How to Snake a Drain

When you discover a clogged drain in your home, it can be, pardon the pun, draining. You have to figure out how to fix the clog, prevent overflowing, and then get back to a steady drain flow. This can all be exasperated if you’re expecting guests or the problem is in a frequently-used drain in your home.

A drain snake is a great DIY and professional tool that can break up a clog. Here’s how you can use it to clear a clog in your home and get back to a normal flow.

What is a Drain Snake?

A drain snake, or auger, is a long metal wire, usually with a twisted coil or hook at the end. It also sometimes comes with the ability to crank back and forth using a handle at the other end.

The purpose of a drain snake is to break up a tough clog with force, rather than through a chemical reaction, like other home remedies. When a clog is really tight and gripping both walls of your pipe, or if it contains non-organic material (paper products, metal, etc.), baking soda and vinegar won’t be enough to break it up.

How to Snake a Drain

Follow these steps to successfully snake a drain:

Insert the coiled end of the auger into the drain and start feeding it down the pipe. You may feel resistance soon, but that is just your drain trap. Add some pressure to push it past the curve.
Once you feel the clog, push the snake into the blockage and allow it to take hold. If the clog is weak, this may break it up immediately. If not, it will need to be pulled out.
When you’re confident you’ve gripped the clog, start pulling it out of the drain (you may want to be wearing gloves).
Try running the water again and see if the clog has dispersed. If not, you may need to repeat the process a few times.

Your Trusted Plumbing Team

If you’re not ready to take on drain clearing alone, never fear! From drain cleaning to septic pumps, the Brownie's Septic and Plumbing, LLC team is here to help. Contact us today at (407) 890-0116 to experience the Gold Standard for Service.