How to Use a Drain Plumber Snake
A drain plumber snake, sometimes called drain auger, is a helpful tool to have around the house. Drain clogs can occur at anytime and for nearly any reason. Standing drain water is both smelly and unhealthy. That why it is important to get your drain working again as quickly as possible by using a drain plumber snake.
Supplies:
- Drain plumber snake
- Trash bag
- Rubber gloves
- Bucket
Instructions:
- Purchase the device from your local home improvement center.
- Remove any drain plugs from your clogged sink.
- Put on your rubber gloves to protect your hands from the drain debris.
- Hold the drain plumber snake in your hand and loosen the cable release screw. Pull out about 10 feet of cable and retighten the screw to lock it into position.
- Bail any water from the drain into your bucket and discard.
- Feed the corkscrew end of the snake into the drain. Work it back and forth gently as you go.
- Continue this motion until resistance is felt. You have reached the clog.
- Vigorously turn the auger handle in a clockwise motion pushing the corkscrew end into the clog.
- Trap as much of the debris as possible on the corkscrew end. It is always better to remove the debris from the pipe rather than simple push it deeper. Since another clog can develop.
- Remove the snake once it travels free. Turn the handle in a counterclockwise direction; this brings the snake toward the top of the drain. As the snake comes back up the drain clean it with an old towel.
- Grab the entangled debris and place it in the trash bag as the snake exits the drain.
- Turn on the faucet and allow the water to run for five minutes to test the drain.