Do you have a clogged drain you need to fix?
If your residence has a clogged drain, it is causing unpleasant odors and potential overflows to your floors and walls. The best and safest method to restore your drain to working order is to snake a drain.
But, do you know how to snake a drain?
A drain snake is a preferred method for clearing stubborn blockages in drains. Even if you’ve never used a drain snake before, we can show you how easy it is to use.
Keep reading to learn how.
The Preparation
One of the most common and least favorite household chores is unclogging a slow drain. A hair and soap scum build-up often causes the problem.
You will need gloves, a bucket, and patience to fix a clogged shower drain. Start by putting on the gloves.
These will protect your hands from the bacteria that may be present in the clog. Then clear the area around the drain.
The Supplies You’ll Need
You will need a few supplies before you start snaking a drain. First, you will need a drain snake.
This is a long, flexible metal piece with a spiral shape at the end. It is used to break up clogs in drains.
Additionally, to properly snake a drain, you will need a drain auger, a plumber’s snake, a rooter snake, or a power auger. You will also need a drain cleaner, a putty knife, a hacksaw, a screwdriver, and a flashlight.
Pour It Down the Drain
One way to snake a drain is to pour a small amount of boiling water. Then, using a plunger, work the water up and down to loosen the clog.
If the water doesn’t seem to be working, you can try adding a small amount of dish soap to the water to help break up the clog. If the clog is still not budging, you can try using a wire hanger for fishing it out.
However, your drain snake may not work properly; some clogs are so dense that they cannot be forced through. But you can easily find solutions for a malfunctioning drain snake.
Attack the Clog with the Snake Drain
If your sink, tub, or shower drains slowly, you may need to snake the drain. Snaking a drain is relatively easy and can be done without calling a plumber.
The first step is to identify where the clog is located. You will need a sink auger if the clog is in the sink.
You will need a drain auger if the clog is in the tub. Once you have the appropriate drill, insert it into the drain and turn the handle clockwise.
If your shower drain is clogged, you can use a plumbing snake to clear it. Begin turning the handle in a clockwise direction as you push the drill further into the drain.
Continue to turn the handle in a quick, jerking motion until you feel the plumbing equipment catch on the clog, then turn it again. Remove it and flush the drains to remove any remaining debris.
Why Snaking a Drain Works
Learning how to snake a drain is a simple process that anyone can do with some practice.
The water will flow through the drain more quickly because there is no longer any blockage in the way. Snaking a drain also removes any foul smells that might be coming from the drain.
Up for more do-it-yourself jobs? Be sure to check out the other articles on this site.
