QA

Quick Answer: How To Use A Snake Auger

How do you use auger snake?

How to Use a Drain Auger Step One: Insert the Drain Auger. Grab your drain auger and insert the end of it into the drain or directly into your toilet. Step 2: Navigate The Drain Auger Towards The Clog. Crank the handle clockwise as you slowly push the drain snake into the toilet. Step Three: Pull the Drain Auger Out.

What is the difference between an auger and a snake?

Drain snakes work for smaller drains like your kitchen or bathroom sink. Drain augers tackle larger pipes like your toilet or shower drain. The snake covers lines from 1-1/4″ – 2″ range, and you’ll use an auger for lines in the 1-1/2″ – 3″ range.

Can’t get the snake down the drain?

Too much force – When you’re trying to dislodge a blockage, it can be tempting to try and force a snake cable through the drain too fast. If you force it, sometimes the cable can bend back on itself or kink. Instead of forcing the cable, extend the snake cable a few inches at a time until you reach the clog.

How do you get a snake past the P trap?

The proper way to use a snake is to insert the head into the drain and push very slowly without cranking. If you try to force it, it can bend back on itself and actually come out of the drain. Push gently and slowly, and if the auger is the right one for the job, it should slide smoothly through the pipe.

How do you unclog drains?

Follow these easy steps to unclog your drain: Start by pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain. Next, pour a cup of baking soda and 1 cup water/1 cup vinegar solution. Cover with the drain plug and wait 5 to 10 minutes. Pour boiling water down the drain again.

Can a toilet auger be used on a sink?

If you’ve got a clogged toilet, opt for a toilet auger. They’re specifically designed to handle tough clogs in plumbing. You should only use a drain snake if an auger just isn’t an option. But if you’ve got a sink or bathtub clog, put the auger away.

Can you use a regular auger on a toilet?

Important: to avoid scratching the visible ceramic surface inside a toilet bowl, do not insert a handheld drum auger directly into the toilet. This is a good next choice, since the auger can break through many clogs that are further away from the toilet.

How do you unclog a drain if a snake doesn’t work?

If the auger still doesn`t work, call a plumber. If you can`t remove an obstruction in a sink drain by using an auger inserted into the drain, tackle the clog through the U-shaped trap under the sink.

Can snaking a drain make it worse?

If you have a clogged pipe, a drain snake is a simple and cheap tool you can use to fix it. These are advertised as devices that anyone can use to unclog a drain. But if used improperly, drain augers could make the clog worse. You could jam the obstruction in there tighter, or worse, do damage to your pipes.

Can a drain snake break a pipe?

Drain Snakes Can Damage Pipes While billed as devices that are easy to use by anyone and everyone, drain snakes can be hard to manage, and if used improperly, can damage pipes. Old pipes in many homes are galvanized, or coated in zinc, which was done to prevent the pipe from rusting or corroding.

What happens if a toilet auger doesn’t work?

You need to make sure that you’ve securely tightened thumbscrew(the piece that secures the cable inside the drum or handle). If the thumbscrew is loose, the cable will not rotate at all when you twist the handle. The cable rotation is how the drain snake picks up debris, so if it can’t do this, your auger won’t work.

How do you unclog a 90 degree pipe?

Snake the piping with a bent hanger for close-by clogs. Find a wire coat hanger, straighten it out, and bend the tip to a 90-degree angle using a pair of pliers. The length of the hook should be small enough to fit through the drain. Push the hooked end down the drain and into the piping as far as you can.

How long of a drain auger do I need?

Because they are designed for the toughest of clogs, the cable should be no smaller than 5/8 inch in size, with a minimum length of 75 to 100 feet in length. This snake is designed to clean out drains that are 3 inches or larger, which typically includes clean outs to the street.

Why is my drain still clogged?

Most bathroom drain clogs result when dirt, skin flakes, and especially hair binds to soap scum on the walls of drain pipes. Over time, this gunk accumulates and reduces water flow. Troubleshooting: Remove and clean the drain stopper. If that doesn’t work, remove the drain elbow joint and clean it out.