Plumber snake how to#
Plumber snake manual#

However, if you live in a home with old sewer pipes prone to clogs, you may want to go with a longer length so the drain can access clogs located farther into the sewer pipe. motorized, recommend uses, and head type.įor an average homeowner, cable length and thickness can be on the relatively smaller side: 2 inches or less in diameter and less than 25 feet in length (although many household augers are considerably shorter-6 feet or less-which makes them more manageable while still sufficiently addressing many common home plumbing issues such as simple clogs).

Plumber snake manual#

In assessing a wide variety of drain snakes, I zeroed in on four basic criteria: cable size, manual vs. How We EvaluatedĪs someone who previously co-owned a construction and maintenance business, and who also owns an old house in a rural area-which means plumbing and sewer issues are a routine part of daily life-I’ve had plenty of experience with drain snakes over the years.

Plumber snake how to#

We always recommend reading the manufacturer’s directions first and, if available, watching any provided instructional videos on how to use a snake or auger, especially if you are unfamiliar with it or have never used one. For toilet clogs, choose a snake or auger specifically designed to navigate the trap of a toilet. Note that many snakes and augers are intended for drains (in sinks and showers) and not for toilets.

Although a manual option requires more physical exertion to operate, it may be a smart choice for those who are inexperienced with snakes and augers, as there are fewer things that could go wrong, such as getting the snake stuck, and less likelihood of accidentally damaging something, such as scratching the porcelain or damaging pipes. For tougher jobs-such as those involving grease, thick clogs, or debris farther into the drain or those requiring a longer cable of more than six feet-a motorized machine is a better choice because it provides more power and will likely resolve the issue more quickly and efficiently.

To simply remove clumps of hair from a sink or tub, a basic no-frills manual auger of six feet or less in length is usually fine. The snake or auger then dislodges the blockage or chops up the culprit so that the clog can safely continue down the drain. To clear a clog, you insert a drain snake or auger into the drain or toilet until it comes into contact with whatever is creating the blockage. We’ve used a variety of drain snakes both professionally and in our own homes, and while there’s nothing glamorous about these tools, they can truly be a lifesaver when a clogged drain needs to be cleared ASAP. If you are using the drain snake professionally or for a high-volume, multi-unit property, however, you will need something more substantial that is capable of handling bigger, more-demanding jobs. For common, simple household usage, a basic handheld toilet auger or manual drain snake would likely suffice. For times when the clog is farther down the drain beyond the trap or when plunging proves unsuccessful, the tool you’ll turn to-or wish you had-is a drain snake, which is the go-to solution for the most common plumbing issues, such as hair clogs and excess toilet paper.ĭrain snakes are also called augers or plumbing snakes. Send us feedback.Whether you’re a plumbing pro, a casual DIYer, or just someone who lives in a house with a toilet and tub, you have likely had to deal with at least a few clogged drains over the years. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plumber.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. 2022 After the first few months of lockdown, Robert Gomez, working then as a staff plumber, was called back to campus at least once a week as an essential worker.įelicia Alvarez, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2022 Decarbonizing Heating Appliances During his time as a plumber, Cardiff was constantly on the lookout for clean-tech solutions. Mark Snell, Forbes, 9 June 2022 Then, Kate lets the plumber in the house and neglects to lock the front door behind him.Īmanda Ostuni, EW.com, 6 Apr. Steve Lopezcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2022 Video game lovers will definitely appreciate this trio of costumes inspired by everyone's favorite Italian plumber.Ĭorinne Sullivan, Woman's Day, 5 July 2022 Mark Snell, owner, and founder of Polestar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is a third-generation plumber and HVAC technician.

Mike Richard, Men's Health, 19 July 2022 But how would a plumber locate a pipe buried under dirt and asphalt? 2022 Many of today’s best bidet attachments feature DIY installs for the layperson without calling a plumber and few, if any, tools required. Recent Examples on the Web My dad, Ron, was a builder and plumber, so for him, buying a house in our neighborhood was quite an aspirational thing.