How to Use a Drain Snake (And When You Shouldn’t)

If your sink, toilet, or bathtub isn’t draining, you might be tempted to try DIY fixes like baking soda and vinegar, boiling water, or dish soap. But the truth is, those methods rarely work — and in some cases, they can even make the problem worse.

For a fast, effective solution, you need a drain snake. This simple tool can reach deep into your pipes to break apart or pull out clogs, getting your drains flowing again in minutes.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to use a drain snake, when you shouldn’t, and when it’s time to call a plumber.

What is a Drain Snake?

A drain snake is a simple but effective plumbing tool used to clear clogs from sinks, bathtubs, and showers. It consists of a long, flexible coiled wire with a corkscrew tip that grabs onto blockages or breaks them apart as you push it through the pipe.

Most drain snakes are hand-cranked, but heavy-duty models can be attached to a power drill or come with a motorized reel for tougher jobs.

How Do Drain Snakes Work?

Clogs happen when hair, grease, food, or other debris gets stuck deep inside your pipes. Water backs up behind the blockage, causing slow drainage or even overflows.

A drain snake solves this by pushing a flexible, coiled wire through the pipe until it reaches the clog. As you turn the crank, the corkscrew tip either breaks the clog apart or grabs onto it so you can pull it out.

Most household drain snakes reach 25 to 50 feet into the plumbing. Sometimes, it takes more than one attempt to fully clear a clog, but once water starts flowing freely again, you’ll know the job is done.

How to Use Unclog a Toilet With a Drain Snake

A clogged toilet demands a prompt solution, especially if it’s about to overflow or is the only one in the house. When a plunger doesn’t work — or if you need to retrieve an object that got flushed —  you’ll need to use a closet auger, not a drain snake. Here’s how that works.

Safety Precautions

• Always wear protective gear, like rubber gloves and safety goggles.
• Never use drain cleaners and other chemicals while snaking the drain.
• Hold the curved end of the auger firmly in the bottom of the toilet to remain in control of the coiled wire.

Tools & Materials Required

When unclogging a toilet with a closet or toilet auger, you will need:

• Toilet auger
• Rubber gloves
• Safety goggles

Steps

Step 1. Guide the toilet auger cable into position

Put on your gloves and safety goggles. Fully extend the handle to pull the corkscrew end of the cable up to the mouth of the tube. Then, insert the curved end of the tube into the drain at the bottom of the toilet bowl.

Step 2. Crank the auger to clear the blockage

While holding the tube steady, turn the crank while pushing down to work the coiled wire through the toilet drain. Work slowly to keep the wire from twisting or turning back on itself. Crank the opposite way if you feel like it’s stuck, and then go back to cranking the wire out until it’s fully extended.

Step 3. Pull the coiled wire out of the toilet

Pull the auger handle straight up to remove the coiled wire from the toilet. Check the coiled end for any objects you need to throw away. Flush to see if the blockage is gone. If not, repeat the process until it is. If the clog is further down the pipe, you may need to go through the cleanout instead to remove it. 

How to Use Unclog a Sink With a Drain Snake

Sink drain clogs develop slowly, causing the water to drain at a trickle before fully backing up. As soon as you notice the issue, it’s wise to get out the drain snake and clear the obstruction. Here’s how.

Safety Precautions

• Wear your safety goggles and rubber gloves to stay clean and avoid injuries.
• Bring your patience and go slowly to avoid causing the auger cable to turn back on itself.
• Skip the drain cleaners and other chemicals if you’re going to be snaking the drain.  

Tools & Materials Required

When clearing a sink blockage, you will need:

• Handheld or heavy-duty drain snake
• Tongue-and-groove pliers 
• Safety goggles
• Rubber gloves
• Basin

Steps

Step 1. Plan your approach

When clearing clogs in the sink, either go directly through the drain or work from the bottom by removing the P-trap. Although it’s an extra step, removing the P-trap eliminates the need to guide the coiled wire through its tight twists and turns. Either way, be sure to put on your gloves and safety goggles before getting started.

Step 2. Remove the sink stopper

If you’re working from above, remove the sink stopper by gently twisting it out. On some sinks, you may need to remove the horizontal rod holding the stopper in place. If that’s the case, go straight to removing the P-trap located below the sink.

Step 3. Consider disconnecting the P-trap

Before disconnecting the P-trap, put a basin underneath to catch any water that comes out. After that, turn the slip-nut joints at either side of the sink trap counterclockwise. You may be able to do this by hand, but if it’s stuck, use tongue-and-groove pliers to break the nut loose. 

Step 4. Snake the sink drain  

Insert the auger head into the pipe or drain opening. Firmly push the coiled wire into the pipe to get it started. While holding the wire in place, pull the reel about six inches away from the opening. Lock the wire and turn the crank while applying firm pressure to feed the cable into the pipe. Unlock the wire, pull back about six inches again, lock, and crank until you reach the end of the cable. Repeat until you’ve fully extended the wire. 

Step 5. Remove the drain snake and repeat

Gently pull the plumbing snake backward out of the pipe while cranking the coiled wire back onto the reel. Remove any debris that comes up with the cable and corkscrew end. If you think the blockage remains, repeat the snaking process until it’s clear. Then, reassemble your sink and pour water down the drain to confirm you cleared the blockage. 

What Are the Different Types of Drain Snakes?

You have three different types of drain snakes to consider when unclogging the sinks and toilets in your home. Selecting the right one for the job is key to clearing the pipes fast and without causing damage.  

Handheld Drain Snake

The handheld auger is a must-have tool to have in your household. Usually under $25, this budget-friendly tool helps you quickly eliminate minor clogs, especially if you get the drill attachment model. As an added bonus, it stores away easily without taking up much space.

Closet Auger or Toilet Auger

Drain snakes are much too abrasive to use in toilets. That’s why you need a closet auger. This specialized tool does the same job as a regular plumber’s snake but without scratching or chipping the porcelain. It’s also the tool of choice when you need to grab an object out of the toilet’s drain pipes, not push the clog through. 

Heavy-Duty Drain Cleaning Machine

The heavy-duty drain cleaning machine is not necessary for every household, but it’s been a lifesaver in my mid-century home. At 50 feet long, the ½-inch coiled wire can reach clogs that form deep in all types of plumbing pipes. And its powerful motor makes quick work of even the most stubborn clogs. Unlike the handheld model, this tool takes up a lot of room, but the wheeled cart allows me to move it around with ease.

Which Types of Clogs Require Drain Snakes?

With a drain snake in hand, you have the power to eliminate all the most common types of clogs, such as:  

• Hair: Strands and clumps of hair tangle together in the bathroom drain and slow or completely block the flow of water.
• Food debris: Leftover pieces of food rinsed down the drain accumulate and create a clog.
• Cooking grease: Solidified fats, like bacon grease, narrow pipes and eventually block the entire passageway.   
• Soap scum: Soap leaves behind a thick residue on the inner drainpipe surfaces, creating a blockage.
• Objects: Toys flushed down the toilet, butter knives dropped down the kitchen sink drain, and other objects can all clog the pipes.

When Should You Not Use a Drain Snake?

Despite the sheer utility of a drain snake, it’s not for every scenario. You may need more extensive repairs or professional help when:  

• Trying to unclog side sewer pipes blocked by tree roots
• Working with old, fragile pipes prone to breakage
• You’ve used chemical drain cleaners recently
• You cannot push the coiled wire through the clog
• Repeated attempts to remove the blockage don’t work
• You’re not comfortable attempting to clear the drain yourself

How Can You Be Careful When Using a Drain Snake?

Although a drain snake is a relatively safe tool, you should still take the proper precautions to avoid injuries and damage to your home. For starters, wear protective gear like rubber gloves and safety glasses, even when using handheld plumber’s snakes. Also, choose the right tool for the job instead of using one auger for every clog type and location.

Beyond that, work slowly and use gentle pressure to prevent the coiled wire from snapping back at you. Take breaks to assess your progress and see if you need to revise your approach. Don’t be afraid to call a plumber for help as soon as you feel it’s time to throw in the towel.

7 Tips to Prevent Clogged Drains

You cannot prevent all clogs, but there are some things you can do to make them less likely to happen, like:  

• Avoid letting any grease, fats, or oils wash down the drain or install a grease trap.
• Throw away big food scraps instead of letting the garbage disposal handle them.
• Put strainers and screens in all your sinks and bathtubs to catch big particles before they wash down the drain.
• Run water for a minute or so after finishing dishes or getting out of the shower.
• Only flush waste and toilet paper down into the sewer line or septic tank
• Keep the bathroom door closed to prevent kids from flushing toys and other items.
• Snake your drains when water flow starts to slow instead of waiting until the buildup creates a full blockage.  

When Should You Call a Plumber for Clogged Drains?

Now that you know how to use a drain snake, you can expertly deploy this tool whenever your drains slow to a crawl. Well, almost anytime, that is. Keep in mind the scenarios in which it’s best to avoid snaking the drain as you encounter each clog, like when tree roots block drainage. That way, you’re prepared to call a professional plumber when necessary.

As with any home improvement project, remember to get multiple quotes to save money on plumbing services without compromising on quality. Although it might take a little extra time, it’ll help you hire an experienced plumber with confidence that you’ll get the highest quality of service at an affordable price.