Best Drain Snakes For Different Clogs
Kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, toilets and showers are all susceptible to different types of clogs. Before grabbing a tool and clearing the drain, make sure you have the best plumbing snakes for the job.
- The best drain snakes for your bathroom sink will be able to handle daily build-up. Everything from hair and cosmetics to soap and dirt can accumulate in your sink. Because bathroom pipes are smaller, and you dont want to scratch the inside of the sink basin, start with a hand-crank drain snake.
- The best drain snakes for your shower can deal with the drain backing up. When shower drains back up, they can cause standing water in the shower or bathtub. This can cause damage and create an unpleasant showering experience. A build-up of shower products, hair and dirt accumulates in the pipes, reducing the amount of water that flows through. When a bathtub or shower drain clogs, an electric auto-feed drain snake makes a great choice.
- The best drain snakes for your sink and shower drains need to handle compacted hair. Hair can cause a clog that can be difficult to clear. This mess requires a special type of snake with a head designed to grip onto hair. Look for a head with little hooks that will catch onto the hair and remove it cleanly. Choose one with a flexible design and a comfortable handle so its easy to maneuver through the pipes.
How To Snake A Drain Using A Plumbers Snake
May 24, 2022
If youre dealing with a clog too stubborn for a plunger but youre not ready to throw in the towel yet, a manual drain snake may be your best bet. A plumbers 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 thebig guns like professional, powered drain augers.
Plumber snakes are more powerful DIY drain-clearers than plungers but also more difficult to use. They can be difficult to maneuver through sharp turns and twists. To avoid costly mistakes, learn how your snake works and how to use it correctly. Heres everything you should know about how to use a drain snake.
What Is A Drain Snake
When clogs happen, drain snakes are a great way to clear out the mess. The terms snake and auger are often interchangeable. Both tools serve the same function. A drain snake device helps move a metal cable through the pipes, clearing any dirt and debris.
Drain snakes come in manual, mechanical and electric options. However, not all styles are right for every clog. Learning the best drain snakes for every occasion is essential.
If you dont feel comfortable trying to clear a clogged pipe yourself, call a professional plumber for help.
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Tablets Can Break Down Problematic Fungi
A helpful agent in keeping drain lines clear is the drain pan tablet. Typically, you get 200 tablets per bottle.
Just pop one in your drain pan after changing your filters. It is designed to break down algae and gunk before it has a chance to clog your drain line.
Be sure to keep the bottle tightly sealed so that moisture from the air doesnt ruin the remaining tablets.
Warning: after one year, they tend to lose some of their potency, so you may need to use several at once to get the same degree of decomposition.
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Banish Blockages In Sinks Tubs Showers And More With The Right Drain Snake For The Task
By Michelle Ullman and Timothy Dale | Updated May 13, 2022 12:11 PM
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Potato peels down the kitchen sink. Loose hair swirling through the tub drain. The little plastic soldier your toddler dropped in the toilet. Clogs happen. When water isnt draining as quickly as it shouldor, worse, isnt draining at allrepair-savvy folks reach for a drain snake. A plumbing snake or drain auger is simply a long, thick, flexible wire that snakes into drains and pipes to chew through clogs quickly and efficiently. But these blockage busters come in different types and sizes, depending on the recommended use.
To help you choose and use the right drain snake, whether for a stopped-up toilet or a slow-moving sink, this guide shares tips on what to look for and rounds up the best drain snake options for effectiveness and ease of use.
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The Right Drain Snake For Every Clog
Bathroom sinks, kitchen sinks, toilets and showers are all susceptible to different types of clogs. Before grabbing a tool and clearing the drain, make sure you have the best plumbing snakes for the job. Every product varies, so read the manufacturers instructions before using a snake for plumbing repairs.
Best Drain Snakes for Sinks
Your bathroom sink is prone to build-up. Everything from hair and cosmetics to soap and dirt can accumulate in your sink, every time you wash your hands or get ready for the day. Because bathroom pipes are smaller, and you dont want to scratch the inside of the sink basin, start with a hand-crank drain snake.
Best Drain Snakes for Showers
When shower drains back up, it can cause standing water in the shower or bathtub. This can cause damage and create an unpleasant showering experience. A build-up of shower products, hair and dirt accumulates in the pipes, reducing the amount of water that flows through. When a bathtub or shower drain clogs, an electric auto-feed drain snake makes a great choice.
Best Drain Snake for Hair
Sink and shower drains see a build-up of hair over time. As the hair compacts, it causes a clog that can be difficult to clear. This mess requires a special type of snake with a head designed to grip onto hair. Look for a head with little hooks that will catch onto the hair and remove it cleanly. Choose one with a flexible design and a comfortable handle so its easy to maneuver through the pipes.
Can I Snake My Drain
Snaking your drain is a technique used to clear hair, food, and other debris from the pipe. So, can you snake your drain?
The answer is yes. But, before you do it on your own, make sure that your drain is not the type that has a pop-up stopper. If it does, you have to remove it before you can snake the drain manually.
If your drain has a pop-up stopper, remove it by turning the handle on the sink side counterclockwise and lifting it on the stopper. You may need to use pliers to help lift if required. Once removed, insert a plunger into the hole and push down with enough force to create suction so that water starts coming out of your sink again.
You can snake your drain, but it is not recommended. If you face a minor clog, you can use a plunger to unclog it. Plungers are often used in bathrooms because they are easy to use, and the suction power is strong enough to remove the clog.
If you have a more serious clogged drain, you will need to call a plumbing company. The company has the proper tools and experience required for this job.
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How To Use A Plumbing Snake
An auger is simply a tool designed for boring into something. A drill is a type of auger. A plumbing auger or plumbing snake is a long, flexible metal cable with a small, uncoiled spring on one end and a handle on the other. The auger head on the snake looks like a corkscrew. A home plumbing auger is usually around 20-50 feet long. The cable coils up into a circular housing when youre not using it. Most home plumbers snakes are hand-operated and have a rotatable handle or crank to release and maneuver the cable. By spinning the handle you rotate the coil to navigate through tricky areas.
Snaking a drain involves entering the drain directly to physically contact and then clear away the obstruction causing the clog. You begin by inserting the auger head into the drain and then feed the snake manually until you reach the clog. As the snake uncoils, it moves further through the drainpipe, until the head breaks through the obstruction. Heres a more detailed breakdown of how to use a drain auger:
Can You Use A Snake To Unclog A Drain
For serious sewage blockages, we even offer heavy-duty, professional plumbing snakes to unclog cleanouts, stacks and even main drains quickly and efficiently. Shop Ace now to take care of all your plumbing issues at an affordable price.
Can a plumber feed a snake into a toilet?
The plumbers snake or auger should feed freely into the drain once the blockage is cleared. Run water into the drain or flush the toilet several times to make sure the clog is cleared. Repeat the process if the drain is slow or the toilet backs up again.
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How Much Does It Cost To Rent A 50
A 50-foot snake is a large piece of equipment, so it is not surprising that the cost to rent one varies depending on the company providing the service.
Some companies will charge by the hour, while others may offer a flat rate for a full day. The rental price also depends on how many hours are needed and what special features are required.
Many companies rent out snakes for a variety of purposes. The cost of renting a snake depends on the size and duration of the rental and where you are located.
Some companies offer different sizes for different prices. For example, a 20-foot snake will cost around $200 to rent, whereas a 50-foot snake will cost about $800. Snakes can be expensive to maintain, and large ones require more space to move around in.
It doesnt matter how much it costs for some customers as long as they get what they need. Others may be more price-sensitive and want to find the best price possible for the size that they need.
Using Vinegar And Water
Some people believe that it is good to use vinegar to clean their drain lines. However, you should never attempt to use vinegar for this purpose. Using vinegar to clean your drain lines may damage the evaporator coil.
The evaporator coil is a highly delicate component of your system. You can find the evaporator coils deep inside the indoor air handler. Without the evaporator coil, the indoor air handler will not function properly.
In addition, the indoor air handler helps to keep the temperature in your home under control. Thus, using vinegar will inadvertently damage the indoor air handler.
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How To Unclog A Main Drain Without A Snake
Usually, people use a plumbing snake to unclog drains. It is inserted down the drain and rotated to break up the clog. You can also use a plunger and a rubber cap on a long handle that pushes water into the drain.
A plunger is a simple tool that you can use to unclog your drains. Put the plunger over the drain opening, push it down and pull it back up again. Aside from that, you can also try using baking soda.
There are many different ways to unclog a drain without a snake, but the most popular and easiest way is by using boiling water.
Boil water in a pot or kettle, then pour it down the drain. As the water goes down, it will loosen any clogs in the pipe and push them out of the way so they can be removed by hand or with another solution.
Aside from those ways, you can also try these:
- Dump water down the sink/tub drains until it flows freely again. You may do this by pouring water into the sink or tub and letting it run for about 10 minutes.
- Use an auger. An auger is a long, pointed metal device that can be inserted into the pipe and then rotated to remove obstructions. Augers are available at most hardware stores and plumbing supply stores.
Other Differences Between A Drain Snake Vs A Drain Auger
It may go without saying that drain snakes usually have a smaller diameter cable than a drain auger. Since both tools clean by twisting the accessory at the tip, a drain auger needs a stouter cable to help it torque through clogs.
Likewise, cable tips dont look terribly different between the two drain-clearing tools, but auger tips can be larger to twist into and through clogs that take up more space.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments section below!
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Make Sure Gravity Is On Your Side
The drain line coming out of your unit should be slanted at a slight angle toward the ground. This allows the natural force of gravity to pull the condensation out of the trap and down to the exit.
If your line is level, the old water will sit there until new condensation forces it out. This is the perfect environment for:
Slanting the line at even a 5-degree angle will help to keep the water drained off. Less water in the line means less sediment that is cementing itself to the walls of the pipe.
Less sediment means a lower chance of the line clogging, so your unit remains trouble-free for longer.
Of course, this doesnt guarantee that youll never have a clog, but it can help to reduce the frequency.
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How Can You Prevent Clogging Of Your Drain Line
Clogging can be very costly. Apart from the discomfort of bad odors and a system not functioning well, clogging can cost you money. You may be forced to redo some components of your system. This is always very costly.
Also, calling a certified HVAC professional to help you clean the drain line may be expensive. The good news is that there are many steps that you can take to prevent clogging in the first place.
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Does Home Depot Rent Plumbing Snakes
If you need to use a plumbing snake, you may be wondering if Home Depot rents them out or if they have them for sale.
Home Depot is the worlds largest home improvement retailer. The company offers a wide range of products and services for home improvement projects, including plumbing snakes.
If you are looking for a store that rents out plumbing snakes, then Home Depot is the right place. They have an extensive selection of rental tools to help you with your plumbing needs. You can rent a snake at Home Depot and use it to unclog your pipes or drains.
The main pro of renting a plumbing snake is that you can do it on your own time. You dont have to wait for other people to come and fix the problem. You can just rent the snake, go home, and take care of it when you have time.
The main con of renting a plumbing snake is that they are expensive for short-term use. If you need to rent one for more than two days, its more cost-effective to buy your own.
How A Drain Auger Vs Snake Work
Functionally, both a drain auger and a drain snake work the same. A drum houses anywhere from a few dozen feet of cable to 100 feet or more on some of the big machines.
You feed the cable into the drain and use a twisting action to either punch through the clog to loosen it or grab the clog to pull it out.
These tools may be hand crank, plug-in, or cordless. For many homeowners, having and using a drain snake costs much less than a service call to your plumber. Even powered models like the Ryobi hybrid drain auger cost less than a service call. The first time you use it successfully, the tool pays for itself.
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Different Types Of Drain Snakes
If you want to know how to snake a drain, the first step is to familiarize yourself with the types of equipment available for use. Another helpful point to know is that drain snakes are also referred to as plumbing augers, or simply, augers.
There are a few different types of plumbing snakes/augers available to help you.
- Cable drain augers use a corkscrew end attached to a long, flexible hose cable. There is a manual crank you turn to extend the auger through the drain line.
- Flat tape augers have an auger tip attached to a flat cable. These augers are designed for use in small pipes with a 2-inch diameter or less. This augers cable is less flexible, so it provides a bit more leverage to dismantle larger plugs.
- Power augers have their own motor, which moves the cable, or there are models available that you are able to attach to your own power drill. Because of the motor, the cable rotates faster than a manual auger, which helps to bust through clogs.
- Toilet closet augers are designed to bust through blocks in toilet bowls. They are manual crank or paired with a power drill. These augers feature a flexible cable designed for easy maneuvering through the toilets plumbing lines.
Join Our Comfort Club Preventative Maintenance Program
If all of this sounds nice, but you just dont have the time or desire to do this on a regular basis, then we invite you to sign up for our Comfort Club annual AC preventative maintenance program.
Well come to your house once or twice a year and do a complete tune-up on your system. This always includes cleaning the drain line.
And if you choose to sign up for the twice a year plan, then we will always come unclog your drain line for free, which can end up saving you a lot of money 291-1644 to sign up).
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