A clogged drain line, sewer line, or persistent clog in their sink or toilet are some of the most frequent plumbing concerns for DFW metropole homeowners who call an Arlington plumber. This is why entire businesses are based on drain cleaning. To be accurate, some houses do have clogged drains that need the services of a professional drain cleaner. Many difficult blockages, however, may be cleared using a plumbing snake or drain auger. (But only if you know how to utilize it!)
What is a Plumbing Snake?
A plumber’s snake is a cable-based auger that may be spun manually or electrically to remove a problematic obstruction in a sewer system. It is utilized when a blockage is too significant for a plunger to handle but not so large that professional drain cleaning in Arlington is required to clear the pipes using pressured water jets. A plumbing snake auger designed for home usage is typically between 25 and 50 feet long. A snake cable may be obtained at a big box shop or a plumbing supply store near you. So, how exactly do you go about “drain snaking?” This may be a nasty task, so wear clothing you don’t mind spoiling and put towels beneath the pipes you’re working on.
The following are the fundamental steps for snake a drain.
1. Take out the p trap. The curving line right beneath the sink links to a house’s more extensive sewer pipe system. (This is much easier than attempting to remove the drain stopper and work your way down.)
2. Take out the trap arm. This is the pipe segment that links the p trap to the line that enters the wall. This pipe is generally connected using a metal or PVC nut, although it can also be cemented in place. Do not attempt to remove it if it is bonded.
3. Insert the drain auger’s head into the blocked pipe. Next, insert the snake into the blocked drain pipe if you removed the p trap. If the p trap has not been released, you may wish to run a small stream of cold water while snaking the drain line to flush out whatever is causing the clogged drain.
4. Uncoil the snake cable down the pipe toward the main drain using the handle. You want to maintain the hold as near to the pipe’s entry as feasible. This is because the slacker there is in the cable, the less effective it will be. In addition, when the auger hits the blockage, it may also force the auger’s head to bend back on itself.
5. When you get to the clogged drain, rotate the cable circular, then up and down. By hand, try to break up the blockage as much as possible. If you hear any scraping noises, carefully remove the snake and re-adjust it. You don’t want to wreak havoc on the sewer line. If the auger head becomes trapped in the obstacle, carefully pull it out. The plumbing snake can sometimes dislodge a blockage. If there is no resistance, uncoil the sewer snake into the pipe and the main drain.
6. Rewind the drain snake and remove it from the pipe. Rinse off any pieces of the blockage that are still clinging to the auger’s head. You should reattach the p-trap and trap arm if you removed them.
7. Once the pipes have been removed and reconnected: Run water through the sink to ensure that the pipe or tub drain is clean. Next, please turn on the faucet connected to the cleared blocked drain line to ensure that it is draining correctly. If it isn’t, you should try snaking it again.
Clearing blockages from pipes using a snake is a chore that many individuals can accomplish on their own. However, there may be instances when you require the aid of a third party. Sometimes the blockage is simply beyond of reach of the majority of drain augers cables supplied to consumers. A professional’s instrument will frequently have more space and access to the main drain.
