Plumbing Snake Service
Your plumbing system is one of the most overworked features in your home. It is a system that you know is there, but typically only pay attention to when something goes wrong. With so many things passing through your drain pipes, it is no wonder that the system can get clogged over time. Soap, grease, oil, shampoo, hair, tissues, food waste and everything that you flush down your drain can cause a buildup. Add calcification into the mix and there is a higher chance that you’ll end up with a clogged drain.
If you notice your sinks and tubs drain slowly, drain clogging is the probable cause. You can try to unclog the drain by yourself. One of the easiest tools to use is a drain snake or drain auger. It is simple and relatively efficient. You can either use a manual one or rent a motorized snake.
WHAT IS A PLUMBING SNAKE?
A plumbing snake is a handy tool to have around the house that can fix minor clogging problems. It resembles a long steel cable with helix-shaped coiled metal wire contained in a drum near the handle. The gaps between the cork-screw like coils are broader at the terminal end. At the other end is a hand crank. The user turns the crank to get the helix to rotate as it’s moving through the drain pipe.
If the clog is dense but shreddable, the auger might be able to break it up to allow for a better, smoother flow of water. Other obstructions that are lightweight, like hair and lint could be snagged by the auger so you can pull them away. As you’re rotating the auger, it scrapes off oil and mineral buildup on the pipe’s interior walls.
HOW TO USE A DRAIN SNAKE
Declogging a drain begins by inserting the terminal end of the plumbing snake into the drain. Push the snake into the clogged pipe. Rotate the drum handle clockwise so the snake coil is released. It will flail inside the pipe as you continue to rotate the handle. If there is resistance, you’ve reached the clog. You may have to apply more force to rotate the handle. As the snake moves down the pipe, it will break down the debris causing the blockage to increase the water flow. Some debris can be pulled away as they wind around the coil. To remove the snake, turn the handle counter clockwise. Run the water full force for a few minutes to make sure that the shredded debris is flushed through the pipe.
Here is a Video of Equipment We Use