Basic Training to Use Sewer Snakes
A clogged sewer line is one of the most common problems a homeowner faces. Clogs can be eliminated with liquid drain cleaners, boiling water and rubber plungers. However, for a deep stubborn clog it will take more know how and a very simple piece of plumber's equipment to alleviate the problem. Before opening the wallet and picking up your phone to call the plumber, consider trying a sewer snake to remedy the problem.
A sewer snake, or a drain auger, is a flexible cable with a handle on one end and a corkscrew-like device for ripping through the clog on the other end. Sewer snakes take very little know how to operate. When properly employed, a sewer snake can rid a drain of a serious clog within a few minutes. They can be purchased at hardware and home improvement stores and come in several lengths.
Supplies
- Sewer snake
- Rubber gloves
- Plastic trash bag
- Bucket
- Floor drop cloth or old rags
- Rubber plunger
Basic Steps for Using a Sewer Snake
- Put on the rubber gloves.
- Use the bucket to bail out any standing water. In the case of a toilet, it will be necessary to use the rubber plunger to drive down as much water as possible.
- Cover the floor with a plastic drop cloth or old rags
- Grab your sewer snake, loosen the thumb screw and pull about 10 to 12 feet of the steel cable out of the housing on the unit. Re-tighten the screw.
- Introduce the snake into the drain and pipe. Crank the snake handle in a clockwise direction, slowly advancing the snake down the drain. Release more cable, as needed, with the thumb screw on the auger, as you advance deeper into the pipe.
- Keep advancing the snake until you feel resistance to move any further forward. You have reached the clog. Continue turning the handle to twist the corkscrew device deep into the lodged debris, grabbing the clog. Be careful not to break the clog. It is better to grasp the clog on the snake than to break it up and leave debris in the pipe. If any debris is left, the clog can reform deeper within the pipe.
- Slowly pull the auger end up out of the drain, by cranking the snake in a counter-clockwise direction. Wipe the snake off with an old rag as it comes out of the pipe.
- Once out of the drain, remove the debris from the corkscrew and discard in the plastic bag.
- Rinse the drain with hot water for one minute, to remove any debris that may have fallen off of the auger end as it was removed.
- You've now learned the basic steps for using a sewer snake and unclogging a drain.
- Remember to always be especially careful when working your way up or down the drain not to catch the sewer snake on the pipe's joints. If this happens, it is important to pull the cable back up slowly and crank the device in the opposite direction.
- Don't pull or tug at the snake as this can cause damage to the device.