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Medium. Both the 5/16″ (7.94 mm) and 3/8″ (9.53 mm) snakes are considered medium sized. They are most suitable for use in 2″ (50.8 mm) drain pipes.
How big of a drain snake 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.
Can snaking a drain damage pipes?
When a drain snake is inserted into a pipe, the end may flop around, scratching the pipe. A drain snake used with too much force being can scratch a zinc pipe and damage the coating. This can lead to cracks or rusting in the pipes opening the door to a major problem in the future.
Can I use a drain snake on PVC pipe?
PVC pipes are an improvement over cast-iron pipes, because they have smooth walls that don’t allow debris to cling, so if you have to clear a clogged drain deep in the pipe, you can usually do it with a plunger or drain snake.
How long is a sewer snake?
Home plumber’s snakes are usually around 50 feet long. The cable coils up when you’re not using it. Most home plumber’s snakes are hand-operated and have a rotatable handle or crank to release and retrieve the cable.
How much do drain snakes cost?
The average plumber cost to snake a drain is $100 to $275 for a toilet, sink, tub, shower, or laundry drain. The average cost to snake a main line is $150 to $500. Roto-Rooter prices are $225 to $500 on average to snake a drain.Cost To Snake A Drain. Type Average Cost Severe Clog Requiring Hydro Jetting $250 – $800.
How far should a drain be from a snake?
When to Snake a Drain Use a drain snake when your sink, shower, or tub drain is draining slowly or is not draining at all due to soft clogs located up to 15 to 25 feet down the line.
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. Set a bucket under the trap.
Can you snake a toilet with a drain snake?
A drain snake is a long, retractable metal cable that you wind down into a drain to either grab the material causing the clog, or force it through. A toilet snake is a type of drain snake made specifically for use on toilets.
Can you use Drano in a PVC pipe?
Drano® will not damage pipes or plumbing. Drano® products are powerful enough to dissolve nasty clogs, but they will not harm your plastic or metal pipes, so there’s no need to worry. All Drano® products are safe and can be used with plastic pipes or metal pipes.
Can you pour boiling water down PVC pipes?
Do NOT pour boiling water down your sink or toilet. This can melt PVC piping and pipe seals, causing serious damage. However, this likely won’t accomplish much with more severe clogs, as all the fizzing reaction does is shift around whatever is clogging the pipe.
Can you Roto Rooter PVC pipe?
It may be clay, PVC or thin wall plastic corrugated tubing. Roots get into pipes and then widen the opening as they grow. The best thing to do is to run a camera down the line to examine the damage and determine the type of pipe you have. Roto-Rooter can provide all of these services.
What dissolves tree roots in sewer lines?
Copper sulfate is a natural herbicide and will kill off the small tree roots invading your sewer pipes. Flushing half a cup of the crystals down the toilet should do the trick.
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 I unclog my main sewer without a cleanout?
Use a Plunger to Clear a Main Drain Clog Choose a toilet on the ground floor. Tape over the tub, sink and shower drains with duct tape. Get a bellows or force-ball plunger, insert it in the toilet bowl, let it fill with water and then plunge away.
What lengths do plumbing snakes come in?
Major types of sewer cables & drain snakes DRAIN TYPE PIPE SIZE RECOMMENDED CABLE SIZE BATHTUB 1-1/2″ — 2″ 1/4″ OR 5/16″ SHOWERS 2″ — 3″ 5/16″, 3/8″ OR 13/32″ FLOOR DRAIN 3″ OR MORE 3/8″, 13/32″, 1/2″, 5/8″, 3/4″ OR 0.55″ FLOOR DRAIN 4″ — 5″ 1/2″, 5/8″, 3/4″, 0.55″ OR 0.66″.
How do you unclog a sewer line?
Are you a home owner? Step 1: Loosen the cap on the drain pipe. Step 2: Open the cap and let the buildup drain out. Step 3: Feed the auger cable into the drain pipe. Step 4: Run the auger until the clog is clear—and beyond. Step 5: Hose down the pipe and auger cable. Step 6: Slowly pull the auger back out of the pipe.
How do you use a plumber’s snake?
Steps for using a drain auger Push the end of the snake into the drain opening and turn the handle on the drum that contains the coiled-up snake. Keep pushing more of the snake into the drain until you feel resistance. Rotate the snake against the blockage until you feel it feed freely into the pipe.
