Safely Use a Plumber's Snake To Fix Your Clogged Pipe

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

Learn how to Safely Use a Plumber's Snake so as to Fix Your Clogged Pipe.

A clogged pipe can quickly lead to water damage and the need for repairs. In Salt Lake City, UT, SERVPRO professionals respond Faster to Any Size Disaster, helping you avoid serious disruptions to your normal schedule. Sometimes, however, clearing a clog on your own is possible.

How To Snake Your Clogged Pipe

Clearing the pipes may be a messy chore, but it prevents more significant trouble, such as a pipe break or sewer system backup. To get started, you'll need a few tools:

• Plumber's snake
• Bucket for garbage
• Rags for cleanup
• Gloves and goggles for your comfort and protection

Most drain snakes are generic and can be used for multiple drains and pipes. However, there are some snakes specifically for toilets or showers. If you have questions, ask for advice from an experienced plumber or property maintenance professional. Once you've gathered your tools, clear the area and spread out rags to protect the floor from water damage.

Try Other Options

Before pulling out your plumbing snake, you could try other methods of unclogging the drain, such as a combination of baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water. This mixture may dissolve a variety of organic clogs. You could also try using a plunger, forming a vacuum seal, and pulling out the obstructions.

Remove Visible Obstructions

Pushing the snake into your drain often results in shoving stopped objects further into the pipes. This can compound the clog rather than clear it. Before taking this step, pull out all of the objects you can see. This includes hair, food, and other items that shouldn't be in the drains:

• Fats, grease, oil
• Soap buildup
• Hard water minerals
• Inappropriately flushed items

Understand How the Snake Works

A plumbing snake consists of a handle, a flexible pole, and a rotating auger. As you slide the snake into the drain and connecting pipes, rotate the handle. This extends the tool up to 50 feet long. As the auger turns, it should break through blockages, loosening the clogged materials and allowing the debris and the water to flow through as intended.

When you feel resistance, you may have reached a corner or the obstruction. Move the head back and forth and from side to side. The snake should turn the corner or break through the clog.

If the head is stuck or if you hear a scraping sound, use the handle to retract the snake. Either the obstruction will come back with the auger, or you can try one more time. It may be necessary at this point to contact a plumber to remove the obstruction. It is possible to damage your pipes with a drain snake, so don't proceed if you aren't sure of yourself.

Perform Routine Maintenance

In general, using a drain snake is a task you perform after a clog has formed, and it's pretty common to use the tool once or twice a year. However, proper maintenance and system assessments are important steps in enjoying a smoothly operating water system. The cleanup and repair professionals at SERVPRO can help you recover from water damage. With consistent maintenance and attention, you can avoid many clogged pipes and related troubles.