Most of us don’t pay much attention to our drains until we’re stuck with standing water in the sink or bathtub. In many ways, a clogged drain is more than just a nuisance; it causes back-ups and overflows that might eventually damage floors, walls, and personal belongings. So you have a clogged drain. Now you are thinking, “Can I snake my drain? This is one of those questions a homeowner will most likely have, and further below we will be taking an in-depth look into answering this question.
Can I Snake My Drains?
Simply yes, you can snake your drains to clear minor blockages caused by food waste, accumulation of hair, grease, or other physical objects. If you know how to work with a drain snake, you can solve minor blockages and get your drain running again. However, severe blockages from tree root penetration, pipe damage, or mineral buildup will require professional expertise. In addition, if you have never felt confident of your do-it-yourself plumbing skills, it would be best to bring in the professional, so at least you won’t be making matters worse.
Risks of Do-It-Yourself Drain Snaking
While this is a pretty common do-it-yourself fix, drain snaking does come with some risks, which include:
Damage to the interior pipe
Snaking the wrong way or using a snake on pipes that are older or brittle can scratch or puncture the piping. These minor areas of damage turn into catch points for other materials over time and begin to encourage blockage formation.
Injuries
Although rare, you can hurt yourself with a drain snake. Its tip may cut if touched, with particular consideration to motorized versions as you feed into the drain. Additionally, there is a chance of losing control of the snake while operating, mainly electric versions, which can cause injury.
Making the clog worse
Snaking a drain sometimes leaves the clog worse than it initially was. Because it often forces the clog further down, compresses it, or dislodges mineral buildup that then creates blockages further down the pipe, one should first determine the magnitude of the clog beforehand through snaking and make sure one is using the right size and type of snake. If you are not sure, call a professional who specializes in drain cleaning with the proper tools and ability.
If you are unsure about safely snaking your drain, let a professional handle the job. Licensed plumbers use unique cameras to inspect clogs and have the experience and equipment to avoid injuries and additional damage.
How to Snake Your Drain – A Step-by-Step Guide
If you decide to snake your drain, follow this easy guide:
Step 1: Place a bucket under the drainpipe to catch water or debris that may dislodge during snaking.
Step 2: Take out the P-trap for sinks by loosening the slip nuts using a wrench or pliers. Place a rag on under connections so as not to spill.
Step 3: Feed gradually, the snake cable through the drain by turning the handle slowly to release the cable.
Step 4: Feed the snake until you feel resistance. If you remove the P-trap, feed the snake until it reaches the opening.
Step 5: When you hit resistance, you’ll want to start by turning the thumbscrew to hold the cable in place and then crank the handle to rotate the drill to break up the clog.
Step 6: Continue to feed the cable while simultaneously turning the handle to push through and remove the clog.
Step 7: Once the blockage has cleared, take out the snake slowly and with continued turning of the handle to get the debris out.
Step 8: Finally, run hot water for a few minutes to clear everything and test if the drain is clear.
Step 9: Reassemble the P-trap, if needed.
In case snaking does not work, the clog is deeper inside or far worse, and you may want to contact a plumbing service to help.
Contact Rooter Man Plumbing for Your Drain Cleaning Needs
The fact of obstinate blockages is that they tend to necessitate a professional touch. When faced with a particularly stubborn blockage, Rooter-Man Plumbing provides expert drain cleaning with the most up-to-date equipment and techniques to clear even the most troublesome blockages. Call today for quick, affordable repair of clogged drains!