Drain Repair: How to Properly Use a Plumbing Snake

Let's face it: clogged drains are an unavoidable part of life. Fortunately, there are several ways to handle them, depending on the severity of the clog. If you notice a clog early on, you may be able to resolve it with simple drain cleaning or a good plunger. If you end up with a severely clogged or even blocked drain, you may want to try a plumbing snake or auger Tankless water heaters.

A plumbing snake is an extremely useful tool, but it's also one that can cause additional damage to a plumbing system, especially in the hands of someone who's inexperienced. Below, you'll find some guidelines for correctly and safely using a plumbing snake.

When NOT to Use a Plumbing Snake

Before pulling out this handy drain cleaning tool, you should first be aware that not every drain can be safely cleared with a plumbing snake. There are certain situations in which you shouldn't use one, including:

If you have galvanized pipes. Typically found in older homes, galvanized pipes are made of material that can flake off inside the pipe itself. A plumbing snake could make this problem worse. Also, galvanized pipes are weaker than newer types of plumbing materials and can't always hold up against the movement of a plumbing snake, which means you may end up needing major drain repair. If your drain lines are galvanized and clogging frequently, it may be time to consider replacement of those lines.

If you've used a commercial drain cleaner. If your first attempt to clear the drain involved a commercial drain cleaner, a plumbing snake can cause the chemicals to splash back up, potentially injuring you. If you call your local Portland plumber for help with clogged or blocked drains and have used chemicals, always let the plumber know so he or she can bring protective materials.

Proper Pluming Snake Technique

If you decide a plumbing snake can be safely used, put on your junkiest clothes and lay some old towels around your workspace. You should also wear rubber gloves for this process. A few things to keep in mind:

* Start with the smallest snake and only graduate to larger snakes if you can't clear the clog initially.
* Insert the coiled end of the snake into the clogged drain and turn the crank slowly clockwise, advancing the snake. Allow the snake to find its own way through the pipes - don't force it.
* If it gets hard to turn the handle, reverse the crank, pull out the snake and clean it - have a bucket handy to put any debris in.
* Once you find the clog, don't force the snake. Instead, try to use the snake to "grab" the clog and pull it out. It's better to clear the clog completely then to push it further down the drain.
* Re-insert the snake, and continue with the drain cleaning until it's clear.

This can be a messy project, but it's one you should be able to accomplish. If you have a stubborn clog, it may be time to call your local Portland plumber.