Experiencing a plumbing drama and wondering if the old faithful drain snake might be your best solution? Or you may be pondering, are these even used anymore? Rest assured, Professional Plumbers utilise an array of tools and techniques, including the simple yet effective drain snake.
Contents
- Introducing the Drain Snake
- The Functionality of Drain Snakes
- Variety in Drain Snakes
- Drain Snake for Washbasins
- Unclogging Toilets with Snakes
- Snaking Bathtubs and Showers
- Navigating Drain Snakes Around Corners
- Drain Snake: The Success and Failure
- Safe Usage of Drain Snakes
- Protecting Drains from Blockages
- Key Scenarios for Drain Snakes
- Wrapping Up
Introducing the Drain Snake
Commonly known as the “Plumber’s snake”, this handy tool has been widely used in the Plumbing industry for many years. According to a survey by the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association, 91% of plumbing companies offer drain cleaning services, many of them utilising the indispensable drain snake[1]. Essentially, a drain snake is a flexible auger designed to dislodge clogs in your pipes. A 2019 study revealed that over 85% of professional plumbers have used a drain snake or an auger as part of their services[2].
In contrast to other aggressive methods that could potentially damage aging infrastructure, the plumbing industry favours the use of this tool. Industry data suggests that in older homes with aging pipes, using a drain snake is preferred to prevent damage – accounting for nearly 60% of interventions[7]!
The Functionality of Drain Snakes
A drain snake conveniently offers an alternative to more harsh chemical solutions, often providing quick results without negative environmental impacts. Your friendly plumber inserts one end of this tool into your clog-ridden pipe while turning the handle at the other end. This action allows the cable to break up whatever is obstructing your flow. As per reports from a major plumbing services company, approximately 30-40% of their service calls required the use of a drain snake[4].
The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity and effectiveness, making it a staple in the toolkit of the modern plumber. According to industry data, sales of manual and motorised augers contribute to about 15% of all plumbing tool sales in the United States[8]. Furthermore, a market study completed in 2018 predicts demand for hand augers and electric drain snakes to rise by 5% over the next five years[5].
Variety in Drain Snakes
Understanding that different clogs require different tools, the plumbing industry offers numerous types of drain snakes. A consumer survey disclosed that approximately 67% of homeowners have tried unclogging a drain themselves using a manual drain snake before dialling a plumber[6]. These DIY-friendly devices are affordable and easy to operate but remember, when in doubt – call your trusty plumber!
In situations where manual options may not suffice, professional plumbers will resort to motorised versions. Thicker, longer, and equipped with more robust cables, these mighty machines are engineered for tougher jobs.
Drain Snake for Washbasins
The hand spinner, a smaller variant of a drain snake is specifically designed for unclogging sink drains effectively. The long, thin and flexible cable can navigate through the bends in pipes under your washbasin with ease. Its smaller size allows it to manoeuvre around the trap, a curved section of pipe designed to trap debris.
On most occasions when homeowners try ‘do it yourself’ hacks like strong liquid cleaners or using wire hangers, they unintentionally cause more damage to pipes. A plumber using a drain snake is indeed a less risky and more sustainable option.
Unclogging Toilets with Snakes
Toilet clogs can turn your day upside down in a matter of seconds. Unleashing a toilet snake, also known as a closet auger, is an effective and efficient solution for this situation. Its bent tube allows it to reach around the s-trap in toilets effortlessly to clean out obstructions.
Especially designed to be safe for porcelain surfaces, the protected, coil-like design prevents scratches or cracks. Professional plumbers, like those at Dan’s Plumbing, consider it as an integral part of their arsenal.
Snaking Bathtubs and Showers
Indulging in a peaceful bath or shower can be ruined by standing water as a result of slow drainage. Plumbers often resort to using a drain snake to sort this out. Thanks to its flexible nature, it can bypass the drum trap present in most bathtubs and showers effortlessly to reach the obstruction.
The operation requires care due to the risk of scratching or damaging the finish on your fixtures. However, when operated by a seasoned plumber who is assisted by innovative tools from well-established manufacturers like RIDGID, you have nothing to worry about.
When you find your trusty toilet, shower drain, or sink acting up, a plumber’s snake can really be your faithful tool of choice. This long, flexible metal rod gets down and dirty where you can’t see to clear away the blockage that’s disrupting your plumbing flow.
The tricky part starts when you have to navigate these drain snakes around corners and bends in the system. The flexible design of the snake is what makes this maneuver possible. According to “Hydraulic Engineering”, it’s often a mixed bag of success and failure. Indeed, its flexibility sometimes means that the snake could get stuck within the system itself.
Drain Snake: The Success and Failure
As previously mentioned, the success rate of using a drain snake varies widely. According to a survey by the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association, 91% of plumbers use drain cleaning as a primary service. Furthermore, a 2019 study revealed that over 85% of professional plumbers have used a drain snake or an auger successfully as part of their services.
However, issues begin when homeowners attempt to use these tools without professional guidance. A consumer survey reported a whopping 67% of homeowners tried to unclog a drain themselves using a manual drain snake before calling in the professionals. Not all of these attempts were successful, leading to some failures and damages that could add up costs in repairs later on.
Safe Usage of Drain Snakes
Safety is paramount when it comes to DIY plumbing tasks such as wielding a plumber’s snake. As per advice from “Environmental Engineering”, preventing unnecessary damage requires careful operation when dealing with fragile and potentially brittle pipes, especially in older houses.
Acknowledging that inexperienced hands can cause potential damage, the plumbing industry’s analysis revealed that in older homes with aging pipes, the use of professional plumbers yielding drain snakes was preferred in approximately 60% of incidents. Therefore, hiring trained professionals from Dan’s Plumbing ensures safe usage of this tool on your blocked drains.
Protecting Drains from Blockages
If you’ve dealt with clogged drains multiple times, you might want to evaluate your habits and day-to-day behaviour. Protecting your drains from blockages takes conscious effort and a bit of foresight – keeping an eye out on what goes down the plumbing system.
From hair in shower traps to kitchen waste down the sink, it’s crucial to prevent such common culprits from entering your drains whenever possible. Most importantly, regular checks and professional cleaning go a long way towards maintaining the health of your drains, as suggested by “Sanitation” magazine.
Key Scenarios for Drain Snakes
While not every plumbing incident calls for the use of a drain snake, there are some clear-cut scenarios where its use is highly effective. For instance, heavy blockages caused by solid material or clusters of small objects often require the dislodging power of a drain snake.
On another hand, specially-designed smaller snakes work wonders for fixtures such as sink and shower drains. However, always remember that despite your best efforts, tricky cases may still demand professional intervention. When in doubt? Call Dan’s Plumbing!
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, plumbers’ snakes play an essential role in coping with stubborn blockages in both commercial and residential plumbing. They’re not outdated by any means but must be used correctly to avoid any potential damage. Most importantly, don’t forget that hiring a professional like Dan’s Plumbing maximizes the efficiency of this tool and ensures your plumbing system remains unharmed and functional in the long run.
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