Snake Your Own Drain with These Tips
And after a long, hectic day, the last thing you want to spend time doing are plumbing fixes.
This is when a snake drain comes to the rescue. From minor sink clogs to significant toilet buildups, a snake drain can help you get rid of stubborn grime and gunk that’s obstructing the water flow. However, many homeowners don’t know how to use a snake drain properly.
We’ve crafted this detailed guide to help you fix a clogged drain using a snake pipe in no time.
When Would You Need to Snake Your Own Drain?
The first step to using a snake pipe for draining purposes is to identify and know the root cause of a clogged drain. A snake drain is a bent, hollow pipe that can get rid of debris such as food particles, soap, and hair that can clog narrow drain passages.
If the clog can’t be removed using a snake drain, you should call an emergency plumbing service for a quick fix.
Follow these recommendations to master the art of snake draining clogged water passages!
Gather Tools for the Job
Besides a snake drain, the most important tool to have handy is a coat hanger from your closet. It’s fairly long and does the job well. A hook-shaped hanger helps in reaching deeper down the drain.
Remove the Drain Strainer
Put on your handyman gloves and remove the drain cover, AKA the drain strainer. Now push the snake cable into the cavity and twist it clockwise. Keep pushing as you twist. It’s recommended to go down at least three inches from the drain opening until you get a sense of clog’s nature and complexity.
Don’t Fear the Scratching
On your way twisting and pushing the snake drain down the pipe, you might hear scratching noise which is totally normal. After reaching the bottom-most part, you’ll feel like the pipe has hit a rock-bottom. But keep on twisting and pushing the snake drain past the curve.
Feel the Resistance
When snake draining past the curve, the moment you feel resistance, it means you’ve reached the clog that’s been causing issues in the drain. Now try hooking the clog while twisting the snake drain in clockwise direction.
Continue prodding the material until it breaks up and eventually punctures into smaller pieces.
Use Hot Water
After successfully breaking down the clog, pour hot water mixed with some detergent down the drain. It’ll rinse away the gunk’s remnants and ensure a better, unblocked water passage.
Call Our 24/7/365 Emergency Plumbing Services in Fort Worth, TX
While many plumbing issues can be fixed using handy tools and techniques, you should avoid putting your safety at risk by trying to fix complex problems such as water heater repair or gas line replacement. We, at Pro Serve Plumbers, offer quality plumbing services throughout the week. Sit back and relax while our skilled plumbers solve your residential or commercial plumbing issues.
Call us now to schedule a service as per your convenience.
