The Drain Snake Does Not Work, Why?
If it’s in good working order and you know how to use it, a plumber snake is an excellent tool for unclogging drains. What if a drain snake doesn’t work? If your snake isn’t clearing your drains, there could be several potential causes, including a significant obstruction.
Or perhaps you simply need a review of how to operate a drain snake.
Where to begin when using a a Hand held snake
Every household needs a drain auger (snake), a affordable item they range from $40. to $100. for a decent one. But an inexpensive or broken auger can be very frustrating. There is some for around 20.
We’ll go over typical issues that arise when using a hand drain snake and offer advice on navigating those challenging pipe bends on your own.
It should be simple to snake a drain or toilet, in theory. The clog is simply reached and removed by pushing the snake into the toilet or drainpipe until it reaches it.
It may be significantly more challenging and frustrating, particularly if your pipes are extremely clogged.
Try to snake the drain and see if it is in the p-trap? Also see if there is a cleanout access against the wall of the kitchen drain.
Or if your working on the laundry they also have cleanout access. Sometimes you can not take the cleanout apart especially if they are cast iron.
When snaking a bathroom sink and it doesn't unclog?
If it you are not able to unclog the drain. You have to take the plumbing apart. Take the the P-trap off.
This is the bend under under the sink it is known as the P-trap. To get direct access to the pipe’s entry point into the wall, loosen and remove this pipe.
Although not all pipes underneath sinks can be removed or unscrewed from the p-trap, some are glued together.
You need to snake the drain in your shower or bathtub. If you want to start snaking instead of trying to get via the drain, these drains frequently have an access point inside the bathtub. Called the cleanout access.
In the bathtub, they are a chrome cover plate with a screw in the middle.
This needs to be removed to snake the bathtub drain.
It is always recommended to call a professional.