How to Use a Drain Snake
15 Aug 2019 Plumbing Services
Knowing how to use a drain snake can help you remove small clogs from a drain in your home. At Murrayville Plumbing, they understand how important it is to have properly functioning drains and pipes in your home. That is why they offer a wide range of plumbing services, including drain snake services.
How Does a Drain Snake Work?
A drain snake is a long, flexible metal cable with a small auger at one end that works to clear away the obstruction causing the clog through direct contact. By manually inserting the auger end of the snake into the drain and uncoiling the snake by rotating the handle, you can pass the snake through the pipe until it breaks through the obstruction.
How to Use a Drain Snake
In order to properly use a snake to unclog a drain in your home, follow these simple steps:
1. Consider Removing the P-Trap
Before inserting the snake into the clogged drain, consider manually removing the p-trap—the curved piece of pipe beneath the sink—with either your hands or an adjustable wrench. Once the p-trap is removed, make sure to thoroughly inspect and clean it out. Doing so may remove the obstruction from the drain, eliminating the need to use the drain snake.
2. Consider Removing the Trap Arm
Once you have the p-trap removed, you can also consider removing the trap arm—the piece of pipe between the p-trap and the wall pipe. Removing the trap arm will allow you to get as close to the drain pipe as possible and may also allow you to remove the obstruction without using the drain snake.
3. Thread the Auger into the Pipe
Manually thread the auger head of the drain snake into the pipe, being careful not to cause any damage. Take your time inserting the auger and make sure that the head and cable are not too long for the drain you are working on.
4. Uncoil the Drain Snake
As you begin to uncoil the snake using the handle, make sure to keep the handle of the snake as close to the pipe entrance as possible. Rotate the handle at a consistent pace, feeling for any pressure points that might be the obstruction.
5. Rotate the Head
Once you reach the obstruction, rotate the head back and forth as well as up and down to try to break up the obstruction as much as possible. Continue snaking until you no longer feel resistance and the snake is uncoiled to its full length. If the auger gets stuck in the obstruction, try pulling the snake out of the pipe to see if the obstruction comes with it.
If you would like to learn more about how to use a drain snake, or if you are interested in their drain snake services, please contact Murrayville Plumbing at 778-888-6451 or by filling out a contact form on their website.
