Can snaking a drain make it worse?

While drain snakes can be very effective in clearing certain clogs, sometimes they can actually exacerbate a problem. For example, if your pipes are old and corroded, sticking a drain snake down there can scrape off chunks of metal, making the clog much worse and damaging your pipe.

Can a drain snake break a PVC pipe?

If the bottom of the pipe or fittings are missing this can cause the snake to catch and break the pipe. It can also cause the equipment to get stuck. Broken PVC pipe is another issue with drains. If PVC is installed correctly there is usually no issues.

What if snaking a drain doesn't work?

If your snake isn't unclogging your drains, it could be because the thumbscrew is loose, the clog is too severe, or the auger is dirty. Or maybe you just need a refresher on how to use a drain snake. A drain auger (snake) is a simple, inexpensive necessity for every homeowner.

Is it better to snake a drain or use Drano?

If using a plunger or drain snake does not clear your clog, this is a sign that it is time to call a professional plumber. Considering the risks that come with using Drano, hiring a plumber to clear the clog for you will still be the safer and cheaper option in the long run.

Can drain cleaner make clog worse?

They don't always work. Even if you use a drain cleaner as directed, there's no guarantee that it will clear your drain. Sometimes the chemicals in the cleaner can make the clog worse since they can react with the materials in the clog, or get stuck on top of the clog, making it harder to break up.

How to Unclog Any Drain | Ask This Old House

What do plumbers recommend for unclog drains?

For the toughest of clogs, a plumber may use a hydro jet. This tool sends pressured water through pipes to break down drain build-up. This tool is often faster and more efficient than a typical drain snake. Hydro jets get rid of the clog, but they're also effective for cleaning drains.

What's the strongest thing to unclog a drain?

Experts agree: Drano Max Gel is the best overall drain cleaner because it works quickly to get rid of tough clogs. This reliable and effective cleaner is a thick gel that goes deep in sinks, pipes, and drains to reach the source of the clog and completely dissolve it.

Do you run water while snaking a drain?

Avoid running hot water while you snake, and use cold water instead. If the pipe is severely clogged, it will only trap this hot water in the pipes and damage them. Don't force the snake into the drain too hard. Doing so could also damage the drain entrance or pipe.

Should you run water before snaking a drain?

Put the head of the drain auger into the clogged pipe. If you removed the p trap, then insert the snake into the clogged drain line. If you haven't removed the p trap, you may want to run a small stream of cold water while you snake the drain line to help flush out whatever is causing the blocked drain.

When snaking a drain should I run water?

Use Hot Water

If the drain still happens to be clogged, it's a good idea to run hot water through it.

How much does a plumber charge to snake a drain?

On average, you will pay about $109 to $214 for clogs that occur in the shower, bathtub, kitchen, or bathroom. If you are looking to remove a clog from a laundry drain, then it may cost you a bit more, about $151 to $214. For toilet clogs, it may range anywhere from $109 to $273.

How many times do you have to snake a drain?

When it comes to cleaning your sewer drain, you want to do it often enough to prevent clogs from forming. Most plumbing professionals will tell you that sewer drain cleaning is most effective when performed once every 18 to 22 months.

What can I use instead of a snake to unclog drain?

Try an (eco-friendly) alternative drain cleaner.

Put in your drain stopper, turn on the hot water and let it pool in the sink. Add one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar to the water and remove the stopper. The hot water, baking soda, and vinegar will flow down the pipes and help eliminate minor clogs.

What happens when a plumber snake a drain?

Snaking a drain involves twisting a plastic or wire coil into the clog and either pulling the obstruction out or breaking it up so that it flows down the drain. These drain snakes usually have some type of claw or hook on the end to help grab the blockage.

Are drain snakes worth it?

A basic hand-crank drain snake (a.k.a. a drain auger) is a much better option for getting rid of a minor clog than resorting to chemical drain cleaners. In fact, you should never use these chemicals on your drains! If a plunger doesn't work, a drain snake can sometimes provide a quick fix to the trouble.

Should I use a drain snake?

Use a drain snake when your sink, shower, or tub drain is draining slowly or is not draining at all due to soft clogs located up to 15 to 25 feet down the line. Snaking or augering a drain can often solve water drainage problems that cannot be cured by chemicals, plunging, or by using a plastic hair snake.

How do you get a snake past the P trap?

Use a pipe wrench or pliers to loosen and remove the slip bus at the end of the P-trap. Once these are removed, insert the drain snake into the pipe leading into the wall and auger. Afterward, assemble the P-trap and run hot water from the faucet to flush the drain.

What is the difference between a drain snake and an auger?

The main difference between a toilet auger vs. snake is how they remove materials clogging a pipe. A snake is designed to pull out clogs. Augers are more for forcing through a blockage and breaking it up.

Can snakes climb up drain pipes?

Can snakes come up drain pipes? Yes, they can, though it isn't common. While snakes are good swimmers and can hold their breath for a long time, they don't often infiltrate your home via the pipes.

What is the proper way to use a drain snake?

Will a blocked drain clear itself?

Unfortunately, some homeowners ignore the fact that their drains are clogged hoping that it will unclog itself, but that's not always the case. Clogged drains often get worse over time and you may end up dealing with a drain that is completely blocked and water gushing back into your home.

Can you use WD 40 to unclog a drain?

If inserting a plumber's snake seems like a risky option, and your problem is more than what a plunger can solve, adding a cleaning agent like WD-40 is always a good idea. The good part about using WD-40 is that it gets right under the build-up and muck, and breaks it down, which helps clear the drain.

Will hydrogen peroxide unclog a drain?

This can be quite effective in clearing out clogs, but you must take precautions as highly concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can cause burns. Add 3 cups of the chemical into 3/4 gallon of cold water, stir it with a wooden spoon that you don't mind discarding later, and pour it down the drain.

Will Dawn dish soap unclog drains?

Homemade drain cleaner can break up even the toughest clogs in your sink. Baking soda, vinegar and Dawn dish soap along with boiling water can safely unclog a drain. Baking soda, vinegar and Dawn dish soap along with boiling water can safely unclog a drain.