Why Using a Plumber Snake on Your Own Could Be a Poor Decision

Are you an amateur plumber? Most people are, or think they are, and that’s understandable. Sometimes it’s easier to “do-it-yourself” than have to wait around for a professional to arrive and get to work. That said, plumbing can be a tricky thing. For instance, you might want to use a plumbing snake to remove a clog, but that could be a costly mistake.

Plumbing snakes, also known as pipe snakes, are coiled wire tools people use to unclog drains. Typically, clogged drains become unclogged with a combination of a plunger, a plumbing snake and/or a drain auger.

What most do-it-yourselfers don’t realize is that there are different types of plumbing snakes, and oftentimes they pick the wrong one for their particular job, which ends up causing more trouble than it’s worth.

For your information, here’s a quick guide to what’s “out there” to buy/rent and use…

Plumbing Snake Guide

“Top snakes” are generally small. They can be manual or electric. They’re typically used for small clogs; Longer ones may go down the drain some 25 feet.

“Toilet augers” are made to specifically unclog toilets. When a plain plunger isn’t cutting it, the auger is used because it has a hand crank and flexible cable. This cable descends down into the toilet drain and breaks up the clog. Meanwhile, it’s designed not to easily scratch a toilet’s porcelain bowl.

“Mini-rooters” use electricity via a foot pedal to go down into pipes. They’re typically used to clear kitchen or washing machine lines, extending more than 25 feet into pipe systems.

“Large drain machines” have cables extending more than 50 feet. Should you have a big, wide drain that’s three inches wide or more, the large drain machine works well to clear it.

If and when you choose to use a plumbing snake you bought at the local store, keep in mind the force you exert on it may end up cracking or breaking your pipe(s) below, especially if they’re old pipes. If you use one for a toilet, you could end up scratching your porcelain bowl. Plus, safety-wise, consider that the coiled wire might recoil back at you, injuring you– ouch!

For clogged drains in Arizona, people call Brutinel Plumbing to come take care of them safely and professionally. Should you have a clogged drain and don’t want to “chance it” snaking it on your own, please contact Brutinel at 520-836-5802.