Drain snakes (aka Augers) are a very common (and very useful) tool that most experienced homeowners have in their toolbox. It’s normally a very effective method of unclogging drains in bathtubs, toilets and sinks.
But sometimes – it just doesn’t work the way it should.
So, why won’t your drain snake go down the bathtub drain? The answer may be that you are either using the wrong kind of drain snake, or you are trying to force it through a P-trap, or you are forcing the snake cable through the pipe too quickly or the clog is just too darn big.
The Different Types of Drain Snakes
Did you know that there are 5 different types of Augers? Each one has it’s purpose.
For General Drain Clogs – we recommend Cable or Drain Augers. These have a fairly long and flexible cable that a corkscrew object attached at the end. The cable is wrapped in a canister of sorts and to use this type of drain snake you manually turn the handle on the canister to release more and more of the cable.
For Clogs In Small Water Pipes – if your water pipes are 2 inches or less in diameter, then a Flat Tape Auger is the best one for you.
For Clogs That Need More Power – if you can’t manage a manual crank or you just need more “power” then a Power Auger is your best bet. These drain snakes either come with their own built in motor or you can attach them to a power drill.
The Professional Plumbers Choice– the pros at plumbing use Rocket Nozzle Augers. Here at Atlantis Plumbing we use these powerful tools for hydro jet drain cleaning because it is a very effective and efficient technique to clean out drains, pipes, downspouts and sewer lines.
For Unclogging Blocked Toilet Bowls– the specific Auger for toilet bowls is called a Toilet Closet Auger. These snake drains can be manual or powered and they are designed specifically to be more flexible so they can be maneuvered through the curves of the toilet bowl.
Forcing The Auger Through The P-Trap
The extreme curves in a P-Trap make it very difficult to maneuver a hose through it – especially if there’s a clog involved. The trick here is that instead of pushing the auger through – you should take the drain trap beneath the sink apart and THEN work in the drain snake from there. It will be much easier and you’ll save yourself a lot of time.
The Slower The Better
When it comes to using an auger, slower is better. If you try to force it down the drain too fast it could actually bend, twist and before you know it, it’s bent completely back and you’ll just see it coming back up to you instead of down to the clog. Move it down the drain an inch at a time and even a bit slower when you feel like you’ve hit the clog.
The Size Of The Clog Does Matter
It does not happen often, but there are times that the clog in the drain is just too big for the auger you have at home. You may just need to call in a professional plumber so they can use their powerful Rocket Nozzle Augers to do the job.
For those stubborn clogs – we recommend our Hydro Jet Cleaning service. The process is extremely efficient, cost effective and environmentally safe. It’s simply a superior method of cleaning out your pipes, downspouts and sewer lines.
If you are having problems with slow moving drains or clogs in your water pipes, call the Atlanta experts – Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.