A clogged drain is a homeowner’s nightmare. You picture the standing water, the slow drain, and reach for your trusty drain snake. But sometimes, that old reliable just won’t cut it. This leads to the question, are some clogged drains impossible to snake? Let’s talk about why a drain snake won’t work and what you can do as an alternative.
A drain snake, plumbing snake, or drain auger is usually your first defense in unclogging drains. It’s really good for hair clogs, soap scum, or small objects lodged near the drain surface. Sometimes, though, the clog wins out. So, are there some clogged drains that won’t be snaked? Yes, certainly.
When a Snake Isn’t Enough
There are a few explanations as to why a clog may refuse to be snaked out. Sometimes, the issue is not with the clog but with the incorrect snake or your technique.
Wrong Snake, Wrong Job
Drain snakes exist in numerous shapes and sizes, and each is better suited for specific applications. A toilet auger with its scratch-coating covering won’t scratch the porcelain. Using a regular drain snake in a toilet does not work at all and only hurts things, too.
In working with sinks, a miniature drum auger is what to use, and larger power augers that are heavier duty use larger pipes, like in sewer systems.
Technique Troubles
It requires delicacy to snake a drain. Simply forcing the snake in and out won’t remove clogs. The snake has to turn to rupture the clog or trap it.
This also entails properly employing the snake and ensuring that it is all fastened tightly before commencing. Make sure that you use the correct size of the snake to carry out the work as needed. Ensure that you are aware of how each device is needed to operate in your plumbing systems.
Deeply Embedded Clogs
If the clog is deep in your pipes, a standard 25-foot drain snake might not reach it. For clogs buried deeper in the plumbing, you’ll likely need a longer snake or the help of a professional plumber.
What Should Instead
So, if snaking doesn’t work, what else can you try? Before giving up, give these approaches a shot to unclog a drain or clog a drain.
Home Remedies
Generally speaking, the answer to that question is in your kitchen. Baking soda and white vinegar will dissolve toothpaste residue and light soap scum.
Gently run hot water through the drain, being gentle with porcelain fixtures. These treatments, if applied on a regular basis, will leave your kitchen sink squeaky clean.
Calling in the Pros
Larger clogs may require specialized equipment or plumbing services. A plumber can determine if you have a simple blockage or if the issue lies within your sewer pipes. Our team offers drain line cleaning services in Lancaster, PA, to help you clear your drains.
Techniques Used By The Experts
It is things that you would not ever do yourself, such as heavy equipment and high pressure. It is high-pressure water jetting which is what breaks up clogged grease and mineral deposits in pipes. If you abuse it, it will ruin pipes.
Our technicians use video camera inspections to locate clogs and identify the cause. This allows for successful solutions. We also offer leak repair, leak detection, and various plumbing services such as installing or repairing water heaters, sump pumps, garbage disposals, and hydrojetting in Reading, PA, and drain auger services.
Conclusion
Are there any clogged drains that can’t be snaked? The answer is yes. A trusty drain snake is not always enough, whether it’s because of a solidified clog, an out-of-reach clog, grease, or something else. There are many options for unclogging, from home remedies to professionals. Is the sink still not draining? Give our team a call.
