within drain pipes.If you happen to drop the toilet it will shatter into a million pieces. Warning pulling the toilet off the floor should only be done by mechanically inclined people. If an auger does not work you may have to remove the toilet from the floor and check the opening on the bottom for a blockage. Repeat these three steps until the drain is unclogged. This will ensure that only drain snake comes out cleanly along with the items blocking the drain. Once you have found the blockage with the drain snake, pull it out of the drain without rotating the drain. If an object is encountered, the snake will try to snag it. Continue rotating the handle until the clog is encountered/ the snake handle is rotated down against the protective sheath. Step 2: Navigate The Drain Auger Towards The ClogĬrank the handle clockwise as you slowly push the drain snake into the toilet. If your drain has a cover or grill, you will need to remove it first before inserting the drain snake. Grab your drain auger and insert the end of it into the drain or directly into your toilet. Once you learn to use it, you can save yourself from extra plumbing service calls. Drain augers are typically only about $15.00 and can be purchased at nearly all hardware stores. Drain snakes have a rubber shield to protect drains and toilets from scratching unlike most other snakes and is most definitely a must for a do-it-yourself homeowner. Drain augers are a long tool with an appearance similar to a snake that can be fed down a drain or toilet to remove a blockage.

A drain auger, also known as a plumbing snake or drain snake, is an auger specially designed for removing clogs and obstructions from a drain.

Plumber snake