How do you use a drain snake? I have just bought one for my blocked kitchen pipes, but it keeps getting stuck

Question

It seems to be getting stuck at the joints.

I have already used chemical drain clearers but they have not worked.

Answer 1

when this happens it is best to remove the trap from the line and clean it that way. This is a dirty disgusting job but someone has to do it. Take everything from under the sink and get a bucket. Crawl under there and have look. You will see that where the drain goes into an S pattern there are joints that screw apart. Here come the mess - and yuck. Unscrew those joints and let the S pipe part fall into the bucket. Then you take that and clean it out separately. If it is completely blocked then you know that was the problem and after cleaning just screw the drain back together exactly as it was. Make sure you get the joints screwed together tightly so it does not leak. If that part was not clogged, then put the snake down the pipe under the sink and when you hit the clog, twist the snake and push it back and forth against the clog at the same time - be forceful as you have got to get that clog to break apart. Pretend the clog is your arch enemy and let her have it. Good luck.

Answer 2

There's a U shaped trap in drain lines that makes it difficult to feed the snake through. Plumbers have powered snake tools, but they often access drain pipes through clean out fittings to avoid having to go through a trap. Of course in your case, it's probably your sink trap itself which is clogged. I've found that the old reliable "plumber's helper" rubber suction cup plungers work most of the time to clear sink traps. Buy a standard old style bell shaped plunger and fill the sink up with enough water so that the plunger's rubber suction cup will be under water over the top of the drain. Some sinks have overflow holes somewhere near the top of the rim that keep the sink from overflowing if you forget to turn the water off. If there's an overflow hole, you need to cover it with some duct tape so that air will not be drawn through it when you start plunging the drain vigorously with the plunger. You'll really feel the suction when your plunging the drain properly and you'll see all the black gunk get pulled up into the sink from the clogged trap. Then you let it drain out. You may have to do this several times to clear the trap.

PS Don't buy any of the new fangled plastic or double bell shaped plungers, because they don't work as well as the standard old rubber bell shaped plungers. See the reference plunger photo link below.

Answer 3

To unblock your kitchen pipes pour down some caustic soda powder and then pour some boiling water down behind it,this will eat away at the greas and junk thats blocking it up, Just be very very careful when you do this as it reacts very strongly with the hot water and you don't want it getting into your face or on your skin, only do it if your pipes are metal as it will eat thru pvc pipes if that fails call a plumber cos those drain snakes are hopeless to use
hope this helps
Paul

Answer 4

If you don't wish to try any of the answers already given, and still want to use the hand snake, just kink the end of the snake to about a 45 degree angle just below the coiled end. This almost all ways gets the snake through any bend. Good Luck

Answer 5

The snake needs to be turning constantly and is probably at a root instead of a joint. If you just bought a little hand snake, they don't work very well at all. A plumbers snake has cutting blades and turns at a constant rate to knock these blockages out.

Answer 6

it seems that something is stuck in the joints.
try a home remedy and yes it does work.

Put a spoon of Bio-carbonate of soda and then pour vinegar.and in a few seconds it will bubble up .leave it for a few hours to dissolve the muck.
if something solid is stuck then try again.
i use the process once a month in the kitchen sink,bath sink and bath. and it works .
PURE MAGIC.
forget the drain snake.

Answer 7

Hello DJ. 3 Things. 1. The advice about running the machine with a bleach solution is good. 2. The advice in making sure that if you have a washing machine standpipe that it has a trap is good. 3. The most common fault is when the washing machine pumps out via a connection to the sink trap. If the washing machine hose is brought in at low level the sink waste will flow down the hose and enter the washing machine. Then it will fester. The machine hose should route up as high as possible before it connects to the trap to prevent foul water from the sink entering the machine. BB.

Answer 8

If there is a handle on the side, just keep on turning it, and force more of the snake down at the same time. It will eventually break through the build up of gunk.

Answer 9

Like the other gents said. as you feed the snake down the pipe turn the handle clockwise, to the right as you feed it down. if you feel some resistance keep turning and keep pushing. if it stops pull it out and try again. if you cant unplug it buy some liquid draino

Answer 10

Yeah you have to twist it to get it past the joints. There should have been a handle with a set screw with the snake.