Tips On How To Use A Plumber's Snake

By Scott Rodgers

The frequently occurring problem of clogged drains can be diagnosed and fixed if proper measures are adopted from the very onset. Instead of making way for a plumber straightaway, you can yourself unclog the drainage pipe and the associated plumbing component by making use of some basic plumbing tools.

When it comes to the problem of clogged drains and traps, the basic plumbing tools such as plungers and augers (plumber' snake) can save the day for you. Though it is always a better idea to employ an appropriate plumber's snake prior to a plunger as the plungers normally disturb the sanitation of the toilet to a large extent.

A plumbing drain snake is a plumbing device that is used to unblock the drainage pipes, traps, vents etc. It comprises of a tightly wound metal cable that reaches out to an underlying clog in a particular pipe. One end of the cable has an arm to handle the tool well. The other end of the cable is the business end that is inserted into the affected drainage or vent to explore the clogs.

There are two types of plumber's snake that are employed in plumbing assignments, the drain snakes and the closet snakes. The drain snakes owing to their lengthy metal cable and efficiency, are the popular choice of the plumbers whereas the closet snakes (or closet augers) possess a shorter metal cable in order to locate the clogs lying at a moderate depth.

Put on the gloves with non-slippery grip in order to handle the snake's arm well. Take the crank end of the snake in your hand and insert the other end into the drainage fixture. Gradually push the snake further into the pipe while turning the arm clockwise. This particular action would enhance the effectiveness of the tool and would provide better output.

Sometimes the handle doesn't turn after a while. In such a case, take out the snake completely from the plumbing setup and clean off it's corkscrew end.

Once snake is cleaned well, reinsert it into the pipe or vent. Repeat the same procedure to unblock the plumbing component completely.

If however the plumbing project faces any unforeseen complications then the services of a plumber can always be availed. - 30517

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