Snaking Your Drain Not Working

Looking for expert plumbing help? Call Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. at (847) 268-3553.

Having a clogged drain is frustrating, but it’s even more frustrating when you spend a lot of time snaking it, only to end up with a still-clogged plumbing system. Now you’re left wondering, “Why is snaking my drain not working?” and “What do I do now?”

If your drain clog doesn’t budge even after a thorough snaking, you can try a couple of other steps to free up your pipes and restore your plumbing system’s efficiency. 

As the top-rated drain cleaning experts in Naperville, our team at Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. has everything needed to unclog drains and solve pretty much any other plumbing problem. We have years of experience and a passion for serving our Naperville neighbors, so you can trust us to deliver the results you expect from professional plumbers. 

If using a drain snake isn’t working out for you, consider the following to get your plumbing system back up and running. 

Figure Out If You’re Using the Right Type of Drain Snake

A common problem homeowners tend to experience when trying to free up their drains is using the wrong type of drain snake. Although you may not realize it, drain snakes come in multiple different forms, and it’s very important to use the right one for your particular problem. Otherwise, you’ll end up wasting a lot of time and effort.

So what are the different types of drain snakes, and how do you know which one to use? Let’s take a look:

• Toilet auger: As the name implies, this type of snake is best for toilets. It consists of a short cable and a long rod, and it won’t scratch the porcelain.
• Extra-long drain auger: This type of auger is best for getting clogs that are especially deep in the plumbing system. 
• Small drum auger: This smaller drain snake is ideal for kitchen and bathroom sinks. 

As you can see, each of these different types of augers is better for different types of clogs and drains. So, for instance, if you try using a small drum auger for a toilet clog, you likely won’t be very successful. Meanwhile, you’ll probably struggle to use an extra-long drain auger on a kitchen or bathroom drain since they are smaller than the other drains.

Make Sure That the Drain Snake Is Clean

Are you using a drain snake that you previously used to get out another clog? If so, you need to make sure that it’s clean. Check and see if the old clog remnants are still in the thumbscrew; this could be preventing your drain snake from collecting the current clog. 

Ideally, you should always clean the drain snake before using it. This helps to make sure that any old clog remnants are gone and that the snake can get as much of the current clog as possible. 

Check If the Thumbscrew Became Unfastened

The thumbscrew is the piece on the drain snake that secures the cable inside the drum. It needs to be tight enough to allow you to rotate the cable so that the snake can actually pick up whatever material is blocking your drains. 

If the thumbscrew is too loose, you won’t be able to turn the cable, and the snake won’t pick up any of the clog-creating debris. Take a minute to tighten the thumbscrew and make sure that you can actually turn the cable while snaking the drain.

Is the Clog Too Severe?

If snaking your drain is not working and you’ve taken the above steps, the clog could simply be too severe for a drain snake.

Clogs that gradually build up over time become especially stubborn and often require more than a typical drain snake to remove. When this is the case, you have two options:

1. Get a power auger
2. Hire a professional plumber

A power auger can work on most stubborn drain clogs because it can apply more pressure to the clog. So if drain snaking doesn’t work, give the power auger a go. 

But if you don’t have a power auger or even that doesn’t get rid of the clog, then it’s time to call professional plumbers. Professionals have state-of-the-art tools and a lot of industry experience, so they can eliminate even the deepest and most stubborn plumbing clogs.

When in Doubt, Call a Professional

The best and easiest thing to do when dealing with a stubborn drain clog is to call a professional. Reputable plumbers have years of experience working with all types of plumbing systems, and they’ve worked with just about every type of plumbing problem. 

A professional can quickly inspect your plumbing system, find the clog, determine how severe it is, and figure out the best and more cost-effective drain cleaning solution. Hiring a professional can also save you a lot of time and headaches since you won’t have to worry about finding the right tools for the job. 

Plus, professionals can easily identify other problems within your plumbing system. So if they spot another issue with your pipe while snaking the drain, they can alert you and provide a prompt solution to prevent the issue from worsening.

Reach Out to Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. for All Your Plumbing Needs

Our expert plumbers at Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. have years of experience working with residential and commercial plumbing systems. We use the best tools in the market to deliver efficient and effective services that quickly restore your plumbing system and eliminate even the most stubborn clogs. 

Is snaking the drain not working? Are you looking for an easier way to get rid of clogs and free up your drains? Then give our licensed and insured plumbers a call. 

Call our Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. team at (847) 268-3553 today to schedule a top-rated plumbing service and learn more about what types of drain snakes and drain cleaning chemicals will work best for your plumbing problem.