drain plumbing snake

What Is a Drain Plumbing Snake?

A drain plumbing snake, also known as a drain auger, is a flexible, coiled tool used to remove clogs from household plumbing. When traditional plungers fail, a plumbing snake can reach deeper into pipes to dislodge or extract stubborn blockages. This essential tool is commonly used for kitchen sinks, bathroom drains, showers, and toilets.

How Does a Drain Snake Work?

A plumbing snake is manually or mechanically fed into the drain until it reaches the clog. Once the tip makes contact, the user cranks the handle (or activates a motorized version), causing the head to break through the blockage, hook onto it, or push it through the pipe. The debris is either pulled out or flushed through the system.

Parts of a Typical Drain Snake:

• Coiled Cable: Flexible enough to bend through drainpipes.

• Auger Head: Tip that grabs or breaks the clog.

• Crank Handle or Motor: Powers the movement.

• Drum Casing (for handheld snakes): Holds the cable.

When to Use a Drain Snake

You should consider using a plumbing snake when:

• Water is draining slowly in your sink, tub, or shower.

• You hear gurgling sounds in your pipes.

• A plunger isn’t resolving the blockage.

• You’re dealing with frequent or recurring clogs.

A drain snake is ideal for minor to moderate blockages. For more severe issues like tree roots or grease-packed sewer lines, professional tools or hydro-jetting may be necessary.

Types of Plumbing Snakes

1. Handheld Drain Snake
   Best for sinks and tubs. These are manually operated and easy to use for surface-level clogs.

2. Toilet Auger
   Specifically designed to clear toilet blockages without damaging the porcelain.

3. Drum Auger (Power Snake)
   Motorized and capable of reaching deeper blockages. Suitable for tougher clogs in kitchen lines or main drains.

4. Mini-Rooter or Sewer Snake
   Heavy-duty equipment used by pros like Drain Rooter Plumbing for clogged sewer lines or tree root intrusions.

Benefits of Using a Drain Snake

• Fast and Effective: Snakes can break up clogs quickly without needing harsh chemicals.

• Safe for Pipes: Less abrasive than chemical cleaners, which can corrode plumbing over time.

• Cost-Effective: Solves recurring clog issues without replacing pipes.

• Environmentally Friendly: No toxic runoff from drain cleaners.

Why You Should Leave It to the Pros

While DIY snaking may seem simple, it can lead to:

• Pipe damage if done incorrectly

• Temporary fixes that miss deeper problems

• Messy backups and splashes from improper use

At Drain Rooter Plumbing, our licensed plumbers use commercial-grade snakes and camera inspections to accurately locate and remove even the most stubborn clogs—without damaging your plumbing.

Signs You Need Professional Drain Snaking

• Multiple clogged drains at once

• Foul odors coming from drains

• Gurgling toilets or sinks

• Backed-up water in the tub or basement

• Persistent blockages after multiple attempts

Our Drain Snaking Process

1. Inspection – We assess the blockage and determine the right equipment.

2. Snaking – We use a drain snake suitable for your pipe type and clog severity.

3. Flushing & Testing – After clearing the clog, we flush the system and test flow.

4. Camera Inspection – For recurring issues, we’ll inspect the drain line internally.

5. Clean-Up – We leave your space as clean as we found it.

Drain Snaking vs Hydro-Jetting

While drain snaking is perfect for soft clogs like hair or toilet paper, hydro-jetting is used for grease buildup, sludge, and tree roots. Not sure what you need? Drain Rooter Plumbing can assess and recommend the most effective solution.

Emergency Drain Snaking Available 24/7

Drain blockages can happen anytime. That’s why Drain Rooter Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency plumbing services across Toronto, Mississauga, Etobicoke, and Brampton.

Call Us Today!

Don’t let a clogged drain ruin your day. Whether it’s a kitchen sink or a clogged toilet, our professional team is ready to help with fast, affordable, and effective solutions.

📞 Call (416) 477-4755
🌐 Visit www.drainrooterplumbing.ca
🛠️ Your trusted experts in drain snaking, cleaning, and full-service plumbing.