Everything You Need to Know About Snake Draining

Drain snaking is a method in which plumbers utilize a special tool to reach down into your pipes and remove any scud, buildup, or clogs. Plumbers will usually resort to snaking when the issue does not require you to do anything major to fix yet you also can’t rely on a plunger to get it done.

Drain snaking is a more powerful method of removal than using traditional cleaners, but the risk factor is also greater. If you are not careful, then you could end up ruining your drainage and plumbing systems, which will be very costly to repair or replace. Before you make a decision, here are some things that you need to know.

There are several factors that can contribute to a contaminated water supply, such as a faulty plumbing system that allows for the sediment and harmful contaminants to enter your tap water. In many cases, contaminated water smells bad and tastes bad, and this can turn you off from drinking any water that comes from your faucet. RO technology will remedy any distastefulness in your water supply.

RO filtration is better for you than bottled water because it offers greater protection from contaminants and hard minerals. Most studies show that RO systems effectively remove 99% of contaminants in most municipal water supplies. In addition to desalinating your water, RP filtration will also remove bacteria, particulates, pyrogens, and lead/various other pathogens.

Avoiding disasters with careful handling. Unclogging your drain can be very messy and if you are doing it on your own, then we recommend that you wear protective clothing. You will also want to lay down some towels on the floor and beneath the pipes that you are working on.

Carefully thread the snake into your drain. Here you will manually insert the head of your drain snake (or an access point in your floor or wall). Then, you will guide the snake through your drain via the crank/handle, but you want to be careful not to force anything, otherwise you could end up damaging your plumbing. Exercise patience, and make sure that the cable isn’t too long for your drain.

After you clear up the obstruction, begin recoiling your drain snake. Try to keep the handle as close to the drain as close as you can, this way there is less force when you are recoiling the cable. Try to be as consistent as you can when retracting the cable; you do not want to rotate the crank to quickly or slowly; you want to try and find a nice middle ground. You will know that you have encountered the obstruction in your plumbing when there is some pressure at any point during the snaking process.

Break up the obstruction as much as you can. When the end of the cable reaches the obstruction, you need to rotate the cable carefully in all directions. Try to avoid jamming the end of the cable into the walls of the piping, and be sure to stop snaking and readjust if this is happening. If you reach the obstruction with your snake but it seems as though you are not making any progress, then you should try retracting the cable. A lot of times that material that’s built up in your plumbing will come out with it. Once there is no more resistance, begin carefully removing the snaking tool.

Re-assemble your drain and check your plumbing. When you completely retract your snaking device, check the metallic end for any remnants of debris and clean it off if need be. If your drain is functioning properly, then this will indicate that you have successfully removed the obstruction. If you are having trouble resolving the issue, then we recommend that you call a licensed plumber.

Consider removing trap arms or p-traps. These are the parts of the pipe between the faucet and the pipes that are inside the wall of your home. The purpose of these pipes is to prevent any unpleasant odors from your sewer line from making their way into your bathroom. Removing the trap arms and p-traps makes it much easier to snake your drain and also limit your risk.

Many homeowners are unsure when they should and should not use a drain snake. Drain snaking makes sense when you cannot remove the clog with traditional cleaners. One thing you should keep in mind as well is that you should also only using a drain snake when water is no longer able to move through your drainage system.

Stay away from chemical cleaners. Most chemical cleaners contain acids that can eat away at your plumbing and cause more harm than good. Most of these cleaners are also caustic and they can irritate or burn your skin if you come in contact with them. The fumes are also very harsh and can create an unpleasant situation for you and your family.

There are many benefits to drain snaking. Drain snaking ensures that your plumbing will drain itself much more effectively and you will rarely experience any issues with water flow. You will also eliminate any repulsive odors emitting from your drain and also preventing leaks or breakages from occuring. Snaking is ultimately a better option than pouring chemicals down your drain to break up any obstructions.

Drain snaking is ideal for several situations, but again, it is risky to do it on your own and we recommend that you hire a professional. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to remove any severe clogging in your drainage system, and you should routinely inspect your sewer line to ensure that there are no obstructions or blockages. Leaks in your plumbing can lead to severe structural damage to your home if you don’t act quickly, so try to be proactive about cleaning your drain.