Project overview
Time to work: 30 minutes
total time: 30 minutes
skill level: a novice
Estimated cost: $25
Before you begin
Before Unclogging a sinkBathtub, shower or toilet, you will need a manual or electric drain auger. Some manual models allow you to attach an electric drill to give it more power to break the clog. Drain augers cost anywhere from a few dollars for flimsy, disposable versions meant to pull hair clogs to $25 or more for long, sturdy metal coils. For instructions on how to use the drain snake, refer to the steps below.
How to snake a drain with a drain auger
Step 1: Put on safety gear and start snacking.
First, put on rubber gloves and goggles (especially if you poured chemical drain cleaner down the drain before using the auger) and have a bucket handy. Enter Snake in the gutter And slowly feed the line down the pipe. It may take a few tries to proceed. Once it’s within a few inches, gently crank the handle, causing the auger to descend further down the drain.
Best overall drain auger
Ridgid Power Spin + Drain Cleaning Snake
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Photo: Amazon
Related: How to unclog a sink drain
Step 2: Loosen the clog.
As the snake descends, you may need to crank the handle a little harder or wiggle the wire to navigate the bends in the plumbing, but keep going. At some point the snake will reach a blockage. When that happens, the rotating tip will either break it as it moves down the pipe or grab the gun so you can pull it off.
If the stoppage is a solid mass, the auger head will pierce through the obstruction and resist turning. Crank a few more times to get a good grip on your snake on the clog, wiggle the wire to help loosen it, and get ready to pull it out.
Step 3: Remove the clog.
When you can no longer feed the coil, turn the handle to pull the snake out of the drain. It is likely that the clog will come out with it, either in pieces or as a solid piece. Separate the debris from your snake, put it in a bucket and make sure your pipes are clear by running water or flushing the toilet. If necessary, repeat the process. If you follow these steps and your drain is still clogged, call a professional plumber to inspect the drain as you may have a serious blockage or other plumbing problem that needs to be addressed.
How to prevent clogged drains
U.S. homeowners are no strangers to clogged plumbing: According to a survey conducted by Mr. Rutter Plumbing, approx. 20 percent of homeowners Deal with regularly clogged toilets and struggle with 15 percent backed-up drains. Use the following tips to keep your pipes clean:
- When using your Waste disposalRun cool (not hot) water to flush debris from the drain. When you turn off the drain, keep the water running for at least 30 seconds to flush the pipes.
- In the bathtub or Shower drainOnce a week remove the overflow plate and raise the pop-up assembly, then remove any obstructions.
- In the shower, remove the drain cover once a week and use a bent wire to clean out any built-up soap and hair clogs.
- Your drains should not be a dumping ground for debris. To keep backups at bay, never put any of these things down your pipes: building materials such as grease, coffee grounds, gum, pasta, rice, eggshells, baby wipes, napkins, feminine hygiene products, hair, cat litter, dental floss, bandages or plasters, and similar compounds.
Final thoughts
When you hire a professional, Cost of draining the snake Range from $145 to $300. You can save a lot of money by learning how to snake a bathtub drain and tackling this easy DIY project yourself. For recommendations on quality tools to get the job done, see our research guide The best drain snake.
This is a smart investment I made to ensure my plumbing and appliances last a long time
