How To Use a Plumbing Snake in Shaker Heights, Ohio

Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. is the local leader in plumbing repairs in Shaker Heights, Ohio. We understand the quirks of our local plumbing systems, and we'd like to walk you through how to use a plumbing snake on minor clogs at home. We'll assess what types of clogs the tool can clear, and when it’s time to call us for expert help.

What Is a Plumbing Snake?

A plumbing snake, also called a drain snake, is a flexible, coiled cable with a corkscrew-like tip that you manually feed into a drain to clear out a drain clog. The tool works by either breaking up the blockage or grabbing it so you can pull it out.

Homeowners in Shaker Heights may find these tools especially useful for tackling hair and grease buildup in older drain pipes or for clearing common kitchen or bathroom sink blockages. You can find a basic hand-crank snake at any hardware store around our area.

How To Use a Plumbing Snake in Your Shaker Heights Home

If you're comfortable with some simple home troubleshooting, you can follow these steps:

1. Prepare the Area

Wear latex gloves and put down some towels or a bucket to catch water if you're working around a P-trap below a sink. Remove any drain covers over bathroom sinks or showers. 

2. Insert the Snake

Gently rotate the handle as you insert the drain snake. Expect to feel resistance when you reach the pipe blockage.

3. Break Up or Retrieve the Clog

Continue turning the crank to either break up the clog or hook into the blockage. Some materials may come up when you remove the snake. 

4. Remove and Clean

Pull the snake back slowly while rotating. Be prepared for some mess, especially if the blockage contains organic material. Clean the tool thoroughly after use.

5. Flush and Test

Run hot water to see if the water drains freely. If not, you may need to repeat the process or call your local professional plumber.

What Clogs Can You Tackle on Your Own?

Most Shaker Heights homeowners can handle minor drain cleaning tasks using a snake. They can be useful against light hair and soap buildup, and some organic material close to a drain. 

Our area's older homes may still have original cast iron or galvanized pipes, and those demand extra care to avoid damage when you're experimenting with how to use a plumbing snake. Don’t force the snake or crank too aggressively, and if you're not sure, call your plumber.

When To Call a Trusted Professional Plumber

If your DIY attempt fails or if it becomes apparent the problem is deeper than a store-bought drain snake can reach, it's time to bring in your local expert. Call your plumber if:

• The plumbing snake can’t get through the blockage.
• Water backs up in several fixtures at once.
• You smell sewage or hear gurgling from the drains.
• The clogged drain returns shortly after your snaking attempt.

These warning signs often point to a deeper pipe blockage in the main sewer line, and that's something that requires expertise and professional-grade equipment. Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. uses motorized augers, root-cutting tools, and real-time video camera inspections in Shaker Heights to locate and eliminate stubborn clogs safely.

Do Plumbers Use Better Equipment?

While a homeowner’s snake can sometimes work on simple blockages close to the fixture, plumbers have tools that reach more than 100 feet into sewer lines. Our technicians in Shaker Heights know everything about how to use a plumbing snake, but also have access to:

• Motorized augers: These heavy-duty snakes power through dense grease and even tree roots.
• Hydro-jetting systems: High-pressure water blasts away buildup and scale inside your pipes.

Drain cameras: These let us see exactly where the clog is and what’s causing it, and that saves time and prevents pipe damage.

Trust Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. When You Have More Than a Simple Clog in Shaker Heights

Using a plumbing snake is a solid first step when dealing with a drain clog. But a simple hand tool won't solve every problem, especially those involving deep blockages affecting multiple drains. 



Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. has the experience and equipment to solve problems that go beyond simple troubleshooting. Now that we've discussed how to use a plumbing snake, look over our other posts on related topics like how to snake a 90-degree drain.

Contact us to schedule service with Shaker Heights' trusted local team of expert plumbers!