What is Snaking Pipes and Why Do it?
When someone living in the house has really long hair, it’s pretty much guaranteed that the shower drain will become clogged consistently. It may not be intentional, their hair just naturally falls out and can cause clogs in the pipe. For clogs like this, where some mass is blocking the passageway of the pipes, a common solution to turn to is snaking pipes.
A plumber’s snake is a tool used to reach into the pipe and pull out the clog. The tool typically consists of a long metal tube with a corkscrew type of device on one end and a crank on the other. When the crank is turned, the corkscrew end turns and latches onto the clog to pull it out.
Snaking pipes is a relatively easy plumbing task, so many homeowners can do it themselves. However, a plumber’s snake is a middle ground tool and has its limitations, it can also be used wrongly and leave you with broken pipes to repair.
Snaking Pipes to Remove Visible Obstructions
As mentioned, hair in the shower drain is a commonly visible obstruction that needs to be removed. It forms into a hairball in the pipes and can cause the speed of the drainage to slow down. When this happens, the dirt from the water sets on the shower floor or the tub leaving them to look grimy.
Other visible obstructions can include drain filters. For example, many kitchen sinks will have drain filters to catch food particles while washing dishes. But again, if this gets too full, the food particles can fall into the pipes, causing a clog and slowing down the drainage of the water in the sink.
These clogs are called visible obstructions because they can usually be seen from just looking down into the drain. If there’s food stuck in the sink drain, homeowners will likely be able to see it (or smell it) and know that it needs to be cleaned out, and a plumber’s snake is one of the best ways to do this.
Using Plumber’s Snake to Clean Drains
Snaking is a common method because it’s so easy to implement. It just takes a few simple steps. Start to insert the corkscrew end of the snake into the drain, using a rotary motion when putting the snake in. Slowly crank the handle to reach down to the clog, then break through the clog and pull it out.
Though snaking is great for clearing out small, common clogs such as hairballs stuck in the shower drain or food stuck in the sink drain, it does not replace drain cleaning. A professional drain cleaning procedure is much more comprehensive to clear out any existing clogs or small debris in the pipes and to prevent clogs from occurring in the future.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
There are many details that go into cleaning clogs out of a drain. A plumber’s snake will often do the trick with smaller, visible clogs that are easy to reach.
However, in many cases, the clog is bigger or deeper down into the pipes and can be difficult to remove with a snake. When this happens, it’s best to contact a professional plumber to ensure that no damage is done to the pipes.
Because blockages create excess pressure, the longer that blockage is in place, the worse it is for your plumbing. Instead, schedule help at the first sign of trouble, and protect your plumbing in the process. It may end up being snaking vs. hydrojetting, and that difference is huge.
About First Choice Plumbing Solutions
First Choice Plumbing Solutions understands the importance of fast, reliable plumbing, water heater, and drain cleaning repairs when their customers need them. That’s why when they have an emergency, their staff is available 24/7! What’s more, they don’t even charge after hour fees. That’s how committed they are to the safety and comfort of their customers.