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Ken Neyer Plumbing, Inc. Blog

Use a Drain Snake the Correct Way!

If you’ve never used a drain snake, don’t worry. There are a ton of homeowners out there in our area that just shut down whenever there’s a drain clog. If you’re one of those people, don’t panic, just give a plumber in Erlanger, KY a call and let us snake your drain for you.

For everyone else, if you’re looking to get more familiar with your drains and the brand new plumbing snake you just purchased from the grocery store, we can give you a few tips on how to use it correctly and avoid harming your plumbing. While many people might say that using a drain snake is self-explanatory, don’t listen to them. We all come from different walks of life and some people might seem confused at the idea of a piece of equipment that’s used to pull or fish out drain clogs.

So, let’s discuss the proper way to snake your drain!

What Is a Drain Snake?

Drain snakes, plumbing snakes, or drain augers, are usually made of long flexible material. Some are made from plastic while others are made from metal wiring. Many of them also contain a cone-shaped ending that can help lift other debris from out of your pipe system. It’s called a drain snake because (you probably guessed it) of its striking resemblance to a real snake found in nature!

Snakes can clear drain clogs where plungers or hot water can’t because their flexibility allows them to reach areas usually untouchable. They can bend through long segments of your pipe system until they come in contact with your clog.

Using the Right Type

It’s important to note that you should make sure you’ve got the right type of drain snake for your appliance. Toilet snakes are going to look different from sink snakes, as well as be made of different materials since porcelain can be scratched easily from metal wiring, but not from plastic. Also, one snake shouldn’t be used for both appliances for obvious sanitary reasons.

How To Use a Drain Snake

Here’s the fun part. Get out a pair of rubber gloves and make sure you’ve got plenty of towels around the location of the drain clog. Once you’ve got the right kind of snake and the preparations made, it’s time to get snaking.

Put the end of the drain snake into your clogged drain and keep pushing it, as well as twisting it, so it can shimmy its way to the clog. Keep in mind that it will take a combination of twisting, pushing, pulling, and overall dexterity to make sure that your drain snake reaches the clog. Keep at it! Eventually, you’ll feel a lot of resistance against the end of the drain snake since it has finally reached the clog.

At this point, you’ll have to push the drain snake through the clogged material in order for it to hook or grab onto whatever it is that’s clogging your drain. As you pull the drain snake back out of the pipe, you’ll simply pull the drain clog with it! It’s that simple!

Still having problems unclogging your drain? Give the pros a call at Ken Neyer Plumbing, Inc. today for professional service you can count on.

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