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How to Use a Plumber’s Snake
A plumber’s snake, or drain auger, is a tool that reaches down into pipes to remove clog-causing blockage. Snakes make up the middle ground between common household plungers and the really big guns. If you’re dealing with a clog too stubborn for your plunger, then a snake is your best chance to clear it out yourself.
Snakes are much more powerful drain-clearers than plungers, but they’re also slightly riskier to use. If you use your plumber’s snake improperly, then you might tear up your pipes or even create leaks. To avoid doing that, it’s important to know how your snake works and how to use it correctly. Here’s everything you should know about using a plumber’s snake.
How does a plumber’s snake work?
what is a plumber's snake?A plumber’s snake is a long, flexible metal cable with a small auger or uncoiled spring on one end and a handle on the other. The auger on the snake looks like a drill bit or a corkscrew. Home plumber’s snakes are usually around 50 feet long. The cable coils up when you’re not using it. Most home plumber’s snakes are hand-operated, and probably have a rotatable handle or even a crank.
Plumber’s snakes work by entering the drain directly to physically contact and then clear away the obstruction causing the clog. You manually insert the auger end of the snake into the drain and then begin uncoiling by rotating the handle. As the snake uncoils, the auger moves further through the drain pipe, until it breaks through the obstruction.
How do you use a plumber’s snake?
1. Put on some clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and lay some old towels beneath the pipes you’re working on. Depending on the nature of the clog, your snaking procedure could get messy. This is especially important if you end up removing the p-trap.
2. (Optional) Consider removing the p-trap. The p-trap, or p-bend, is the curving piece of pipe beneath the sink. It connects the sink to the greater drain pipe system in your home. The reason it’s curved is to prevent sewer gases from rising through the sink and into the home. P-traps are often made of PVC pipe, though they can also be metal.
You can manually remove the p-trap, either with your hands or with the help of an adjustable wrench. Once you remove the p-trap, you should thoroughly inspect and clean it out. If you find your obstruction, then you won’t have to snake at all! Even if you don’t find anything, removing the trap could make snaking easier.
3. (Optional) Consider removing the trap arm. A trap arm is the part of the pipe between the p-trap and the actual wall pipe. It holds the p-trap in place and may curve again to reach the wall. Look for a plastic or metal nut connecting the trap arm to the wall. If you can find one, loosen it to remove the trap arm. If you can’t, then it’s possible the arm is glued in place; don’t attempt to remove it in that case. Make sure you clean out the trap arm like you did the p-trap once you remove it.
Removing the trap arm gets you as close to the drain pipe as possible. Look inside the drain pipe to look for any obstructions. If you can see the obstruction, try removing it from where you are. If you can’t, you should use your snake.
4. Manually thread the auger head of the snake into the pipe. Insert the head of the snake into either the drain (if you didn’t remove the trap), or the access point on the wall. If you didn’t remove the trap, consider running cold water while you snake.
Don’t force the auger into the drain too hard, or you could damage the drain entrance or pipe. Be patient and make sure the head and cable aren’t too long for the drain you’re trying to snake.
5. Begin uncoiling the snake using the handle. Keep the handle of the snake as close to the entrance of the pipe as possible. The more slack the auger had has, the less force you’re supplying it.
Rotate the handle at a consistent pace. Don’t try to rush it or rotate too slowly. If you feel pressure at any point while the cable moves through the pipe, you may have encountered the obstruction.
6. Upon reaching the obstruction, move the rotate the head back-and-forth and up-and-down. Try to break up the obstruction as thoroughly as possible. Don’t try to jam the auger into the walls of the pipe, however. If you hear scraping noises, then you should stop snaking and re-adjust.
If you think the auger might be stuck in the obstruction, consider pulling the snake out of the pipe. In some cases, the obstruction may come out with it. Continue snaking until you no longer feel resistance and the snake uncoils to its full length.
7. Pull the snake out and re-assemble the sink components. Check the auger head for remains of the obstruction and clean it off. If you removed the trap arm and p-trap, then you should re-install them at this point.
8. Check the sink. The snake should have successfully removed the obstruction and solved the clogging problem. If you still seem to have a clog, then you could try repeating your snaking process again. Just like plunging, however, snaking too much can harm your pipes or drains. If a thorough snaking really didn’t solve your problem, then you should consider calling in the pros.
Snaking is a surprisingly easy and accessible homeowner project. As long as you understand how to use your snake, you should solve your problem without creating new ones.
Sometimes, however, you may not be able to beat that clog, no matter what you try. Don’t despair! After your snake, the next step is to call Mike Diamond. We’ve got the tools and know how to find and break up any clog, no matter how stubborn.
Once You Need a New Hot Water Tank Here is What To Do
Probably the most ignored appliances in our properties nowadays is the hot water heater, or hot water tank. We treat it like an afterthought until wintertime rolls along then find oneself surprised with the dismay of frosty water. We only comprehend the value of this appliance in the morning when the water is too chilly to handle. That's when you realize that you are ignorant of how to repair a tankless water heater.
Water Heater Life Extension Suggestions
Most hot water heaters last approximately 10 years, at which time you can expect to replace it shortly. A substitution tank could be purchased at your community hardware store when it's time if you so choose. The lifespan of these heaters can be extended either with an insulating jacket or by ensuring the calcium build up in the tank are kept to a minimum. You need to adhere to either one or both tips to make sure that it's going to be as durable as possible.
Even though it seems logical that old hot water tanks have to be replaced every so often, you may wonder if it is necessary to get it done before it pops a leak.
Exchanging The Hot Water Tank Saves Money
Of course, the most recognized reward of buying a new heater would be cutting back on your utility fees. A new water heater would, in almost every case, be more efficient than sewer drain service an older version. You'll find some things to think about together with your new purchase if you want to take full advantage of your savings which is how much use it is going to be subjected to.
An informed heating specialist will help you estimate the size and capacity of this new hot water tank based on the number of individuals in your home. Finally, more people means extra hot water.
Diverse Sorts of Hot Water Heaters
Normally, these are grouped into two categories - natural gas and electric. Gas water heaters are frequently more expensive to purchase and the electric ones could be nearly the same price at first, but frequently slightly less to buy. Plenty of people opt for the standard water heater tank, but tankless hot water heaters are likewise earning recognition, so you might want to evaluate the second sort of hot water heater.
Regardless of which type you choose, gas powered or electric, one can decide on the on-demand water heater version. Or if perhaps you are more inclined to buy into green power there are solar driven water heaters, which will reduce emissions older water heaters are well-known for. Just keep in mind the installation complexity you'll encounter with a solar water heater, so be well prepared to pay those extra installation costs.
Regardless which way you choose to go in terms of a new hot water tank, it is highly recommended you appoint a professional for the installation. This particular type of work requires an knowledge of local heating codes and appropriate venting of fumes for gas appliances. When you are not qualified in the art of installing a new water heater then look for a local heating service who's able to do the work for you.
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