For plumbers, a snake is better know as a drain auger. This long, bendable metal coil can either be used manually or it comes in a power version.
Here is how you can use it to unclog your drains and fix other plumbing issues you might be having.
- When faced with a clogged drain, you should first try a plunger. Creating a good vacuum and then forcing air into it with a plunger, is often all you need to do the trick. However, every once is a while a tough clog won’t release with just a plunging action.
- Now it’s time to try the snake. Normally about 1/4 inch think, they’re made to extend down into the drain to reach the root of the clog and push it forward. At Clear Drain, we have special drain augers that are powerful enough to grapple with stubborn stuck clogs.
- You can get plastic models that are capable of getting rid of difficult hair clogs, but unfortunately those are not strong enough to crack piping if used too forcefully. It’s important when using a plumbing snake to have a bucket on hand to collect the cause of the clog. You should also wear protective eye gear (especially if you’ve used chemicals).
- To use the snake, slowly feed the snake down into the drain and use the crank to move it deeper. As the snake meets the clog the rotation of the coil will help to break up the clog and also entangle it in the coil so you can pull it out with the snake.
- Detach the debris from the coil and run the faucet or flush the toilet to make sure the drain is completely clear.
If, after all of this, you still have a clog, you know who to call!
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