How to Use a Snake Drain Cleaner

Sinks can become clogged fairly often and easily. When this happens, water is unable to drain out of the sink. Drain snakes can help unclog sinks by twisting around the clogs and pulling them out. Drain snakes can be purchased or rented from most home improvement stores.

1. Turn on the hot water and allow it to run down the drain for a few minutes. This will help soften any sticky or hard debris like tooth paste, and make it easier for the snake to remove. If the sink is not draining at all, only run a little bit of hot water and allow it to stay in the sink.

2. Insert the drain snake into the drain. Push it straight down into the drain until you feel it push against something or it will go no further.

3. Begin to slowly twist the handle of the drain snake. As you are twisting it gently tug on it. This will help wrap the clog around the drain snake.

4. Pull up and down on the drain snake several times until you feel the clog break free from the sink. You can also twist the drain snake while you are doing this to keep the clog wrapped around it.

5. Pull the drain snake straight up out of the drain. The clog should be wrapped around the end of the drain snake. Use a paper towel to remove the clog from the end of the drain snake and dispose of it.

6. Insert the drain snake back into the drain and repeat the above steps to remove any other clogs that may be present in the sink. Run water to make sure the drain is draining properly.