Sometimes, plumbing becomes clogged to a point where only a special tool can unclog it. One of these tools is called a plumber’s snake, and it is specifically designed to clear out blockages in pipes. We will discuss how to use one in this post.
What Is A Plumber’s Snake?
A plumber’s snake, also known as a drain snake or drain auger, is a tool used to clear obstructions from pipelines. Between domestic plungers and the very large weapons like rooters, snakes are the intermediate ground.
The plumber’s snake is a long, flexible piece of metal that can be inserted into the pipe to reach the clog.
A snake may be your best choice if you’re dealing with a blockage that’s too obstinate for a plunger but you’re not ready to give up yet.
Snakes are more powerful than plungers, but they’re also more difficult to operate. You risk breaking up your pipes or causing leaks if you use your plumber’s snake incorrectly. Learn how your snake works and how to use it properly to prevent this. Everything you need to know about utilizing a plumber’s snake is right here.
What Is The Function Of A Plumber’s Snake?
Plumber’s snakes function by physically contacting and clearing the blockage that is creating the clog in the drain. By manually inserting the auger head into the drain and turning the handle, you may begin uncoiling it. The snake goes further down the drainpipe as it uncoils, until the head bursts through the barrier.
What Exactly Is An Auger?
An auger is a tool that is used to bore into anything. A sort of auger is a drill. A plumbing auger, also known as a plumbing snake, is a long, flexible metal cable with a handle on one end and a tiny, uncoiled spring on the other. The snake’s auger head resembles a corkscrew. Snakes used by home plumbers are typically 50 feet long. When you’re not using it, the cable coils up. The majority of home plumber’s snakes are controlled by hand and include a rotating handle or crank for releasing and retrieving the cable.
What Is The Best Way To Utilize A Plumber’s Snake?
- Put on some old towels underneath the pipes you’re working on and put on some clothing you don’t mind getting muddy. Your snaking operation may get filthy depending on the condition of the obstruction. This is particularly true if you decide to remove the p-trap.
- Optionally, get rid of the p-trap. The p-trap, also known as the p-bend, is the curving pipe under the sink. It links your sink to your home’s larger drainage system. The curved shape is to prevent sewage gases from rising up through the sink and into the house. P-traps are often built of PVC pipe, although they may also be made of metal. The p-trap may be manually removed with your hands or with the aid of an adjustable wrench. After you’ve removed the p-trap, check and clean it completely. You may not need to snake at all if you’ve located your obstacle. Even if nothing is found, eliminating the trap makes snaking much simpler.
- Consider eliminating the trap arm if you want to. The pipe between the p-trap and the real wall pipe is known as a trap arm. It secures the p-trap and may curve once more to reach the wall. Look for a nut that connects the trap arm to the wall, either plastic or metal. To remove the trap arm, loosen it if you can locate one. If you can’t, it’s conceivable the arm is glued in place; in that case, don’t try to remove it. When you remove the trap arm, wipe it out the same way you cleaned the p-trap. Removing the trap arm allows you to have the most access to the drainpipe. Look for any obstacles within the drainpipe. If you can see the impediment, attempt to get it out of the way. If you can’t, you’ll have to resort to using your snake.
- Thread the snake’s auger head into the pipe by hand. If you didn’t remove the trap, insert the snake’s head into the drain or the access port on the wall. If you didn’t remove the trap, try snake-snapping while running cold water. If you use too much power to drive the auger down the drain, you risk damaging the drain entry or pipe. Be patient, and make sure the head and cable aren’t too large for the drain you’re snake-snapping.
- Using the handle, start uncoiling the snake. Keep the snake’s handle as near to the pipe’s opening as feasible. The more power you send into the pipe, the less slack the auger has. Rotate the handle at a steady speed. Don’t attempt to speed things up or spin too slowly. You may have met the blockage if you sense pressure as the cable is moving through the pipe.
- Move or spin the head back and forth and up and down after you’ve reached the barrier. Break up the impediment as fully as possible, but avoid jamming the auger into the pipe’s walls. You should stop snaking and re-adjust if you hear scraping sounds. Consider removing the snake out of the pipe if you suspect the auger is trapped in the obstacle. It’s possible that the blockage will come out with it in certain circumstances. Continue snaking until the snake uncoils to its full length and you no longer sense resistance.
- Reassemble the sink components after removing the snake. Check for any remnants of the blockage in the auger head and clean it off. If you removed the trap arm and p-trap, now is the time to re-install them.
- Examine the sink. The snake should have been able to clear the blockage and cure the clogging issue. If the obstruction persists, you may try repeating the snaking procedure. However, much like plunging, snaking your pipes or drains too often might cause damage. If a thorough snaking hasn’t resolved your issue, it’s time to bring in the professionals.
Snaking is a surprisingly simple and accessible job for the average homeowner. You should be able to clear blockages from your sink, bathtub, or toilet as long as you know how to utilize your snake.
For when you simply can’t seem to get rid of that clog, no matter how hard you try. Don’t give up! After you’ve got your snake, you’ll need to contact Mike Diamond. Outside of Los Angeles traffic, we have the resources and know-how to locate and clear any blockage.
The “diy drain snake” is a tool that can be used to clear clogs in pipes. It is usually made from copper wire or plastic hose. The tool has a long handle and a looped piece of pipe at the end, which attaches to the clog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use a plumbing snake?
A: The most common way to use a plumbing snake is by using the handle and then wrapping it around your arm. You should be careful when doing this so that you dont get hurt, because there are sharp edges on the end of each part of the pipe.
Can a drain snake break a pipe?
A: No, a pipe cannot be broken with the use of a drain snake.
Is a drain snake easy to use?
A: Yes, if you know the right way to use one, they are very easy to use.
There are ways to save money on your water bill while also helping the environment. Find out more in The Best Water Efficient Faucets For Your Home.
Related Tags
- how to use a plumbing snake toilet
- how to use a drain snake outside
- how to snake a drain
- how to use a drain snake with a drill
- how does a drain snake work