How to Unclog a Drain with a Drain Snake

Nothing is more frustrating than having standing water in your kitchen sink or a foul smell coming from your shower drain. Our first instinct when we encounter a clogged drain is to reach for a liquid drain cleaner to loosen the blockage and flush it away with hot water. While chemical drain cleaners are touted as an effective drain cleaning method, they can damage your pipes and contaminate water sources.

If you’ve tried plunging, baking soda and vinegar, and boiling water with no success, it’s time you try dislodging the clog using a drain snake. Before you call a plumber, you can try this DIY solution to clear your clogged drain. Also known as a plumbing snake, a drain snake is a long, flexible tool used to unclog showers, bathtubs, washing machines, and sometimes kitchen sinks. This tool is very effective at clearing clogs that are too big for a plunger. It is easy to use, eco-friendly, and less likely to damage pipes.

How Does A Drain Snake Work?

A drain snake works by forcing a sharp end into a drain line and turning it to break up or push through the blockage. The snake cable has a sharp end that can penetrate through tough clogs, such as hair, soap scum, and grease. The handle allows you to feed the cable into the drain and rotate it to break up the clog. It’s a good idea to have a drain snake in your toolkit to tackle minor clogs before they escalate into major plumbing issues.

How to Use a Drain Snake in Simple Steps

Step 1: Insert the Snake into the Drain

Put on gloves and gently insert the tip of the snake into the drain opening. Apply moderate pressure as you insert the cable to avoid damaging the drain lines.

Step 2: Rotate the Handle to Uncoil the Snake

Grab the handle and slowly turn it clockwise to feed the cable into the drain. You may encounter some resistance as you reach the bend in the pipe. Apply gentle pressure and continue to feed the cable slowly and steadily. If the cable stops, try rotating it slightly in both directions to help it maneuver through the bend.

Step 3: Break Up the Clog

Once you feel resistance, you've likely reached the clog. Continue feeding the cable and rotating it vigorously to break up the blockage. You may need to apply more pressure to dislodge stubborn clogs.

Step 4: Retract the Cable

Once you feel the cable passing through the clog, slowly retract it. Clean the drain snake and the drain opening to remove any debris. If you’re unsuccessful, get in touch with a trusted plumbing service for help.

Step 5: Flush the Drain with Hot Water

After you've successfully cleared the clog with the drain snake, flush the drain with hot water. This helps to clear any remaining debris and ensures that the drain is flowing freely. Flushing your drains with boiling water at least once every two weeks is recommended to prevent clogs and maintain proper drainage.

When to Call a Plumbing Repair Service

If a drain snake doesn’t work, it means there’s a stubborn clog lodged in the drain line. A severe clog may need the intervention of a skilled and experienced plumber specializing in clogged drain line repair in Red Oak. Here at Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we take great pride in providing reliable clog removal services. Contact us today if you need help with clearing drain clogs.