What To Do If Snaking A Drain Doesn't Work

Dislodge Clogs With These Drain Snaking Tips

Many of us know the dread and uncertainty that comes with experiencing a clogged drain. The water in your sink keeps rising, and you wish it would drain faster. But never fear — that’s why drain snakes are an amazing tool!

You bust it out and try to unclog your drain… but you find that your drain is still clogged. You might be wondering, ‘Am I using it correctly? Do I need professional help?’

Our team at Ball Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical would like to help troubleshoot some possible solutions with you before you pick up the phone to give us a call.

The Purpose Of A Drain Snake

Drain snakes, also known as plumbing snakes or drain augers, are useful tools to keep in your home. A drain snake is a hand-operated tool that works to clear the obstruction in your drain. The long cable and corkscrew are wound into the drain. When you turn the crank, its sharp end grabs onto clogged debris so that it can be pulled back up and removed.

Overall, this tool can save you a lot of time and money getting stubborn clogs fixed in your drains. That’s why it’s frustrating when you find your plumbing snake not working as it should!

Causes And Solutions For A Drain Snake That Won’t Work

If you’re left wondering what to do when a drain snake doesn’t work, you can trust our team for help! Here are a few reasons why there may be a problem as well as some quick fixes you can try. Use these tips to see if you can remedy those bothersome clogs in your home!

Use The Right Movements For Your Drain Snake

When you use a drain snake, sometimes it slows down at bends in the pipes or completely stops. In this case, you can try rotating it more as the snake moves best in forward and rotational movements — sometimes experimenting a bit more with it is all you need to do.

Try A Different Drain Snake

Another issue could be that you are using the wrong type of snake. Surprisingly, it’s not a one-size-fits-all scenario. You will find that there are many different types of drain snakes, so make sure to read the packaging to find out what fixtures your snake works best on.

Sometimes your local hardware store just doesn’t have the right one available, so you may need to search elsewhere!

Get A Longer Plumbing Snake

Sometimes that clog in your fixtures is further in than you thought! Most augers are 25 feet in length, which is already pretty lengthy, but sometimes even that is not enough.

The good news is that you can actually invest in an extra-long auger that is 50 feet longer or more. This longer snake may have the capability to reach that deep clog without you having to call in a professional plumber.

Clean Your Drain Snake

It can be a satisfying feeling when you believe your drain snake finally reached and latched onto its end target — the clog. You reel it back like a fishing line only to realize that it didn’t remove the clog after all.

The problem in this instance may be that you’re using an old drain snake. A drain snake that is dirty at the end may not be able to latch onto debris. You can try cleaning your auger to ensure it’s ready to work properly.

When To Call Ball Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

Is your sink still clogged after snake use? If you have tried some of these tips and are still struggling to fix your clog, the best bet would be to call a professional plumber. Our team has experience fixing clogs while preserving your fixtures.

At Ball Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, we’d be glad to help fix any clogs your home may have to get the water flowing normally again. Give us a call today, and we will have your clogs fixed in no time!