how to use a pipe snake

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How To Use A Pipe Snake?

The basic process is as follows:

Push the end of the snake into the drain opening and turn the handle on the drum that contains the coiled-up snake. …
Keep pushing more of the snake into the drain until you feel resistance. …
Rotate the snake against the blockage until you feel it feed freely into the pipe.

Is snaking bad for pipes?

When a drain snake is inserted into a pipe, the end may flop around, scratching the pipe. … A drain snake used with too much force being can scratch a zinc pipe and damage the coating. This can lead to cracks or rusting in the pipes opening the door to a major problem in the future.

Is a drain snake easy to use?

Manual drain snakes, or non-powered drain snakes, are more affordable hand-held options that make easy work of clearing clogs. They are designed to be handy and compact.

Which way do you turn a plumbing snake?

Place the snake cable down the drain.

As you push the snake into the drain, rotate the handle clockwise. You may need to use both hands on the handle if you are having trouble pushing. To feel for the clog, it is a good idea to move your hands lower on the cable, about three inches above the opening of the drain.

Is it hard to snake a drain?

Knowing how to snake your own drain is important for when you’re facing a plumbing emergency. A drain snake, also known as a hand auger, is a tool used to clean out clogged in smaller drains such as the bathroom or kitchen sinks. … These clogs are generally minor and can be solved with a simple DIY snake drain fix.

How often should I snake my drains?

If your drains are clogging every month, it’s wise to get them cleaned right away. As for maintenance, we recommend cleaning them every two years, but we may suggest more frequent cleanings if you have a large household and use the sinks a lot.

How do you unclog a drain if a snake doesn’t work?

If the auger still doesn`t work, call a plumber. If you can`t remove an obstruction in a sink drain by using an auger inserted into the drain, tackle the clog through the U-shaped trap under the sink.

What can I use instead of a drain snake?

You can also make your own drain snake at home with a pipe cleaner or a wire hanger. Cut a 2-liter bottle into a spiral with “teeth” in it, which is a very effective and cheap alternative to store bought drain snakes. Wet and dry vacuums are powerful appliances with a lot of suction.

How do you use a drain snake outside?

Overview of Steps

Locate and clean around the outside of the cleanout plug to keep leaves and dirt from falling into it. …
Place the root cutting head of the auger in the cleanout access and turn on auger’s power.
Feed the auger cable into the drain until resistance can be felt as it meets and begins to cut at roots.

How does plumbing snake work?

Plumber’s snakes work by entering the drain directly to physically contact and then clear away the obstruction causing the clog. You manually insert the auger head into the drain and then begin uncoiling it by rotating the handle.

How do you get a snake past the bend in the pipe?

The proper way to use a snake is to insert the head into the drain and push very slowly without cranking. If you try to force it, it can bend back on itself and actually come out of the drain. Push gently and slowly, and if the auger is the right one for the job, it should slide smoothly through the pipe.

Why won’t my snake go down the drain?

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.

Should you snake or use Drano first?

Unclogging a drain can take as little as 5 minutes (in some cases). First things first. Don’t use Draino or other liquid drain cleaner. … Push the end into the drain opening and turn the handle on the drum containing the coiled up snake.

How long does it take to snake a line?

Plumbers take about five minutes to snake a drain for clogs located near the tub, toilet, or sink. Main line sewer clogs can take hours to snake, depending on the length and number of pipes affected.

Should I snake before or after Drano?

First the drain snake loosens the clog—then the powerful Drano^® gel clears it away! The 23-inch flexible tool bends safely through your pipes, and the Drano® Pro Concentrate Gel powers through the clog.

Is it safe to pour boiling water down the drain?

Do NOT pour boiling water down your sink or toilet.

While it’s probably okay to dump boiling water in the sink when your pipes are clear, a clog will trap the water in the pipe. This can melt PVC piping and pipe seals, causing serious damage.

What is the black stuff in my shower drain?

The “creepy black stuff” in your drain is made up of a combination of things, mostly decomposing hair, soap scum, toothpaste grit, shaving cream residue, skin cells, etc. … If you have a drain snake, then get it out and snake the drain. This is the simplest solution.

Is baking soda and vinegar safe for pipes?

Along with gravity, this pressure helps remove unwanted goop out of the pipes and unclogs drains. Baking soda, vinegar and boiling water can help clean drains naturally, but you may need something stronger, like Liquid-Plumr, to fully unclog those really tough drain clogs.

What do professional plumbers use to unclog drains?

Hydro-Jet

How do you find a pipe blockage?

Signs Your Sewer Line May Be Clogged

Dark Water. One of the signature symptoms of a main-drain clog is water backing up in your tubs or showers. …
Slow-Moving Drains. Take a minute to think about the drains in your home. …
Gurgling Sounds. …
Clogged Plumbing Fixtures. …
Turn Off the Water. …
Call a Plumber.

How do you clean a drained snake after use?

With a high-bristle wire pipe brush, poke through the plumbing snake’s crevices, dislodging any remaining particulate that the scrubbing brush was unable to reach. Then, run the plumbing snake through clean water to ensure that the coil is clean. Wipe it down with a rag and leave it out to dry completely.

Can you use a snake on PVC pipe?

PVC pipes are an improvement over cast-iron pipes, because they have smooth walls that don’t allow debris to cling, so if you have to clear a clogged drain deep in the pipe, you can usually do it with a plunger or drain snake.

Will Coke unclog drains?

Coke or Pepsi are great for vanquishing a clog! … Coke and Pepsi are loaded with phosphoric acid, which breaks down buildup that can clog your drains! Phosphoric acid can even remove lime scale and other tough buildup that regular cleaners struggle with. This is an effective and refreshing home remedy if we ever saw one!

Can I use a wire hanger as a snake?

We understand that most homeowners don’t own drain snakes and other specialized plumbing equipment, but almost everyone has a wire coat hanger somewhere in the back of a closet. Using a wire coat hanger, you can clear most clogs without having to disassemble the drain or using harsh chemicals.

How do you power drain a snake?

How do you use a 50 foot drain snake?

How do you clear an outside drain pipe?

What if I’m trying to unblock a drainpipe?

Pour boiling water down the drain.
Add a cup of bicarbonate of soda.
Now add a cup of vinegar and watch it start to fizz and froth.
Replace the drain cover loosely and let it work its magic for a few hours. Repeat until you make headway.

What does snaking a toilet do?

To clear a clog in your toilet without a plunger, or if plunging hasn’t worked, a toilet snake can help you return to a functioning flush (sigh of relief). To get started, put on a pair of rubber gloves and make sure you’ve located the water supply in case you need to quickly restrict the water flow.

Can I snake my shower drain?

Sometimes the best way to unclog a shower drain is with a drain snake, sometimes called a manual auger or electric auger. If it’s electric, you’ll need a power drill to run the plumber’s snake. … Then turn the handle counterclockwise to back the snake out of the drain. Go slowly, so you don’t lose the clog.

How do you use a plumbers snake in the toilet?

Place the end of the auger into the toilet bowl so that it points down the drain. Turn the handle clockwise to extend the auger’s cable (or “snake”) down into the drain towards your clog.

How do you unclog a 90 degree pipe?

Snake the piping with a bent hanger for close-by clogs.

If the clog isn’t too far down the pipe, a hanger might work! Find a wire coat hanger, straighten it out, and bend the tip to a 90-degree angle using a pair of pliers. The length of the hook should be small enough to fit through the drain.

What is a plumbing P trap?

What Is the Purpose of a P-Trap? … Plumbing codes require a P-trap be installed anywhere there is an open drain line that expels wastewater into a drain waste-vent system. The P-trap traps solids that can clog the drain or sewer line. The P-trap stops sewer gases from backing into your home through the drain line.

How do you use a manual snake?

A manual drain snake is a slender and long wire like structure that it could fit into any common styled drain hole. Push one end of the snake into the drain and turn the handle. This movement would coil the snake through the drain. Keep sending in the snake till you find a resistance for the movement of the snake.

What happens if you leave Drano in too long?

It can cause the porcelain to crack or the pipes to melt and burst. Make sure that you do not use the sink after you pour Drano on it. You should wait for another 24 hours before you can safely use the sink again. The product is made to dissolve virtually organic matter, so you should be careful about handling it.