How to Use a Manual Plumbing Snake

A plumbing snake is the best tool to use for clear a blocked drain. The tool is simple to use but it can get pretty messy when using it. You will have to bathe and wash your clothes immediately after using it. This tool can save you hundreds of dollars that you would have spent calling a professional plumber.

How to Use a Manual Plumbing Snake

Materials Needed

• Plumbing snake


• Hot water

1. Unscrew the nut on the plumbing snake. This will allow some of the cable to loosen. Place the cable into the drain until it cannot go any further.


2. Unscrew the nut more if you need more cable. Once you reach the clog, tighten the nut.


3. Turn the handle on the plumbing snake with two complete turns. This will rotate the tip into the clog. The cable will go down into the drain.


4. Once you meet more resistance, loosen the nut on the plumbing snake and advance more cable into the drain. Tighten the nut on the plumbing snake. Turn the handle.


5. Continue to repeat steps 1 through 4 until all of the cable is used or the clog is broken up. Remove the plumbing snake from the drain.


6. Run hot water into the drain. If the clog remains, you may have to call in a professional plumber.