If none of the above fixes clear your drain, it’s time to either call in your licensed plumbing professionals, or give a hand-cranked drain snake a go yourself. Remember, this is extremely messy, smelly work, which might be reason enough for you to call a plumber.
But if you’re up for the job, here’s how to operate a drain snake. First, after removing any screens, push the snake into the drain while turning the handle on the crank in a clockwise direction. As mentioned before, when you encounter the clog, you will know it; you will feel some resistance run up through the cable. If you don’t encounter the clog, or you have so much difficulty “snaking” the cable into the pipes you feel as though you aren’t in control of it—it’s time to call your plumber. But if you do run the end of the auger into the clog, then gently pull back a little, while still turning the crank. This will help embed the auger into the clog. Now try to pull the clog back out. Turn the handle counter clockwise and be ready to clean up the mess.
Sometimes, however, it’s too difficult to pull an obstinate clog back up the pipe. In this case, use the auger to break it up. It’s like you’re punching holes in the clog with the drain snake. Then use a lot of hot water, to flush it all down and out of your pipes.
A drain snake can be a very handy tool, especially for naturally handy homeowners, but they do take skill to use, and as you can see from these posts, pose their own challenges. If you feel confident about using one, drop by your local hardware store today to buy a drain snake. But if you don’t feel up to the task, or if the clog is so big or so far down the pipe an electrically powered snake is called for, then make sure you have a licensed plumber come in for the job.
But if you’re up for the job, here’s how to operate a drain snake. First, after removing any screens, push the snake into the drain while turning the handle on the crank in a clockwise direction. As mentioned before, when you encounter the clog, you will know it; you will feel some resistance run up through the cable. If you don’t encounter the clog, or you have so much difficulty “snaking” the cable into the pipes you feel as though you aren’t in control of it—it’s time to call your plumber. But if you do run the end of the auger into the clog, then gently pull back a little, while still turning the crank. This will help embed the auger into the clog. Now try to pull the clog back out. Turn the handle counter clockwise and be ready to clean up the mess.
Sometimes, however, it’s too difficult to pull an obstinate clog back up the pipe. In this case, use the auger to break it up. It’s like you’re punching holes in the clog with the drain snake. Then use a lot of hot water, to flush it all down and out of your pipes.
A drain snake can be a very handy tool, especially for naturally handy homeowners, but they do take skill to use, and as you can see from these posts, pose their own challenges. If you feel confident about using one, drop by your local hardware store today to buy a drain snake. But if you don’t feel up to the task, or if the clog is so big or so far down the pipe an electrically powered snake is called for, then make sure you have a licensed plumber come in for the job.
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