Using a cable drain auger is relatively straightforward, although depending on the type of auger you use, the process may vary slightly. Generally, using a cable drain auger involves the following steps:
1. Turn off the water to the affected area and remove any visible clogs if possible.
2. Thread the snake down the drainpipe making sure it properly enters the pipe.
3. Turn the handle of the auger counter clockwise to begin the augering process.
4. Feel the snake twist and turn as it goes further down the pipe.
5. Pull the cable back up to dislodge any debris.
6. Continue in this manner until you feel the cable free of debris.
7. Fully remove the snake and check the contents of its tip.
8. Rinse with water as you pull the snake back out to fully clear it of debris.
9. Turn the water back on and check your drain.
These steps should help you to properly use a cable drain auger and clear out your drains. If you have any doubts or questions, it is always best to consult a professional plumber.
What is the difference between a drain snake and an auger?
A drain snake, also known as an electric drain cleaner or plumber’s snake, is a device used to clean out plumbing lines such as those of sinks, toilets, and bathtubs. The snake is typically powered by an electric motor and is fed down a clogged pipe to cut through built-up debris.
The snake is made up of a long flexible cable with auger-like blades at the end that can break up clogs and dislodge debris.
An auger is a different type of device used for unclogging pipes and drains. Unlike a snake, an auger is not powered by electricity. Instead, it is a manual device typically made of a flexible cable with a crank handle at one end.
The other end has an auger-like tip that is inserted into the pipe. As the handle is cranked, the auger pushes through any clogs, roots, or other blockages, breaking them up and clearing the drain.
Why wont the auger go down the drain?
There could be a few different reasons why the auger is not going down the drain. The drain may be blocked by a physical obstruction such as food, grease, soap, hair, or other debris. If that is the case, the auger can be used to dislodge the obstruction so that the drain can be cleared.
The auger can also be used to clear clogs caused by buildup of debris in the pipes. Another potential cause could be a broken or damaged pipe. In this case, the auger may not be able to reach the clog and a professional may need to be called to inspect the pipes for any damage.
If the pipes have been damaged, they may need to be replaced. Finally, it could be that the auger is too large for the drain. If this is the case, a smaller auger may need to be used to get down the drain and clear it.
Which direction do you turn a drain snake?
When using a drain snake to unclog a drain, it is important to turn it in the correct direction. To ensure the most efficient unclogging, you should turn the snake clockwise or to the right as it feeds down the line.
As the snake moves downward, its corkscrew design will work to break up any clogs or obstructions, eventually freeing the line. Before turning the snake, it is also best to make sure that you are starting at the widest aperture of the line, usually the drain opening.
Turning the snake in the wrong direction will just push the clog further down the line, and make the unclogging process significantly more difficult.
How do you get a snake past the P trap?
If you are trying to get a snake past a P trap, it is important that you take a few precautions beforehand. First and foremost, make sure you wear protective gear, such as thick gloves and safety glasses, as snakes can be unpredictable and a bite could be dangerous.
Additionally, make sure to have septic-safe cleaning chemicals on-hand in case there are any blockages in the trap.
Next, wrap the snake around a section of pipe near the trap that is large enough for it to pass through. Then, using the flexible cable extension, carefully guide the snake’s head through the trap before feeding the rest of the body through.
Make sure to keep the snake in a straight line to avoid entanglement and to reduce strain on the cables tips.
Before using the snake, inspect it for any wear or fraying on the cables and coat the cables tips with lubricant to prevent sticking. During the process, keep an eye on the snake to make sure it is fed and pulled through the trap properly.
Monitor the P trap’s draining and flushing action to ensure it is not clogging.
Finally, once you’ve successfully navigated the snake through the P trap, you should immediately remove it and store it properly to prevent future damage.
How do I clear a main line blockage?
Clearing a main line blockage can be a challenging and difficult task. Here are some steps you can take to clear a main line blockage:
1. Start by locating the main line cleanout. This is a white, capped pipe which will be located near the house foundation or in the basement near the foundation.
2. Afterwards, use a plunger to try to clear the blockage. Make sure that you are forming an airtight seal over the opening of the cleanout.
3. If the plunger does not work, you may need to use a drain auger (usually also referred to as a snake. Feed the snake into the drain, turning it as you push it in. You should feel slight resistance when the snake encounters the blockage.
Once you break the blockage, pull the snake out of the drain.
4. If the snake does not remove the blockage, you can try using a high-pressure water jet to blast the blockage out of the line.
5. If you do not have the necessary tools, or if the blockage is too large to clear, it is best to contact a professional plumber to handle the job.
What to do when a drain snake gets stuck?
When a drain snake gets stuck, the first thing you should do is to turn off the machine. Then, you can try to pull the cable back out, but if it won’t come out, you should try to free it with a hook-shaped drill bit.
If this doesn’t work, you may have to use a special drain key to turn the snake head in the opposite direction and release the obstruction. If all else fails, you may have to snake the drain from the top and bottom in order to loosen the cable.
Once the obstruction is freed, you can proceed to snake the drain until the clog is completely removed. After the clog is removed, you should check for any other obstructions and use an auger to snip away any remaining root growths or blockages that could impede the flow of water.
Another option would be to use a high-pressure water jet to blast the drain clear of any obstructions.
What is a cable auger?
A cable auger is a type of drain cleaning tool that is designed to remove blockages such as hair, food, dirt and debris from plumbing fixtures such as sinks, toilets, tubs, and showers. This device consists of a flexible metal cable, usually made of copper, with a corkscrew-shaped cutting head called an auger that is operated either manually or with an electric motor.
The auger is inserted into the drain, and the operator rotates it to push through the blockage, allowing the water to flow freely. Cable augers are a common tool used by professional plumbers, but they are also readily available for sale at most DIY hardware stores, making them a great choice for those who like to do their own plumbing repairs.
How do I connect my cable snake?
Connecting a cable snake involves a few steps. First, make sure that you have all of the necessary connections and that they are correctly labeled. Then identify the length of the snake and where the two ends need to be connected.
Once that is determined, the ends of the snake should be stripped to expose the conductors inside. The conductors should then be soldered to the corresponding pins on the connection jacks on either end of the cable.
After that is complete, the entire assembly should be tested for a secure connection and any potential shorts should be addressed. If all is well, the exterior of the connections should be protected with a shrink-wrap or electrical tape and secured with zip ties or cable ties.
Before use, it is advisable to test once more for signal integrity and strength, and to make sure that no connections have become loose. Once the signal is approved, the cable snake will be ready for use.
Can you flush a toilet with an auger in it?
Yes, you can flush a toilet with an auger in it. However, it’s important to be very careful when doing so. First off, you need to make sure to wear gloves to protect your hands and that no one else is standing in the bathroom while you are attempting to flush the toilet.
Additionally, you should also ensure that the auger is firmly wedged in the opening of the toilet. While slowly pushing down the handle of the toilet, slowly move the auger around until the pipe starts to clear itself.
Once the water is flowing, it may be necessary to tug the auger upward to ensure that all the debris and clogs have been cleared away. Finally, make sure to unplug the toilet before you flush it and repeat the process as necessary.
What does a drain auger do?
A drain auger, also known as a plumber’s snake, is a tool used to unclog drains. It is a coiled metal cable that is inserted into the drain line, where it is able to break up and remove the debris causing the clog.
The auger can be inserted either through the sink or through a cleanout access point located further down the drain line. Once the cable has cleared out the clog, water is able to move freely through the drain.
A drain auger is an effective tool in removing clogs caused by hair, grease, soap residue, and other materials. It can also be used to clear out tree roots that have grown too large for effective water flow.
Although these augers are relatively easy to use, it is recommended to contact a plumbing professional if you are unable to unclog the drain yourself.
Is a toilet auger better than a snake?
Overall, it really depends on the individual situation for each particular clog. Toilet augers are specifically designed for unclogging toilets and are usually more efficient when dealing with clogs that are located in a toilet.
Toilet augers can reach further into the pipes, so they can more effectively clear blockages in toilets compared to a snake. However, snakes are more flexible than augers and can move freely in the pipes, allowing them to more easily reach curved pipe systems or tight corners.
Snakes also generally come in longer sizes, so they can cover a greater range and reach further into the plumbing system. Additionally, snakes are typically cheaper and more accessible than augers.
Therefore, it is best to assess the clog and choose the right tool for the job. If the clog occurs in a toilet, then a toilet auger is typically the best option, while a snake will likely work better in other parts of the plumbing system.
What can I use instead of a drain snake?
If you are looking for an alternative to a drain snake, there are several options available. One option is to use chemical drain cleaners, which work by breaking down clogs in your pipes. This is available in both liquid and granular form.
Another option is to use an auger or plumbing snake, which is essentially a long, flexible metal or plastic cable that is inserted into the pipe to dislodge clogs. You can also use a plumbing vacuum, which is a device that uses suction to remove clogs.
Finally, if your problem is caused by debris, you can use a tool specifically designed to clear it, such as a sink plunger or hand brush. Depending on the severity of the clog, you may need to combine several of these steps for the best results.
Will a drain auger clear roots?
Yes, a drain auger can help clear roots from a clogged drain. A drain auger is a plumbing tool used to unclog drains. It consists of a long, hollow cable with a corkscrew tip and a motor that pushes the cable into the clog.
The corkscrew tip grabs onto the roots and any other debris in the line, allowing you to pull the roots out. Depending on the size and severity of the clog, you may need to use a more powerful drain auger, such as a power auger, to clear out the roots.
It’s important to use a drain auger carefully and be sure not to damage your pipes, as the roots can be difficult to remove and might cause further damage. Additionally, once the roots are cleared, it is important to inspect your drainage system and make any necessary repairs to the pipes to prevent roots from returning and clogging your drains again.
Do plumbers use augers?
Yes, plumbers use augers. An auger is a tool that has a spiral, helical shape that is commonly used by plumbers to clear out clogged drains. It works by boring out a hole in the blockage, or digging through it until it is cleared.
It is also often used to unclog toilets, clear out sink traps, and unplug long, curved pipes. Augers come in different sizes, shapes and lengths and are used in a variety of ways by plumbers. They are inserted into a pipe and twisted in a clockwise motion to cut through the obstruction, or pushed to force the blockage further down the drain.
They can be used to snake a line of pipe, remove roots, and drill into blockages. Some plumbers use a variety of augers to tackle difficult problems.