Tools and Materials
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How a Drain Snake Works When Snaking Plumbing
A drain snake, plumber’s snake or drain auger is a rod or cable that can clear clogs in a drain pipe. There are different types of drain augers and snakes, ranging from disposable plastic or nylon rods that let you pull clogs out of drain traps to long, flexible metal cables you operate with a hand crank or a motor to break up and remove clogs.
Plastic or Nylon Drain Snakes
A basic plastic or nylon drain snake has a T-handle and a barbed rod between 15 and 24 inches long. You’ll typically insert this type of drain snake through a sink drain or, once you remove the strainer, a tub or shower drain. The barbs latch onto a clog in the drain trap so you can pull it out. These inexpensive, disposable tools make it easy for even a beginner do-it-yourselfer to clear simple clogs in just a few minutes.
Cable Plumbing Snakes or Augers
A metal hand auger or powered machine auger is better suited to experienced DIYers and takes more time to set up and use, but this type of tool is capable of tougher work. Hand augers and machine augers have a cable that’s much longer than the rod on the disposable drain snake — from 25 feet for hand- or drill-powered models up to 100 feet for professional-grade machine augers. This longer cable allows you to clear clogs deep in the pipes.
Many augers store the cable on drum or reel that you rotate with a handle, a drill or by means of an electric motor. As you rotate the cable, a sharp metal coil on the tip of the cable cuts through the blockage to loosen it or grabs the material so you can pull it out of the pipe. Using one of these drain snakes will often require you to remove a shower or tub drain strainer, sink drain trap or even an entire toilet.
A sewer rod has the same function as a drain snake, but it’s typically a flat rod rather than a round cable.
When Should You Snake a Pipe on a Kitchen or Bathroom Drain?
There are times when using a drain snake is an effective method for clearing a drain, but there are also occasions when you shouldn’t attempt to snake a pipe.
When to Use a Drain Snake or Plumbing Snake
- A short, disposable drain rod can be a good alternative to chemical drain cleaners when you’re clearing a simple clog such as one in a sink or shower drain.
- The longer, cable drain snake is a solution for a clog deeper in the drain pipe. Chemicals and plungers won’t be effective with these deeper blockages. In fact, plunging might force the clog deeper.
- Drain snakes and plumber’s snakes can be effective for clogs such as hair, paper, grease, food and soap accumulation. These tools latch onto hair and paper, allowing you to remove them from the drain. They break through food, grease and soap clogs, allowing you to flush them out of a pipe.
When You Shouldn’t Snake a Pipe
As useful as a drain snake can be, there are times when you shouldn’t attempt to use the tool but should call a professional instead:
- Don’t use a drain snake if you’re not comfortable working with your house plumbing.
- Don’t use a drain snake if you’ve already tried a chemical drain solution.
- Don’t use a drain snake if you suspect your pipes are corroded or damaged.
- Don’t use a drain snake to remove clogs caused by roots.
If you have multiple sinks, tubs, etc. that aren’t draining properly, the clog may be so deep in the plumbing system that it’s not accessible from the sink, tub or shower. If you’re an experienced DIYer you may want to consider trying to clear the main house drain. However, locating the clog may be difficult. If you’re not comfortable with the procedure or can’t find the clog, call a professional plumber.
Whenever you call a plumber to unclog a drain, tell them if you’ve used a drain chemical on the clog.
How to Use a Plumber Snake to Snake a Pipe
We’ll tell you how to snake a drain pipe in a kitchen or bathroom by using a manual cable auger to remove a clog in a sink, tub or shower drain. The process is similar for using powered drain augers, but whichever tool you use, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and safety.
Snaking a toilet is a similar process to the one we outline below, but may require you to drain, disassemble and remove the toilet. However, if the clog is in the toilet trap, you may be able to leave the toilet in place and clear the blockage with a toilet auger or toilet snake. A toilet snake has a shorter cable than a standard auger and a plastic cable housing that protects the porcelain bowl from damage.
Step 1: Put on Safety Gear
Protect yourself from the drain water and clog material. Wear safety goggles or splash-proof safety glasses as well as cleaning gloves. Since the metal material and sharp point of a plumbing snake might puncture nitrile, latex or rubber gloves, have a pair of work gloves available to wear over the cleaning gloves as necessary to protect them.
Read the instructions that came with the plumbing snake to make sure you understand its operation. Follow any safety precautions the manufacturer specifies. In addition:
- As we mention above, don’t use a drain snake after using a chemical drain cleaner. The tool can splash the chemical onto you.
- Be cautious working with the auger. The auger head will likely have a sharp metal tip.
- Be aware that as you snake an auger through bends in the pipe, tension can build up in the cable. The tension can release unexpectedly as you work or when you remove the cable from the pipe.
- A drain snake can splash or drip drain water as you work with it, so be ready to clean the surrounding area when you finish your work.
Step 2: Remove the Drain, Strainer or Trap to Access the Pipe and Clog
First you need to be able to reach the clog. How you access the pipe will depend on where the obstruction is located.
- If you’re clearing a clog in a kitchen or bathroom sink, removing the P-trap will give you the best access. Place a small bucket under the trap, loosen the nuts on both ends of the trap and carefully remove it, pouring the water from the trap into the bucket. You may find the clog in the trap, where you can easily remove it. If not, you can use the drain snake. Once you have access to the pipe where it enters the wall, put down a drop cloth or a small bucket to help keep your floor or vanity cabinet clean.
- If you’re working on a clog in a shower drain, unscrew and remove the drain strainer to access the drain.
- For a tub drain, you may be able to access a clog in the trap by removing the strainer. If the clog isn’t in the trap, it’s easiest to remove the plate covering the overflow drain to give the auger access to the pipe. There may be a linkage system connecting a stopper lever to the tub stopper. You’ll likely need to disconnect this linkage to reach the pipe.
Don’t let the screws for the strainer, overflow plate, etc. fall down the drain. You may want to use a screwdriver with a magnetic tip to remove the screws.
Step 3: Feed the Plumbing Snake or Auger Into the Pipe
A drain snake has a thumbscrew that holds the cable in place on the reel or drum. Loosen this screw and pull the cable from the reel as you push it into the pipe. You may need to rotate the cable and use a bit of force to push it through bends in the pipe, but don’t let the cable twist around itself. Twisting can damage the cable and the twisted cable can snap loose unexpectedly, damaging the pipe or causing injury. If necessary, rotate the cable in the opposite direction to untwist it and release tension.
When you feel the auger tip hit an obstruction you can’t push past, stop feeding the cable. Keep about a foot of cable between the pipe and the housing of the auger and lock the cable by tightening the thumbscrew.
Step 4: Turn the Cable to Snake the Pipe and Clear the Clog
Begin rotating the cable. Depending on the drain snake or auger that you’re using, you may do this by turning a crank, pulling a trigger or activating a power drill connected to the auger. You may need to push or pull the cable slightly as you work. Continue working as long as you feel resistance from the clog.
Step 5: Pull the Drain Snake Out of the Pipe
If you feel the cable begin to move or break up the clog, you can loosen the thumbscrew and retract the drain snake. Avoid twisting the cable, just pull it from the pipe and feed it back onto the reel. If there’s material from the blockage caught on the tip, carefully remove it and dispose of it. Remember, the tip is sharp.
Repeat the steps above, feeding the cable back into the pipe until you’re confident you’ve broken up the clog or removed it. You may want to extend the cable its full length to ensure you’ve snaked as much of the pipe as possible. You want to avoid reassembling everything only to realize you still have a clog and you have to start over.
If your drain snake can’t reach the clog or if you’re unable to clear the clog, it’s time to call a plumber.
Step 6: Flush the Pipe
Once you’re confident you’ve cleared the clog, reinstall the trap, strainer or overflow mechanism. Turn the faucet on and run water to see if it drains freely. Continue to allow the water to run a bit to flush out any remaining debris in the pipe.
Step 7: Clean, Dry and Store the Drain Snake
Clean the entire length of the cable thoroughly, removing any debris it collected in the pipe. Allow it to dry completely before feeding it back onto the reel and storing the tool. Cleaning and drying the cable will reduce the chance of bacteria growth, rust and corrosion.
Step 8: Clean the Work Area
Even with a bucket and drop cloth, there’s a good chance some of the drain water and clog material splashed or dripped onto the floor, vanity, wall, etc. Clean the work area with a all-purpose disinfectant cleaner or a disinfectant suited to the specific surface. Follow the use and safety instructions for your cleaning product.
How to Prevent Clogged Pipes
Drain cleaning is a messy job so it’s best to prevent clogs from occurring. We’ve got some tips to help you keep your pipes clear and draining freely.
- Keep solid materials out of sink drains.
- Don’t pour grease, oil or coffee grounds into sinks.
- Scrape solids from plates before washing.
- Keep a strainer basket in place when draining a kitchen sink.
- Empty sink strainer baskets into the trash. Don’t rinse the collected material down the drain.
- If you have a garbage disposal, make sure you’re using it correctly and cleaning the disposal regularly.
- Don’t overload toilets with toilet paper or attempt to flush wipes, facial tissues, hygiene products, etc.
- Keep tub and shower drain strainers clear of hair.
- If you have a pet that sheds, consider bathing them outside to avoid overloading a tub or shower drain with fur.
- Watch for signs of slow drains. Remove and clear the trap or snake the drain before a complete clog develops.