Bathroom Sink Snake: How Pros Use It to Their Advantage

Do you need help clearing a clogged drain? Call Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. at 440-485-3850 for prompt, efficient drain clearing. 

Drain clogs are common, but that doesn't make them any less inconvenient. When a drain backs up, it's critical to clear it right away. Otherwise, you could face widespread water damage — not to mention being unable to use the sink.

A bathroom sink snake can help fix the problem and get your plumbing working again. As Painesville's professional plumbers, we're standing by to help whenever you have a clog. Below, we break down the basics of how drain snakes work to give you a better sense of what to expect and how we take care of even the most stubborn clogs. 

What Is a Drain Snake?

You'll find a drain snake — also called a bathroom sink snake, a plumber's snake, or a drain auger — in every plumber's toolkit. Designed for clearing minor clogs caused by hair, food, soap scum, and paper products, the easy-to-use tool can quickly move through the pipes and remove debris from the U-shaped trap under the sink. For bigger clogs in toilets, plumbers use a toilet auger, a larger version of the bathroom drain snake designed to break up more substantial clogs.

Drain snakes are long, flexible metal coils with an auger on the end. Most are about 20 feet long and one-quarter or three-eighths of an inch in diameter. The device has a handle on the end to the plumber can guide it into the pipe and turn it to remove the blockage. The auger works like a hook, catching large clumps of debris to pull them out.

The Advantages of Using a Drain Snake to Clear a Clogged Drain

Plumbers use bathroom sink snakes to clear clogged drains because they are simple, practical tools that don't require taking apart the plumbing or using harsh chemicals. Many homeowners call a plumber for help after their DIY approaches for clearing drains, like using a plunger, are ineffective. A drain snake breaks up whatever is causing the blockage, including hair, dental floss, and bandages in the bathroom drain.

In fact, drain snakes and toilet augers can effectively remove clogs from any drain in your home. In the kitchen, for instance, they can remove clogs caused by grease, fats, coffee grounds, and pasta, while in the bathroom, they make short work of blockages due to flushable wipes, feminine hygiene products, and cat litter. While the tool breaks the blockage into smaller pieces that can flow through the pipes, it also helps remove larger portions.

Drain snakes also eliminate the need to use harsh chemicals to clear stubborn clogs. We caution homeowners against using these products, as they can damage the pipes and cause leaks. Drain snakes are a safe, effective, and simple solution to fixing slow or blocked drains.

How Plumbers Clear Clogs with Bathroom Sink Snakes

Removing stubborn clogs from the bathroom sink or shower drain is easy with a bathroom sink snake. However, it's not as simple as just sticking the device down the drain and pulling out the hair or other gunk blocking the drain. Plumbers use a special technique to remove the entire blockage without damaging the plumbing. 

To begin, plumbers insert the bathroom snake drain into the drain slowly while turning the handle. Eventually, there will be some scraping noises, and the auger will stop turning. This sound means the snake has reached the drain trap under the sink.

Many homeowners mistake the drain trap for the blockage. It's essential to keep going with the snake, though, because it's more likely that the clog is further along in the pipes. Professional plumbers have the experience to know when the auger hits the blockage and can avoid stopping too soon. 

Once the auger hits the clog, the plumber turns the snake until the clog starts to disintegrate. When the auger moves freely, they'll slowly pull the bathroom sink snake out of the drain, bringing the remnants of whatever was blocking it. After running hot water for a few minutes to rinse the pipe, you shouldn't have any more problems with a clogged bathroom sink. 

Can a Drain Snake Clear Any Clog?

Drain snakes are ideal for clearing minor clogs, like those caused by food waste, hair, soap scum, grease, and paper products. If the snake can reach the blockage and break through, it will correct the problem. 

Sometimes, a plumber's snake isn't adequate for clearing clogged drains and pipes. If the clog is deeper within the pipes than the device can reach, is especially large or hard, or is within the sewer lines, a plumber will need a more advanced tool and approach to clog removal. 

Tree roots, for example, are a common cause of sewer line blockages. As trees grow, the roots can spread and infiltrate the sewer lines, and eventually, this can mean sewer backups and leaks. In these cases, plumbers use high-powered water jets and rotating heads to cut through the tree roots. 

Rely on Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. to Take Care of Stubborn Clogs 

If you try to clear a sink backup with a plunger, and it doesn't work — or only works temporarily — you need a professional with the right tools to fix the problem. Although one of the most frequently asked plumbing questions is, "Can I just use some drain cleaner?" we strongly recommend avoiding toxic and potentially dangerous chemicals to clear drains. Calling one of our trained and experienced plumbers to deal with the blockage with a bathroom sink snake is a much safer and faster way of managing a clogged drain.

The sooner you take care of a slow or clogged drain, the better. At the first sign of a problem, schedule an appointment with Painesville, OH's trusted choice, Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co., to have one of their plumbing contractors make repairs. You can reach us at 440-435-3850 or schedule an appointment online.