How To Use A Manual Drain Auger

Have you lot ever idea nigh unblocking a clogged bleed but weren't sure how to utilise a drain auger? Then this is the article for you!

Today, I'chiliad going to talk well-nigh augers (besides called plumber's snakes or drain snakes): what they are, how to utilize them correctly, how to select one, and a couple of cautions. Allow's get started.

What is a Drain Auger?

A bleed auger is a tool used to remove clogs and debris from a drain. Its long, snake-like cable is why an auger (in the plumbing world) is also called a plumber's snake or drain serpent.

Drain augers are manually powered (which is the master divergence between them and ability augers). The flexible metal cable — which comes in varying lengths and is often independent in a drum — is turned past mitt after existence inserted. The twisting and turning action of the cable allows the corkscrew to break upwards or stick to the obstruction in the drain.

In that location are other, similar types of augers as well. For instance, a toilet auger, every bit its name implies, is fabricated specifically for a toilet. Simply it won't work well on longer drainpipes. A manual drain auger costs as little as $10 to $50 or hundreds of dollars for professional models that are powered.

what is a drain auger — This manual bleed auger has a cable with a coiled, corkscrew stop, a drum that houses about of the cable, and a handle that is cranked. The cranking motion allows the cable to twist inside the pipe while you lot are pushing and pulling the cable through the blockage.

Selecting a Bleed Auger

Drain augers are useful when a clog is too much to clear with natural remedies (see below) or a plunger. The best augers have a coiled cable that wraps within a housing called a drum. You might meet the drain auger called a drum auger for that reason.

Information technology will also include a crank. This makes it easier to spin the cable inside the drain. This motion will assist break upwardly clogs and clear the blockage.

How to Use a Drain Auger

When using a bleed auger, yous tin get through the drain or remove the trap, depending on where you think the clog is located. If the clog is closer to the bleed opening, enter through the drain. If you believe information technology's located further down the drain, and then enter through the trap.

To employ the auger, loosen the setscrew and push the auger cablevision into the drain or pipe. When y'all feel resistance, you are probably up against the clog.

Pull an extra six to eight inches of cable out of the drum (the housing for the cablevision) and turn the creepo on the auger. Utilise moderate force every bit you lot push the auger into the drainpipe. Sometimes, that's all you lot need to clear the blockage.

When the free cable has worked into the piping, loosen the setscrew and pull out another 6 to 8 inches. Firmly move the snake back and along until the blockage is removed. Pour water down the drain to brand certain the pipe is cleared of its clog. If water continues to support, you need to insert the auger farther into the bleed and repeat the process.

how to use a drain auger - remove the trap — For clogs that are located further down the pipe, you volition demand to insert the bleed auger's cable into the pipe in the wall. To do this, remove the trap and other pieces of plumbing that lead into the wall.

ane. Getting Started

Place a drib cloth or dishpan beneath the drain opening and wear gloves.
Remove the trap and elbow, likewise equally the pipe that leads to the wall.
Loosen the setscrew of the auger and button the auger cablevision into the drainpipe until you feel resistance.
Extend six to 8 inches of cablevision from the housing to piece of work with, then tighten the screw.
Creepo the auger handle clockwise, pushing it in until the auger moves forrad.
Once it is by an obstacle (like a bend in the piping), you might exist able to button the cable in without cranking it.

2. The Push & Pull Technique

Apply a push and pull movement to articulate our whatever obstruction.
Frequently the blockage will come up out with the cable.
Sometimes, the auger clears the line by pushing the blockage through to a larger pipe further down.
Echo the process subsequently pouring water down the drain to examination if the block has been removed.

Exist Careful When Augering

Always use gloves and goggles (safety spectacles) to avoid skin contact with bacteria. Practise NOT use chemical bleed cleaners; they can burn pare, damage eyes, and corrode your pipes.

Much amend solutions are natural remedies, like boiling some h2o and pouring it down the sink. Boiled h2o is much hotter than tap water and will dissolve sliding coating the walls of your drainpipes. Do this once every ii or iii months and you lot'll avoid most clogs.

are chemical drain cleaners safe - time lapse of sulfuric acid on steel pipe — A drain cleaner can do every bit much impairment to your pipes as they do to your skin or eyes. Avoid them. Use natural remedies instead for preventative maintenance.

Utilize care while feeding the drain auger's cable into the drain. It is possible to button the trap apart or damage information technology if yous push button the auger too difficult.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to use a drain auger isn't difficult. In fact, it's quite easy. In addition to the step-by-step instructions, keep in mind the extra precautions: no chemical cleaners, .

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Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don't hesitate to contact u.s.a. hither or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (i-866-758-6237) if y'all demand assistance unclogging or unblocking a drain.

1-Tom-Plumber'south certified squad of plumbers and bleed technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or h2o damage problem. We besides handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every solar day and night of the yr, even on holidays.