How do you use a septic snake?

The basic process is as follows:

1. Push the end of the snake into the drain opening and turn the handle on the drum that contains the coiled-up snake.
2. Keep pushing more of the snake into the drain until you feel resistance.
3. Rotate the snake against the blockage until you feel it feed freely into the pipe.

How do you use a drain snake outside?

Overview of Steps

1. Locate and clean around the outside of the cleanout plug to keep leaves and dirt from falling into it.
2. Place the root cutting head of the auger in the cleanout access and turn on auger’s power.
3. Feed the auger cable into the drain until resistance can be felt as it meets and begins to cut at roots.

How do drain cleaners work?

Caustic drain cleaners contain ingredients such as lye that give electrons to the material causing the clog. This creates a chemical reaction that produces heat and makes grease thinner and easier to dissolve. They are most useful for drains that have been clogged with greases such as a kitchen sink or grease trap.

How do you do a snake cleanout?

Steps For How to Clear A Main Sewer Line Clog

1. Loosen the Drain Pipe Cap (Cleanout Pipe) The first step is to find your main drain cleanout location.
2. Remove Cap, Allow Build-Up to Drain. Once you remove the cleanout cap, step away quickly.
3. Insert the Snake into Pipe.
4. Run the Tool Until Clog Is Gone.
5. Clean Up.

What if drain snake doesn’t work?

If the auger still doesn`t work, call a plumber. If you can`t remove an obstruction in a sink drain by using an auger inserted into the drain, tackle the clog through the U-shaped trap under the sink. If there`s a clean-out plug at the low point of the trap, remove the plug with pliers or an adjustable wrench.

Can a drain snake break a pipe?

Typically, snakes don’t tend to break unless there is a large problem with the sewer pipe itself (or the presence of a large root), in which case excavation is often the only solution. The sewer pipe will have to be dug up (or at least a portion of it removed), the snake removed and then the pipe repaired.