How to Use a Drain Snake

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If your sink is draining slowly, or you’ve got a clog in your bathtub drain, then it’s time to break out the drain snake. A drain snake is a simple and effective tool that can help clear out stubborn clogs. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to use a drain snake so that you can get your drains flowing freely again. Read on to learn more!

What is a drain snake?

A drain snake is a long, flexible rod with a corkscrew-style auger at one end. It’s used to clean blockages from household drains caused by hair, soap residue, and other debris that can build up over time.

How does a drain snake work?

A drain snake is composed of a flexible cable stem with a spiral head at one end. To use the snake, the stem is inserted into the pipe or drain and moved around to dislodge debris and clogs. At times, the terminal point of the cable comes in contact with an obstruction within a pipe, allowing it to be excised by taking hold of it with the outer coils of the spiral head.

Additionally, drain snakes are designed to be able to bore through thick blockages such as tree roots that may have penetrated an underground sewer pipe. All this makes drain snakes an effective way for professionals and DIY homeowners alike to clear out stubborn clogs quickly and efficiently.

The benefits of using a drain snake

A drain snake is an incredibly useful tool for any home plumbing system. It’s a long, flexible auger that can be fed into small spaces, such as kitchen and bathroom sink drains. This allows you to reach obstructions in deeper pipes and remove them with ease – much faster than if the problem was accessed through pulling apart the pipes or creating new piping.

Additionally, thanks to its flexibility, a drain snake can turn corners and navigate tight bends often found in plumbing systems. This makes it much simpler to unblock your pipes and clean out debris, saving time and money.

How to use a drain snake properly

Working with a drain snake can be intimidating at first glance, but when used properly, it can easily clear out clogs. To get started, insert the snake into the drain until you meet resistance. This is usually the blockage and the auger will start to cut through it. Turn the handle clockwise briefly to give it traction before continuing.

As you come in closer contact with the clog, push further down on the handle until it breaks apart and continues to unravel as you pull it back up. This will help remove larger items like food or soap buildup that might have caused the clog in the first place. When finished, neatly wrap up your snake and store it away for future use.

Some common mistakes people make when using a drain snake

A drain snake is a powerful tool for clearing a clogged or slow-moving drain, but without the proper technique, it can become more of a hindrance than a help.

Some of the most common mistakes people make when using a drain snake are attaching too much pressure, pushing down too hard on the handle, not keeping the snake at an angle when turning it, and using too long of a cable length.

While these may seem like minor missteps, they can break pipes, damage sink surfaces, and result in further complications that require expensive repair bills. To avoid unnecessary problems, reviewing the instructions carefully before use and proceeding with caution are essential.

Tips for getting the most out of your drain snake

A drain snake can be a great tool for dealing with clogs in sink and bathtub drains. It’s relatively low-cost and easy to use, but there are a few tips for getting the most out of it.

First, make sure you choose the right size snake for your job — too small and it won’t dislodge the clog, too big and it might cause damage. Second, wear safety eyewear when using your drain snake.

Lastly, remember that using a snake is intended to unclog a stubborn drain — if you’re dealing with rusted or collapsed pipes then you should consider calling a plumber. With these tips in mind, any homeowner—or even a well-prepared DIYer—can feel confident that their drain snake will help get the job done safely.

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