The average hardware store has entire aisles dedicated to basic plumbing supplies like plungers, liquid drain cleaners and of course, drain snakes. These tools are marketed as being able to clear clogged drains around sinks, tubs and showers but just like any tool, they need to be used properly.
All it takes is a quick internet search to come back with hundreds of pages of “quick fix” plumbing solutions or recommendations about how to deal with slow draining sinks or tubs. The trouble is that some of these home remedies can end up doing more harm than good and that goes for the drain snake too! Before using a drain snake on your own, it’s important to fully understand how these tools work and consider all of your options.
Drain Snakes: No Basic Drain Cleaning Tool
No home or commercial property is complete without a functional plumbing system. If you notice that sink, shower, toilet or tub drains are emptying slowly it is a good idea to handle the issue as quickly as possible. It’s common practice to try to tackle clogs with a plunger.
Plungers clear clogs by pushing them forward down into lines and hopefully out of systems. Too much pressure will just push the blockage further down the line, potentially out of reach. If you’ve tried this and aren’t seeing any improvement you are likely dealing with large or stubborn clogs that will require a bit more muscle.
The most common culprit for slow drainage is a soft clog. These usually occur further down in plumbing systems, often somewhere between 15 and 20 feet down the line. This puts them firmly out of reach for most tools but the average drain snake cable is 25 feet long. A drain snake, also known as a drain auger, can tackle more complex clogs because it pulls material backward instead of pushing it forward. This makes it possible to manually remove clogs as they become visible.
Drain snakes come in many shapes and sizes, each designed to tackle different types of pipes and plumbing. The most common drain snake is manual and designed to tackle standard plumbing systems. Cables are fed into pipes, navigating down pipes until they meet an obstruction. Corkscrew springs are attached to the end of cables. When the cable meets a clog the spring snags it and then cables can be retracted. Sounds pretty simple, right? Well, not exactly.
Drain snakes are common tools in a plumber’s tool box but if used incorrectly even these can be dangerous. Taking a DIY approach might be appealing in the moment but it can end up causing long-term damage and making the situation much worse. An amateur approach can result in damaged pipes, worse clogs, and even personal injury.
Ditch DIY and Avoid Plumbing Disasters
Drain snakes are one of the best solutions to common plumbing problems. You’ve likely heard about them before or even watched a plumber put one to use. These tools have been around since the 1930’s. They’ve gone from manual to motorized and from simple designs to heavy duty upgrades that can tackle everything from a kitchen sink to a sewer drain.
Investing in a plumbing tool might seem like a great way to cut down on the costs of hiring an experienced plumber but a DIY method can end up costing you way more in the long run.
Pipe Damage: Depending on when your house was built you might be dealing with aged or weakened pipes. When used incorrectly a drain snake can scratch, puncture or otherwise damage aging pipes, particularly if there has been corrosion over time. Even a bit of damage can lead to leaks, burst pipes and the need for expensive repairs.
Chemical Splash-Back: One of the first things that homeowners try when dealing with a clog is liquid plumber. If you’ve put chemicals down your drain there is a chance that these chemicals can splash back when using a drain snake. This puts users at risk of being hit with dangerous chemicals. This makes safety equipment a top priority. Professional plumbers have all of the necessary safety equipment at their disposal.
Contaminated Water: The whole purpose of plumbing systems is to carry waste out but a clog will prevent it from draining out. When dislodging a clog that waste water can come back up through systems introducing bacteria and even sewage into your home. This is a serious health risk to health and safety but plumbers are trained to deal with these situations and understand how to mitigate risk.
Worsening Clogs: Not all clogs are created equal. Blockages will have a different makeup and structure. Depending on the nature of a clog sending a snake down the drain can actually make situations worse. If blockages are comprised of mineral buildup or are the result of corrosion snakes can scrape off bits and pieces that will add to the blockage and further restrict water flow.
Damaged Fixtures & Appliances: Pipes aren’t the only thing that can be damaged during a drain snaking. A sharp tool like the spring at the end of the snake can chip or scratch finishes leaving permanent damage behind. Surface damage opens the door to rust, corrosion and the need for expensive repairs and replacement. A plumber is familiar with how these tools operate and know how to avoid damage.
Avoid Injury: A plumbing snake might seem simple but tips are sharp enough to snag clogs and that means it is sharp enough to break skin. In the event the open wounds come into contact with bacteria it can lead to a serious infection. In addition to cuts there’s also the possibility of injury caused by being down on the floor, kneeling, bending and staying like that over long periods.
Wrong Tools: Using the wrong tools for the job can make a situation worse. Just like there are many types of screwdrivers out there, there are many different types of drain snakes too. Smaller models might not be strong enough to deal with stubborn clogs while snakes that are too large can cause damage in smaller pipes. Professional plumbers know which snake is best suited for the job. If you are struggling to choose between a toilet auger, top snake or mini-rooter, let the experts at Pete & Son Plumbing provide a bit of clarity.
Stay Safe, Leave Drain Snaking to the Professionals
After years of industry experience the plumbing professionals at Pete & Son are able to tackle clogs and blockages of all shapes, sizes and styles. Instead of trying to make-do with simple or basic tools but these aren’t enough to tackle stubborn clogs. Plumbers have the tools, technique and experience to utilize more heavy duty tools to reach deeper into systems.
