When you start to notice water draining slowly or not at all, it’s time to reach for a plumber’s snake. This handy device is also known as a drain snake, plumbing snake, or drain auger. Though it’s known by many names, all plumber’s snakes have the same function: clearing blockages in sinks, tubs, and showers.
Before running out and purchasing a plumber’s snake, we suggest trying our favourite DIY technique to help unclog the drain. You can find the recipe here where we share an easy way to dissolve stubborn clogs with safe ingredients that you probably already have at home.
Looking for Other Options to Clear a Drain Blockage?
A plumbing snake is a handy tool that reaches down into the pipes to help dislodge blockages. It’s the middleman between your at-home DIY or chemical dissolvents and your local Winnipeg plumber. Keep in mind, plumbing snakes are slightly riskier if used improperly – they may tear your pipes and create leaks. If you don’t want to risk it, just give We Love Plumbing a call and we’ll get your pipes flowing in no time!
If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty and feel comfortable, then grab a plumbing snake, a few old towels, and let’s get to work.
Without Removing the P-Trap: Unscrew the stopper from your sink/tub and slowly insert your plumber snake down your drain. Don’t force the snake down the drain as it could result in damages to your pipe and drain opening. Slowly start to rotate the snake at a consistent pace and when you feel a light pressure, you may have found the obstruction.
Now you want to rotate the plumbing snake head up and down, to try and break up the clog as much as possible. Don’t push the snake to the sides of the pipes – and if you hear scraping noises, you should stop and readjust. If you think the snake is stuck in the obstruction, slowly pull the snake out of the drain, and the clog should come right out.
Thread your plumber snake in the drain once again to ensure there are no further obstructions. If you feel pressure, repeat the steps above. When you feel no more pressure while using the plumbing snake, you have successfully dislodged the clog.
All that’s left to do is screw the stopper back on, clean up the mess, turn on your tap, and see if the water is draining normally as it should.
If the problem still persists after a thorough clean, consider calling a plumber. There could be further obstructions deep inside your pipes, and the pros will be happy to take it on.
A plumbing snake is an easy-to-use tool for all homeowners, once you know the proper techniques. However, some clogs are much too stubborn to get rid of with these tools, so give our local Winnipeg plumbers a call. We are experts in this field and are more than happy to assist you with any unclogging needs. We Love Plumbing is available 24/7 for you.