How do you unclog a drain with an auger?

What is the difference between a drain snake and an auger? Drain snakes work for smaller drains like your kitchen or bathroom sink. Drain augers tackle larger pipes like your toilet or shower drain. The snake covers lines from 1-1/4″ – 2″ range, and you’ll use an auger for lines in the 1-1/2″ – 3″ range.

Do drain augers work? If you have a clogged pipe, a drain snake is a simple and cheap tool you can use to fix it. These are advertised as devices that anyone can use to unclog a drain. But if used improperly, drain augers could make the clog worse. You could jam the obstruction in there tighter, or worse, do damage to your pipes.

How do you snake a drain at Home Depot?

Can I snake a drain myself? For smaller clogs, snaking your own drain is possible. Routine, minor sink clogs from hairballs or food remnants are typically located in the U-shaped trap directly below the sink or only a few feet deeper in the drainpipe. They may be cleared by using a light-gauge, hand-operated auger.

Is auger better than plunger? Like we mentioned above, you’ll probably want to tackle a minor clog with a plunger first. For more stubborn clog, an auger is your next best bet. To use the auger properly, situate the curved end of the auger handle pipe so that it’s facing the same direction as the drain.

How do you unclog a drain with an auger? – Related Questions

How do you unclog a drain if a snake doesn’t work?

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.

How do you unclog a deep clogged?

Pour boiling hot water down the drain. This can dissolve mildew, slime, soap scum, and other similar clogs. Put half a cup of baking soda in the drain, then pour half a cup of vinegar down after it. Let this mixture sit for an hour, and then check the drain.

How do plumbers snake drains?

The snake moves forward until it reaches the blockage in the line. When the snake encounters the obstruction, the twisting motion of the auger end attaches onto any clogs so they can be pulled back out of the drain.

Is it worth buying a drain snake?

First of all, a drain snake is a good item to keep handy in a home. 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!

Can a drain snake break a pipe?

Drain Snakes Can Damage Pipes While billed as devices that are easy to use by anyone and everyone, drain snakes can be hard to manage, and if used improperly, can damage pipes. Old pipes in many homes are galvanized, or coated in zinc, which was done to prevent the pipe from rusting or corroding.

What can I use instead of a drain snake?

If you don’t have a drain snake at your home, you can use a pipe cleaner, a straightened clothes hanger, or make this simple tool out of a plastic bottle: Start with an empty 2-liter plastic bottle.

How much does a plumber cost to snake a drain?

The average plumber cost to snake a drain is $100 to $275 for a toilet, sink, tub, shower, or laundry drain. The average cost to snake a main line is $150 to $500. Roto-Rooter prices are $225 to $500 on average to snake a drain.

How much does a plumber cost to unclog a drain?

Nationwide, the average cost to clean a clogged drain is $130-$180. This covers both the cost to find the clog and clear the drain. Most plumbing companies will charge a flat rate of $50 – $150 to come out, which also covers the first hour of work.

How do you get a drain snake past a trap?

Drain Snake Won’t Go Down Tub or Sink But many people try to do exactly that—force the cable straight down the drain opening, hoping to get through the trap and to the clog. Instead, you should take the drain trap apart beneath the sink, then insert the drain snake into the horizontal branch drain.

Can you run a drain snake through a toilet?

To unclog toilets that couldn’t be fixed with a plunger, use a toilet auger. Also called a plumbing snake, this flexible coil of wire is designed to extend into pipes and clear obstructions without damaging the plumbing. Feed the end of the cable into the toilet, taking care not to scratch the bowl.

How long of a toilet snake do I need?

Because they are designed for the toughest of clogs, the cable should be no smaller than 5/8 inch in size, with a minimum length of 75 to 100 feet in length. This snake is designed to clean out drains that are 3 inches or larger, which typically includes clean outs to the street.

What tools do plumbers use to unclog drains?

What chemical do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Hydrochloric acid, otherwise known as muriatic acid, is commonly used by plumbers around the world to clear a clogged rain. It is a strong acid that can cause serious injury if it is not used with care. Trust the licensed and insured plumbers at Dooley Service Pro to unclog your drain in a safe, reliable way.

Can plunging make a clog worse?

Why Plunging Shower Drain Made It Worse. A plunger uses pressure to remove a clog in a toilet by breaking it up and sending it down the drain. Unfortunately, the pressure from a plunger probably won’t break up a shower drain clog. Instead, it will only send the material deeper down the drain pipe completely intact.

How often should I snake my drains?

ANNUALLY. Even if you don’t notice any specific signs that your drains are having trouble with clogs, you should do your best to have them cleaned at least once every year.

How do you snake past a 90 degree turn?

The proper way to use a snake is to insert the head into the drain and push very slowly without cranking. If you try to force it, it can bend back on itself and actually come out of the drain. Push gently and slowly, and if the auger is the right one for the job, it should slide smoothly through the pipe.

How often should you snake your sewer line?

Generally, business owners should have their sewer lines cleaned every 18 to 22 months to ensure their pipes are in good condition and free from early stage blockages. This is particularly true for businesses that are high-risk due to higher drain disposal rates, like restaurants and hotels.

What dissolves hair in a drain?

Use Baking Soda & Vinegar Before Plunging It Out: Baking soda and vinegar can be an extremely effective way of dispatching many clogs, and hair clogs are no exception. For best results, start by squirting a little dish soap into your drain, followed by a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda.

How do you unclog an underground drain pipe?

Does Drano work on deep clogs?

STUCK IN THIRD. Clogs can also be caused by buildup in the third, lateral section of the pipe. Drano^® Max Gel Clog Remover is effective on these clog types as well.

How do I unclog my main sewer without a cleanout?

All you need to do is take a cupful of baking soda and pour it down the drain. Consequently, pour a cupful of white vinegar down the same drain. Thereafter, wait for around 10-15 minutes for the baking soda and vinegar solution to break up and clear the clog.

How do you use a handheld drain auger?

What is an auger for drain?

A plumber’s snake or drain auger is a tool that “snakes” down into pipes to remove clogs. Snaking a pipe is the middle ground between plunging and calling in the big guns like professional, powered drain augers. Plumber snakes are more powerful DIY drain-clearers than plungers but also more difficult to use.

What is an auger used for?

Simply put, an auger is a spiral-shaped tool that is used to drill holes into the ground and other surfaces or materials. The spiraling metal shaft with a blade at the end of the device is known as a “flighting”. The flighting rotates to scrape, cut, or siphon out drilled materials.

What kind of snake do plumbers use?

A standard household drain snake, sometimes called a drum snake or top snake, is the smallest of the drain-clearing augers. It is primarily used for clogs in tubs, showers, bathroom sinks, washing machines, and sometimes kitchens sinks. Most have a 25- or 50-foot cable with a corkscrew tip for snagging debris.

Can a drain auger be used on a toilet?

Plumbing snakes (also called drain cables) that are used to unclog sinks can actually scratch your porcelain toilet bowl. If plunging did not work, you want a toilet auger (also sometimes called a closet auger). The auger is a plumbing snake, but it has a protective sleeve that protects the bowl from damage.