how do you use a plumbing drill snake

How to Use a Plumbing Snake

• Step 1 - Prep Sink Clear the sink of anything that is over the drain. ...
• Step 2 - Use the Snake ...
• Step 3 - Keep Rotating Until You Hit Resistance ...
• Step 4 - Work the Clog ...
• Step 5 - Remove the Snake ...
• Step 6 - Test the Sink ...
• Step 7 - Prevent Clogs ...

Full Answer

How to use a drain snake as a drill bit?

Use the Drain Snake as a Drill Attachment 1 Use the Drain Snake as a Drill Attachment#N#For a more effective job, try using a power drain snake that can be... 2 Choosing your Electric Drain Snake#N#Choose an electric drain snake that has enough cable to go through the entire... 3 Using the Electric Drain Snake More ...

How do you hook up a snake to a drain pipe?

Get access to the drain by removing the overflow assembly or stopper. Loosen the screw to your drain snake's or auger's cable housing. Use your hand to carefully insert the head of the cable into the drain and through the pipe. Using your hand, turn the manual crank or turn the motor on to feed the cable further into the drain line.

How do you use an auger on a drain snake?

Loosen the screw to your drain snake's or auger's cable housing. Use your hand to carefully insert the head of the cable into the drain and through the pipe. Using your hand, turn the manual crank or turn the motor on to feed the cable further into the drain line.

Why is it important to use a drain snake?

Whether water drains too slowly or won't drain at all, you need a fast solution to clean out the clog without damaging your plumbing. That's why it's important to know how to use a drain snake in your home.

What is a plumbing snake?

How to know if you have a clogged snake?

How to get rid of a clogged drain?

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How do you use a drill snake?

Put the head of the drain auger into the clogged pipe. If you removed the p trap, then insert the snake into the clogged drain line. If you haven't removed the p trap, you may want to run a small stream of cold water while you snake the drain line to help flush out whatever is causing the blocked drain.

How does drill drain snake work?

A drain snake, or drain auger, is a metal cable coiled into a protective drum. The cable can be up to 25 feet long. The end of the cable has a corkscrew-type spring that removes clogs in drains. Pushed by hand, the cable uncoils from the drum and advances through the drain.

How do you use a snake plumbing tool?

1:412:15How to Snake a Clogged Drain | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's always better to run the snake down through the overflow. And through the trap but otherwiseMoreIt's always better to run the snake down through the overflow. And through the trap but otherwise the process is the exact. Same who knew that a simple tool like this could save you some headaches.

Do you run water while snaking a drain?

Insert the head of the snake into either the drain (if you didn't remove the trap), or the access point on the wall. If you didn't remove the trap, consider running cold water while you snake. Don't push the auger into the drain with a lot of force, or you could damage the drain entrance or pipe.

Why won't my snake go down the drain?

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.

What is the difference between a drain snake and an auger?

Designed to clear different types of products, plumbers consider drain snakes tools that cater to smaller drains like your kitchen or bathroom sink. The drain snake takes care of pipes ranging from 1-1/4″ to 2″ in diameter. Conversely, drain augers tackle larger pipes like your toilet or shower drain.

How long does it take to snake a drain?

How Long Does It Take To Snake A Drain? 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 my own drain?

Leave sewer line blocks to the pros. Professional plumbing augers are more powerful, but even so, snakes don't clean the drain. While a snake may dislodge the clog and resolve the immediate problem, accumulating sludge coating the wall of the pipe means clogging will likely recur.

What is the best product to clear clogged drain?

Our Top PicksBest Overall Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Gel Clog Remover.Best Natural Drain Cleaner: Earthworm Drain Cleaner.Best Drain Cleaner for Hair: Liquid-Plumr Hair Eliminator Gel.Best Drain Cleaner for Sinks: Rockwell InVade Bio Drain Gel.Best Drain Cleaner for Toilets: Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Line Drain Opener.More items...•

How do you get a drain snake past a trap?

How to Get Past Corners With Drain AugersPlace the cable of the drain auger at the beginning of the drain opening.Turn the handle for the drain auger clockwise to start the cable through the drain.Pull the cable back a little when you reach a corner by turning the handle counterclockwise.More items...

How much does it cost to have a plumber snake a drain?

How much does it cost for a plumber to snake a drain? According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to have a drain professionally snaked is $220, with a range of $136 to $305.

How do you unclog a sewer line with a snake?

Your step-by-step guide: How to clear a main sewer line clogLoosen the cap on the drain pipe. ... Allow any sewer buildup to come out of the drain. ... Gently feed the auger cable into the main line drain. ... Run the auger until the clog is broken up. ... Hose out leftover debris. ... Pull the auger cable back out of the main line drain.

How do you use a drill powered drain auger in a toilet?

0:594:02How to Use RIDGID K-6P Toilet Auger - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPull the drill up to retract the cable into the guide tube insert the guide tube into the toiletMorePull the drill up to retract the cable into the guide tube insert the guide tube into the toilet drain being careful not to damage the porcelain. Start the drill and advance the cable in the forward.

How do you use a power snake to unclog a drain?

2:396:01Drain Cleaning 101 - Drum Style Power Snake - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then what I do is I just pull maybe about a foot or sole of slot out of the machine and gentlyMoreAnd then what I do is I just pull maybe about a foot or sole of slot out of the machine and gently put pressure down into the pipe.

How do you use a Harbor Freight drain auger?

0:001:25How to use the harbor freight snake drain cleaner - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt will just slide out you feed this down the drain manually until you get to the blockage. Then youMoreIt will just slide out you feed this down the drain manually until you get to the blockage. Then you snug it down so that it holds this in place and then you use the drum.

How do you get a drain snake past a trap?

How to Get Past Corners With Drain AugersPlace the cable of the drain auger at the beginning of the drain opening.Turn the handle for the drain auger clockwise to start the cable through the drain.Pull the cable back a little when you reach a corner by turning the handle counterclockwise.More items...

5 Reasons to Avoid a Plumbing Snake | ABC Blog

When you have a drain that’s hopelessly clogged, it’s tempting to grab a plumbing snake to take care of it. Also called pipe snakes, these coiled wire tools can be effective at clearing clogs, but they can also cause a great deal of damage if you don’t know what you’re doing.

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

We have all been in a situation where we had to struggle against a stubborn kitchen sink, bathtub, toilet, or floor drain clog. All plumbing systems get clogged up now and then, there really is no way to avoid it. I know I have probably used almost every technique from the hot water and baking soda to the drain snake.

What is a plumbing snake?

A plumbing snake is made to either break up the clog or snag it for removal. If it feels like the snake is getting harder to twist, remove it and see if it successfully captured the clog. If not, keep twisting until the clog is completely broken up and you feel no more resistance. It is a good idea to keep twisting the snake even after you have broken through to ensure all of the pieces are removed.

How to know if you have a clogged snake?

You will know you have gone beyond the clog when the snake frees up and is easier to rotate.

How to get rid of a clogged drain?

Grab the snake by the handle and slide the other end into the drain. You should rotate the snake in a clockwise direction as you push it further into the sink. If you feel some resistance, use both hands to keep pushing it deeper. Another trick is to keep the handle of the snake as close to the drain opening as possible. This gives you better control over the device and makes it easier to detect when you have passed the clog.

What snake to use for clogs in drain?

The best snake for clogs deep inside a drain is the Husky Drain Auger. With 50 feet of rust-resistant cable and spring steel wire, you can get to clogs a standard drain snake can't reach. It's best to use this long snake for the main sewer, laundry, or driveway drain.

What Is a Drain Snake and Drain Auger?

A drain snake (also called a plumbing snake) is one of the best tools to clear a drain line. Snakes can handle a small, 1.25-inch to 2-inch-wide drain. Augers are the same as drain snakes, but they deal with 1.5-inch to 3-inch-wide drains.

Why Do Drain Pipes Clog?

Drain clogs are a part of indoor plumbing. Most blockages are easy to avoid, but that doesn't mean the problem will never occur.

What to use to prevent clogs in drains?

In addition to snaking, invest in a Shroom product. Their hair catchers, clog cleaners, and drain protectors are the best items to use if you want to prevent clogs from forming.

What is a cable drain auger?

Cable drain augers: This manual auger has a corkscrew end on the head of a long cable. You manually turn the crank to push the auger through the pipe until it attaches to the clog. It’s perfect for clogs stuck deep inside drain pipes.

What is an auger in a toilet?

Toilet augers: A toilet auger is designed to push through obstructions in the bowl. You can use it with either a manual crank or a drill to produce more power. The auger has a flexible cable to snake through the toilet's plumbing easily.

How to move flexible cable?

Even with difficult clogs, you can move the flexible cable with a power drill or manual crank until it dislodges enough of the clog to allow water to flow down the drain freely.

Why Should I Use A Drain Snake?

Generally, a drain snake at home is used for unclogging drains. Although, with so many things passing through your drain pipes, it is no wonder that the system can get clogged over time.

How To Use A Drain Snake?

Professional plumbers use a manually operated drain snake or roto-rooter, which helps to snake out the drain easily. You can go through the below steps to understand how to use a drain snake:

Things to Consider to Prevent Drain Clogs

In the first place, you should avoid getting the drain to clog. The following are some things that you should consider and remember always to prevent any drain clog.

SNAKING DRAIN WORKS, BUT CLOG MAY RETURN

Snaking is an effective method to clear basic clogs to increase the flow of water through the drain pipes. But it is only a temporary fix. It can bore a hole through the clog, but since you are not sure that everything was removed, you might have another clogged drain in a few months.

FAQs

We are a full-service plumbing company that does all home service plumbing and sewer repairs.

How Does a Drain Snake Work?

A drain snake is also referred to a plumber’s snake or a drain auger. This tool consists of a long cable made of flexible metal with an auger (which looks like an uncoiled spring, corkscrew,or drill bit) at one end and a crank handle at the other end.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Drain Snake Use

To use a drain snake to clear a clog in a sink drain pipe, follow these steps:

Leave the Drain Snaking to the Pros

If you still don’t get the hang of how to use a drain snake or simply do not want to tackle this task, that’s OK – that’s what we are here for! Estes Services’ licensed Atlanta plumbers perform thorough drain cleaning services to clear clogs and debris, which delivers better drainage throughout your home.

How to get a snake out of a drain?

When you can’t feed the coil any more, simply turn the handle to wind the snake back out of the drain. Chances are the clog will come out with it, either in pieces or as a solid chunk. Detach the debris from your snake and test to see if your pipes are clog-free by running the water or flushing the toilet. If necessary, start from the top and repeat the process.

What is a plumber's snake?

Called a plumber’s snake, or drain snake, this handy tool’s 1/4-inch metal coil breaks up blockages in toilet, sink, and bathtub drains. The next time your plunger won’t clear that clog, wait to call a pro and try to snake it out yourself using the following steps, instead.

How much does a drain auger cost?

At your home improvement store, drain augers cost anywhere from a few dollars for a flimsy plastic model meant to pull out a hair clog to $25 for a longer, sturdier metal coil, or more for an electric model. Think of it this way: While you might spend upwards of $100 on a service call, you could put that money—even just a portion of it—toward buying your own snake for this and all future DIY plumbing work. If you don’t want to buy, you may be able to borrow one from a neighbor or rent a snake from your local home improvement center for a nominal fee.

Can you use an electric drill to break up a clogged drain?

You’ll first need to get hold of a plumber’s snake, either manual or electric. Some manual models do allow you to attach an electric drill to give the tool more power to push through and break up the clog.

How do drain snakes work?

It is used by inserting the cutter and cable into a water line or sewer that has been blocked. The cable is continuously fed into the pipe until it reaches where the blockage is located . The cutter blades then spin, cutting and chewing through the blockage. The blades can cut through clogs, tree roots, or whatever it is that is causing the obstruction. To fit different sizes of pipes, different drain snake sizes were made. The use of the power tool can effectively remove any clogs in your drain, unless it is caused by grease build up or breakages.

What is drain snake?

Reviewed by. Dawn Hammon. on May 31, 2019. Essentially, the electric drain snake is a cutter that has spinning blades at the end of a long steel cable.

How to remove clogs in drain?

1. Use the Drain Snake as a Drill Attachment. For a more effective job, try using a power drain snake that can be attached to a power drill.

How to get a snake out of a plumbing obstruction?

If you think the plumbing snake might be stuck in the obstruction, pull it out. Often, the obstruction may come out with it. If not, continue snaking until you no longer feel resistance and the snake uncoils to its full length.

When Should I Use A Drain Snake?

Drain augers are designed to tackle larger pipes like your toilet or shower drain. Where the plumbing snake covers lines from the 1-1/4″-2″ range, an auger is for lines in the 1-1/2″-3″ range. Drain augers are a long tool that looks like a snake. They can be fed down a drain or toilet to remove a blockage. Drain snakes have a rubber shield to protect drains and toilets from scratches, unlike most other snakes. This tool is excellent for bathroom drains including showers, bathtubs, and toilets. Don’t forget garbage disposals, kitchen drains, and external plumbing. It can also be very helpful for stubborn clogs that need some extra effort.

What is a plumbing snake?

Plumbing snakes are usually smaller and made to handle blockages from inside the home. They are slender and flexible, which helps remove drain clogs beyond what a plunger cannot. Plumbing snakes often have a helix-shaped hook that has a larger gap between the coils. You need to turn a crank to move the hook through the pipe to find the clog’s blockage as the user. If the blockage comprises shreddable material, then the plumbing snake should remove the clog with no additional issues.

How to remove a P trap?

You can remove the p-trap using either your hands or with the help of an adjustable wrench. Once you remove the p-trap, you should thoroughly inspect and clean it out. If you find your obstruction, then you won’t have to snake at all. Even if you don’t find anything, removing the trap could make snaking easier.

What to do if you don't have a drain snake?

If you do not have a drain snake, there is an alternative. Dash to your closet and grab a wire coat hanger.

What is a plumber's snake?

A plumber’s snake, also known as a drain snake or drain auger is a tool consisting of a hooked spring-like head, flexible cable and cranking handle that is used to unclog drains. Plumber’s snakes clear clogged drains by either hooking and pulling out the clog or shredding it into smaller pieces.

What is the best tool to unclog a toilet?

To unclog a toilet you need to use a special tool called a toilet auger.

How does a toilet auger work?

A toilet auger works the same way as a drain snake just that it is designed differently to enable you insert the auger head inside the drain and retrieve it as well without scratching the inside of the bowl.

How far away is a toilet auger?

Toilet augers are only about 4 to 6 feet. If the clog is farther away than that, you will need to look for a longer snake. In that case what I would recommend is using the drain auger.

What is the first tool you use to clear a clogged drain?

Whenever you have a clogged drain, the plunger is the first tool you use to try and clear the clog. Drain plungers will clear most clogs but stubborn clogs will need a more powerful tool like the plumber’s snake.

Why are toilet augers so difficult to use?

Toilet augers are difficult to use since they have no mechanisms to lock the cable so you need to spread yourself out wide.

What is a plumbing snake?

A plumbing snake is made to either break up the clog or snag it for removal. If it feels like the snake is getting harder to twist, remove it and see if it successfully captured the clog. If not, keep twisting until the clog is completely broken up and you feel no more resistance. It is a good idea to keep twisting the snake even after you have broken through to ensure all of the pieces are removed.

How to know if you have a clogged snake?

You will know you have gone beyond the clog when the snake frees up and is easier to rotate.

How to get rid of a clogged drain?

Grab the snake by the handle and slide the other end into the drain. You should rotate the snake in a clockwise direction as you push it further into the sink. If you feel some resistance, use both hands to keep pushing it deeper. Another trick is to keep the handle of the snake as close to the drain opening as possible. This gives you better control over the device and makes it easier to detect when you have passed the clog.