Plumber’s Corner: How to Use a Plumbing Snake

Are you looking for a way to unclog the drain in your sink or shower? Using a snake tool is an effective step to get to the bottom of a clog and get the water flowing like normal in your drain.

Before you begin to use a plumbing snake, you need to know the best ways to use it. Read on to learn about how a snake will help you unclog your drains, along with the best techniques to get you up and running fast!

What Is a Plumbing Snake?

A clogged drain can be a frustrating problem to deal with each day. That’s because every time that you run your sink or shower, you can have problems with water backing up. 

If your water is on long enough, you may also experience flooding or water damage in other parts of your home. A plumbing snake is a plastic or rubber tool that has a long arm. 

At the end of the arm is a curved portion that is used to hook debris and bring it up to the surface of your sink or shower. Some of these can also be shaped like a coiled spiral snake. These coils help to unclog debris that is stuck in a pipe as you push the snake into it.

How It Works

Although a plumbing snake may seem foreign when you are first evaluating your plumbing issue, it is a tool that can be used to fix minor clogs. After you unpackaged your snake, you will extend the end of the bottom part of the snake into your pipes. 

Do this slowly and carefully so that you do not damage the snake as you extend it downward. After the snake is fully submerged in the pipe, rotate the snake slowly until you feel it catch on the debris.

Then bring the snake up out of the pipe to reveal the debris. Remove the debris from your snake and re-submerge it in your sink. Repeat these steps until you bring the snake to the surface and there is no debris.

Test your sink or drain to see if the debris you removed has fixed your problem. It may be a pleasant surprise to see that snaking things yourself fixed your issue!

Unclogging Drains With a Plumbing Snake

Unclogging drains with a plumbing snake can resolve minor leaks but may not work for more serious problems. When simple measures don’t fix your issue, it’s time to call the professionals. 

At Living Water Mechanical Services, we are your source for plumbing and gas fitting services in Kelowna, British Columbia. Our team of plumbers and staff dedicate ourselves to serving the needs of our customers. We are a full-service plumbing company with financing options available for more costly jobs.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your drain cleaning or other issues!

If you’re in need of a plumbing company, you have some great options available. Contact us today to learn more!

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