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How To Use A Plumber’s Snake For Unclogging A Drain

6 Steps to unblocking a clogged drain using a plumbers snake. The exact steps explained. Plumbing snakes are a great tool used by plumbers for unblocking all types of drains.

Steven Bahbah By Steven Bahbah 6 min read

Encountering a blockage in your drainpipes is incredibly frustrating. Luckily, there are various ways to clear away food, grease, or even toilet paper from your drains. Some methods include using organic cleaners or a simple baking soda and vinegar mix. You might also give a regular plunger, drain snakes, or even a high-pressure jet blaster a go.

A plunger is ideal as the first step of clearing a blockage in your pipes. Use a drain snake when your sink, shower, or tub drain drains slowly. Plunging small items is quick and easy and can be used with a standard-sized plunger. A blocked toilet is another matter and may require more.

The downside to this approach is that some blockages, like stubborn food residues, might need more pressure to budge. In these cases, a tool that can cut through the clog might be necessary.

Unclog Drain Plumbers Snake

A high-pressure jet blaster uses water that shoots powerful water through your clogged pipe. The water pressure will break down the obstruction and push it through your pipeline.

A jetter usually is only used for major obstructions in your outside drainage.

You’ve got plenty of tools at your disposal for home use. Usually, a firm plunge can dislodge most small items. But occasionally, you’ll need something with a bit more oomph to get the job done.

A snake cable or drain auger, or a ’plumbers snake’, is an ideal instrument specifically used to deal with an obstruction in your drain pipes in a domestic capacity.

How does a plumber snake work?

A plumber snake is cleverly designed to navigate your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry sink drains. Its long, flexible metal cable comes with a drill-like auger on one end, and a handle on the other for easy gripping.

The auger rotates to break up those pesky blockages.

It first inserts the driller into your drain and connects the clogged drains to the pipe. You can manually insert the drain snake and rotate the handle to go deep into your drain pipe and Nothing is more frustrating than dealing with stubborn blockages that just won’t budge. While there are several DIY methods you can try, sometimes the issue is more serious than it appears, requiring professional intervention. At Fixed Today Plumbing in Sydney, our experienced plumbers are equipped with the right tools and expertise to quickly and effectively clear any blockage, big or small. Don’t let a clogged drain disrupt your day, get in touch with us now for fast, reliable service. Call Fixed Today Plumbing now on 1800 349 338 or visit https://fixedtoday.com.au to schedule your service and get your plumbing back in top shape! even reach your p trap, where most clogs are usually trapped.

Once the auger hits your clogged drain opening, it will break down the food, grease, or toilet paper stuck in the line.

Can I snake my drain?

With a plumber snake, you can tackle clogs in your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry drains. Just pick one up at any trusted home improvement store. Follow these straightforward steps to clear your drains with ease. But be cautious, using a snake without care can damage pipes and lead to hefty leaks.

Step 1

Prepare your working area by laying towels or old rage around the pipework. This is to catch any water or waste that could come out of your drain.

It is best to wear old clothing to avoid getting dirty. Cleaning out your drain is messy work. Gloves are a great way to protect your hands from soil and bacteria during snaking. Lay some rags or old towels below the drain pipe you’re unclogging.

Step 2

The p-bend or sink p trap is a curved part of your drain. It is located under the sink. It connects the sink drain to the main drain pipe. Its job is to prevent sewer smells from escaping out of the sink.

Removing this trap is unnecessary, but you must clean it beforehand as some material can be stuck. The sink p-trap can be removed manually or using an adjustable pipe wrench.

Cleaning out the p-bend or p-trap may be sufficient to clear the obstruction in your pipes and make it easier for the drain auger to work.

Step 3

It is optional to remove the drain trap arm, which is located between the main drain pipe and the p-trap. If removing the sink trap arm is possible, you’ll be closer to the main drain pipe. This section could have a clog. If you find obstructive material, use a coat hanger wire to remove any food, toilet paper or foreign material.

Do not remove the trap arm if it is glued to the wall. However, you can remove it if a plastic or metallic nut connects it.

Step 4

Start by threading the head of your plumbing snake through the drain pipe. After manually inserting the drain snake, You can run cold water whilst the snake if the trap is still connected.

Slowly continue to feed the auger through the drain. As the snake moves deeper consistently, rotate the handle until you feel resistance. You may have reached the obstruction.

Step 5

Once you have reached the blockage in your clogged drains, rotate the auger drill. This will break up any material. Exercising caution when feeding the auger snake is essential. Be careful to avoid scraping your pipe walls.

You will know if you have cleared the blockage if you feel no more resistance or when the plumber’s snake uncoils.

If the plumbers’ snake becomes stuck, pull out the snake as it is possible to pull the blockage.

Step 6

After that, pull out the plumber’s snake. Make sure to clean any parts you’ve disassembled, and then piece everything back together. Inspect the auger, and check your sink and drains for any lingering clogs.

If the pesky blockages persist, it might be time to call in the experts. A professional plumbing service can handle even the most stubborn of issues with ease.

Say Goodbye To Blocked Drains

Nothing is more frustrating than dealing with stubborn blockages that just won’t budge. While there are several DIY methods you can try, sometimes the issue is more serious than it appears, requiring professional intervention. At Fixed Today Plumbing in Sydney, our experienced plumbers are equipped with the right tools and expertise to quickly and effectively clear any blockage, big or small. Don’t let a clogged drain disrupt your day, get in touch with us now for fast, reliable service.

Call Fixed Today Plumbing now to schedule your service and get your plumbing back in top shape!

Photo of Steven Bahbah
Written by

Steven Bahbah

Steven Bahbah is the founder and CEO of Fixed Today Plumbing, one of Sydney’s most trusted 24/7 emergency plumbing companies. With more than a decade of hands-on experience across the trade, Steven built Fixed Today on a simple promise: licensed, fully-equipped plumbers who solve the problem the first time and don’t leave until the customer is 100% satisfied. His team is qualified under NSW regulations and services homes and businesses right across Sydney — from the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs to the Hills District, North Shore, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. When Steven isn’t leading the team on the tools, he shares practical, no-nonsense plumbing advice to help Sydney homeowners avoid costly repairs and keep their homes running smoothly.

Find them on their website: Fixed Today, or on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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