What is a Drain Snake?

A drain snake is a tool that can help you unclog drains in your home or business. They are also called hand-cranked augers or sewer augers. There are two types: Hand-cranked and motorized. Both types have the same basic functionality: to unclog drains, they work by feeding water through an auger cable.

Hand-cranked augers

Before you can use a hand-cranked auger for drain snake, you should remove the trap arm from the drain pipe. This will give you the best access to the pipe. You should then thread the snake head into the drain. Once it has reached the appropriate place in the drain, it should rotate against the clog. If the snake does not move, it is likely because there is a bend or obstruction in the pipe.

A hand-cranked auger for drain snake is an affordable alternative to a professional plumber. The tool features a cable that you feed into the drain and twists to loosen the clog. These hand-cranked augers are available in hand crank, plug-in, and cordless models. Even though they are more expensive than drain snakes and drain snake services, their initial cost will pay for themselves once you use them once.

Sewer augers

Sewer augers are professional-grade machines used to clear sewer pipes and buried drains. They typically contain a cable that’s 5/8 or 3/4 inches in diameter and are powered by an electric motor. The auger’s blades are sharp and designed to tear through obstructions. They can be used in either a continuous or sectional pipe.

Sewer augers come in two types: manual and electric. Manual augers are less expensive, but they’re not as sturdy or efficient as their electric counterparts. Electric augers have a rotary motor with a belt drive spool. Manual augers have a crank or foot pad to operate.

Flat tape augers

There are different types of drain snakes. Most are cable-based, meaning that they have a cable wrapped around a corkscrew object that you can turn to clear a clog. These are best for drains with small water pipes, but they can be used for general drain clogs as well.

The cable-based snakes can be either manual or electric. To use a snake, simply turn the manual crank or motor until the head of the snake reaches the clog. While the snake is feeding through the clog, you may feel resistance from the clog. If this is the case, tighten the cable housing screw and the auger will continue to rotate. It will also apply a little pressure to feed deeper into the clog.

Hand-cranked snakes

Hand-cranked drain snakes are handy tools to clear drains. The snake’s flexible head slides into the drain pipe and can be turned and rotated to reach the clog. Some models also come with a grabbing tool. These tools have claws that open and close to grasp the mass trapped in the pipe.

Another option for clogging drains is an electric drain auger. These devices are battery-powered and use a 25-foot reinforced flexible steel cable. They can clear clogs in drain pipes that are two inches in diameter or less. Although these tools are less flexible than hand-cranked drain snakes, they can clear significant obstructions from small drain pipes.

P-Traps

When you’re using drain snakes to clear clogs in your pipes, you should always first remove the P-Trap. The P-Trap is a trap that connects your drain pipe to the main drain stack in the wall. Once the trap arm is free of any obstructions, you can insert the auger into the drain. Plumber near you When you’re finished, make sure to replace the p-trap and the trap arm. Don’t use drain snakes too often, though, as it could be hard on your pipes and drains.

The P-Trap is held in place by slip nuts located on the top and bottom of the trap. Loosen these nuts with your fingers, or you can use a plumbing wrench or adjustable pliers. The P-Trap can be removed by sliding the nuts out of the trap.