How to Snake a Drain
Although it sounds like it might be a TikTok dance craze, when we say “snake a drain” we’re referring to using a plumber’s snake to unclog a drain. For those times when a plunger or drain cleaners just aren’t doing the trick, using a manual drain snake (or auger) can be very helpful, and save you a call to your plumber.
What is a plumbing snake?
A plumbing snake or auger is a long, flexible metal cable that resembles a snake and allows you to manually drill your way through a clog. One end resembles a corkscrew, the other end has a handle that allows you to rotate the coil and maneuver through clogs. They come in a variety of lengths, but for most of your needs, a 20-foot cable of between 1/4 to 5/16 of an inch will suffice. If you have a multistory house and need the snake to clear drains on the second (or higher) floor, you might want to consider a 50-foot cable.
The basic drain snake will be manual, but if you really want to go pro with your plumbing, you can consider an electric drain snake with a longer cable. You can even find snakes with cameras and LED lights, as well as cleaning accessories.
How to use the drain snake
The instructions will vary on the type of auger you buy, but some basic instructions include:
Keep things clean. Drains can get very messy. Put on some old clothes, lay down some towels and use a bucket to catch water if you remove the p-trap (the curved section of pipe that will be beneath the sink, near the wall) first. Removing this section of pipe is optional but recommended.
Make it easier. Like we mentioned, removing the p-trap is optional, but it will make things easier. First, there is a chance you will find the clog right there and not need to auger your drain at all. Secondly, it allows you to bypass the curve, which can be tricky to maneuver the snake through. If you do remove the p-trap, and even the trap arm (the section closest to the wall), you will be able to see the pipe more clearly, and possibly remove the obstruction.
Use the plumbing snake. If you couldn’t see the clog, start threading the snake either through the drain, or through the exposed pipe. Gently ease the cable through, being careful not to use too much force. Keep uncoiling the snake and feeding it through the pipe until you find a spot of resistance. Rotate the handle back and forth while pushing to help you move through the obstruction or bend in the pipe. Use a steady push-pull force while rotating the handle, but back off if you hear scraping.
Test. You can either keep trying to move through the pipes to find other obstructions, or test if you have cleared the clog by running water through the drain. Don’t excessively snake your drains or you can do damage – only use the auger as much as is necessary to clear clogs. Gently remove the snake, clean and dry, and wind it back up for storage.
Clearing your drains of clogs can be simple and very satisfying (and just a little gross). Though we always like to hear from you, if you can fix a small but stubborn clog on your own and save some money, we’re all for that. But if you do turn this into a TikTok dance, please let us know.