Pipe down and deal with your clogs
A plumbing snake for a kitchen sink drain breaks up stubborn clogs from hair, grease, or food that your plunger can't clear, especially when blockages lodge several feet down the pipe.
Professional plumbing services cost $60 to $300 to snake your drain, so addressing clogs early helps you avoid more expensive repairs down the road.
You can prevent most clogs by placing strainers over drains, cleaning them regularly, and never pouring grease or food scraps down your sink.
Hiring a local plumbing professional provides reliable support when DIY efforts fall short, handling stubborn blockages and ensuring your pipes stay safe and clear.
Dealing with clogged drains can be more than just an inconvenience. Beyond the serious plumbing issues, water damage, and costly repairs, a clog can easily disrupt your daily routine and build a breeding ground for smelly odors. Plumbing snakes are a simple tool that can help you tackle small blockages before they escalate into a big headache. Roll up your sleeves and use this guide to master using a plumbing snake and preventing clogs before they get the best of you.
A plumbing snake, also called a drain auger or drain snake, is a tool for clearing up stubborn clogs from your pipes. It’s a flexible metal cable designed to be fed through pipes to dislodge, break up, and remove any debris or blockage. Plumbing snakes are an essential tool for any plumber, but all homeowners could benefit from having one on hand for clogs that your plunger just can’t fix.
Before you jump into snaking your drain, there are a few steps to take so you can tackle your clogs with confidence. You’ll need to:
Start by figuring out whether the clog affects a single drain or multiple drains. If it’s only one, the blockage is likely between that drain and the main line. However, if multiple drains are clogged, the problem is probably in the main line leading from your house.
For a single drain issue, check the stopper or drain opening for hair and other gunk. Clogs often lurk just below the drain opening in bathroom sinks and shower drains. These clogs can usually be cleared with your hands (while wearing gloves) or a barbed tool.
If you’re dealing with a clog in a sink or drain, use a cable auger. Because of their length and flexibility, they’re perfect for getting around the twists and turns of pipes until they reach your problem. Closet augers are designed specifically for toilet clogs. They have a shorter, sturdier cable and won’t damage your toilet's pristine porcelain.
A plumbing snake can help you get rid of problematic clogs, but knowing when to use them can save you time, money, and the headache of accidentally damaging your pipes.
Use a plumbing snake when a clog is too large to clear with a plunger or if it’s lodged several inches or feet down the pipe. Plumbing snakes work particularly well if the clog is from hair, paper, grease, food, or soap.
If the clog is minor and close to the drain, or if you’re dealing with delicate fixtures—like an antique toilet—skip the plumbing snake. Don’t use a plumbing snake if you already tried a chemical drain solution. If you have a leak or think your pipes may be damaged, drop the plunger and plumbing snake, and pick up your phone to call an emergency plumber.
First, put on gloves and safety glasses. Then, gain access to the area where the clog is located. If possible, start by removing and checking the P-trap for every clog.
For sinks: Place a small bucket under the P-trap, the U-shaped pipe under the sink. Remove the P-trap by unscrewing the plastic nuts, catching any leftover water in the bucket. Check the trap for any blockages. If not, move forward with the plumbing snake.
For bathtubs: If the clog isn’t in the drain or P-trap, take off the overflow cover to bypass the trap.
For showers: Unscrew and remove the drain strainer to access the drain.
Start by loosening the thumbscrew—a lock on a plumbing snake that holds the cable in place. Insert the cable into the drain and slowly feed it through the pipe until you meet resistance. The bends in the pipe can cause some resistance, but rotating the cable and using a small amount of force should get you past them.
Keep an eye out for any twisting in the cable. The tension can damage the cable and make it snap back, potentially causing an injury. If you notice twisting, reverse the spin to untwist the cable and feed shorter amounts into the pipe to keep it from happening again.
Push the cable until you reach resistance that you can’t push past. When you hit this snag, keep about six to 12 inches of space between the body of your plumbing snake and the pipe opening. Tighten the thumbscrew to lock the cable.
Rotate the plumbing snake cable by turning the crank or pulling the trigger (if you’re using an electric plumbing snake). Go back and forth between pushing and pulling small amounts of the cable into and out of the pipe. This small game of “tug of war” should help break up the blockage. Repeat until you no longer feel resistance.
Loosen the thumbscrew. Retract the cable and feed it back into the plumbing snake, making sure you don’t twist the cable. Check the auger tip for debris and carefully remove it. Repeat the steps above until you’re sure you’ve removed the entire clog.
It’s time to reassemble everything. Put the P-trap, strainer, or overflow mechanism back in place. Turn the faucet on and let the water run to make sure it flows and drains without any problems. Keep the water running for a few seconds to flush out any lingering debris.
Rinse off the plumbing snake and let it dry completely before winding it back into the reel.
The best way to avoid using a plumbing snake is to focus on preventing the problem—clogs. You can incorporate simple practices into your daily routine that’ll keep your drains clear and save yourself the afternoon project of snaking your drains.
Put strainers or filters over your drains to catch hair, food, and other debris before they enter your pipes.
Remove and clean drain strainers frequently, and discard the debris in the trash, not the sink.
Clean your P-traps once a year to remove any build-up.
Never put solids—toilet paper, hair, soap, etc.—down the drain.
Never pour grease, oil, coffee grounds, or leftover food down your sink.
Wash your pets outside to keep pet hair from clogging your drains.
Clean your garbage disposal regularly.
Don’t flush wipes, facial tissues, or hygiene products down your toilet.
Using a plumbing snake can be a straightforward DIY fix for most homeowners, especially for soft clogs from hair or soap scum. However, if you encounter a hard blockage—like a lost piece of jewelry—or if you’ve tried snaking without success, hire a licensed professional plumber. Plumbing can be very nuanced, and plumbers have the knowledge, experience, and tools to determine whether you’re dealing with a small clog or a backed-up drain that’s quickly growing.
The cost to hire a professional to snake your drain may not break the bank, but it’s more than the $5 to $20 you’d spend on a plumbing snake. Professional plumbing services range from $60 to $300 for a kitchen sink, around $225 for bathtubs or showers, $110 to $275 for toilets, and between $200 to $300 for main sewer line clogs.
If you have a plumbing snake on hand, hiring a plumber to get rid of clogs doesn’t have to be your first step. If your DIY efforts fall short, a plumber is a reliable backup to ensure that stubborn clogs are handled safely and effectively.
Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The WaterworksIf you want to pay the most exorbitant prices possible for your job, this is the company for you. “By the job” pricing is a rip-off, at least how these people use it. Every job is plugged into a category and prices are set by category. You might have a job that takes half an hour or one that...
Benjamin Franklin PlumbingCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLCMatt is a consummate professional. The work turned out to be far more difficult than expected and rather than turn the job down, Matt rose to the occasion and completed a near impossible task. I can not recommend Greene's Plumbing Service more highly. On a scale of 1-5 I would give Matt a...
Greene's Plumbing ServiceInvolved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLCAwesome company. Had a jacuzzi tub taken out and replaced with huge walk in shower with partial glass enclosure. Onyx to the ceiling with a decorative border, moved plumbing and installed hand held shower, new ceiling, flooring, and paint. Replaced window with glass block. Everything was done...
Columbus Bath DesignThe initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
Initially, I called the Service People to have a leaking garbage disposal replaced. I had purchased a special deal through Angie's List: $79 for $200-worth of plumbing services. <br /> When I went to schedule the work, the earliest date I could get through Angie's List was after the upcoming...
This company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & Remodeling<p>I am so glad we called Rotor-Rooter. I was hesitant to call them because we usually prefer to give business to local providers. But when we had sewage back up in our basement on a Saturday evening, I had a hard time getting a hold of someone, not to mention the high weekend/evening rate...
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water CleanupFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Snake removal cost comes down to the type and number of snakes you’re dealing with and where they’re located inside your home. This guide breaks it down.
When picking the best bait for snakes, first identify the type of snake to learn more about its natural diet, then choose one of these.
If you’ve got a slow-draining bathtub, it could be due to hair buildup. This complete guide will show you how to remove hair from the drain.
Dealing with slow-draining sinks or a full toilet clog? Use this DIY guide on how to clear clogged drains to get your drain working again in no time at all.
A clogged bathroom drain is a big headache for a homeowner, but preventative measures can help keep the water flowing easily. Here are some tips on how to keep the bathtub drain clear before you need to call in a professional plumber for help.
A clogged toilet can be embarrassing and even dangerous. Learn these tips to unclog a toilet, whether or not you have a plunger on hand.
