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We all have a long list of projects and renovations we’d love to do around the home. Instead, we face a dozen different breaks and clogs that need our attention, taking up both time and money.
To get back to the fun parts of homeownership, you need to know how to use a drain snake to get things like sink and toilet clogs out of your hair and fast!
Let’s break down the basics and turn you into a clog removal expert!
How to Use a Drain Snake
There are many answers to clogged drains but one of the most direct answers uses the power of the drain snake. This simple device uses a long, extendable metal cable and a handle to extend it.
Follow these steps for easy clog removal!
1. Snake Setup
Place the metal cable of the snake into the clogged drain. Make sure that you push the cable as deep as you can go at first. This will give you better overall reach when trying to hit the clog.
If the clog is much farther down the pipes and you can identify the pipe it is in, shut off the water and remove the pipe section right before the clog. This process may be too large for a simple drain snake.
2. Handle Rotation
Once the metal cable is in place, rotate the handle of your drain snake clockwise. This will extend the snake further down the drain.
Some snakes will come with extendable claws to help move the clogged material when it reaches it.
3. Push and Pull
When the snake catches on whatever causes the clog, often a build-up of debris such as hair or waste, this is when you will need to continue to push. Work to break up the structure so it can flow down the pipe. You can do this by pushing and pulling at the piece in question.
If your snake has extendable claws, you can try to grab the piece and pull it up and out by rotating the handle counter-clockwise. Be careful not to push or pull too fast, keep a steady movement to avoid shifting the clog into a new place.
4. Judge Water Flow
Once you remove the offending clog, either down the drain or back up from the entrance, make sure to test the proper water flow.
In a toilet, the water should rise back up to regular levels on its own. If not, try to flush the toilet and make sure it completes the cycle all the way through.
For a sink or other drain, run a solid stream of hot water through the drain to clear out any remaining elements of the clog.
5. Clean Off the Snake
Now that you have your drain clear of clogs, the final step is to ensure that your snake does not track gross waste and disease back into your house. Clean your drain snake and any other tools involved in the process using soap and hot water.
Keeping Up With the Household
Knowing how to use a drain snake helps take a major issue for your plumbing and puts the answer right in your hands. Maintaining your home is a thankless job, but small details can make a world of difference.
From home improvement to appliances and more, we here at House Affection have the articles to help you keep your house as good as new. Why not check out our gardening section for more helpful tips!
