Drain Snaking

Serving Portland OR | Beaverton OR | Clackamas OR | Vancouver WA

What did the drain snake say to the clog? “Hissss is the end of the line for you!”

Drain snakes are a plumber’s best friend. And, no, they aren’t slithering reptiles that live in your pipes! They are actually a useful tool that can be used to remove blockages from your drain lines. Not only are drain snakes simple and easy to use, but they can also be a relatively inexpensive way to treat clogs quickly.

What Are Drain Snakes?

Also called plumbing snakes, drain snakes are a great tool for removing built-up debris from your pipes. These devices look like long and thin cables with small barbed or spiraled heads. The long cable is flexible and allows the snake to be inserted into your drain lines, while the barbed head helps cut through or remove blockages.

Drain snakes aren’t just for plumbers, either; these useful tools are sold at most department stores, and they are often fairly inexpensive. Thanks to their simplicity, they are a great first defense against clogged drains.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

Thankfully, drain snakes are very intuitive and easy to use. They can also be incredibly effective against blockages made from debris such as hair, dirt, and soap scum. However, these brilliant tools are not designed to take on every type of blockage. Here are some signs that it’s time to ditch the drain snake and call a plumber:

• The drain is still clogged. Drain snakes are great, but they are not equipped to handle every clog. If you’ve tried snaking your drain and still aren’t seeing results, it may be time to call in a professional.
• Water is gurgling up your pipes. There’s nothing worse than watching water slowly spill out of your drains and onto the floor! Water gurgling up your pipes is a serious issue that could be a sign that your main sewer line is clogged, which is a problem that goes beyond the power of drain snakes. If you are dealing with backflow problems, it’s best to get a plumber on the job ASAP.
• Several fixtures are clogged at the same time. If your plumbing problems extend beyond one drain, you could be facing a bigger problem than a small blockage. House-wide clogs or slow draining could be a sign that it’s time to call a plumber.

If you’ve tried everything to get rid of the clog, or if you see any of these signs, it may be time to call your local plumbing professionals. Serving the Portland OR and Vancouver WA area since 1927, the experts at D & F Plumbing are here to help! Not only do we offer advanced drain snaking, but we also provide additional services such as hydro jetting to get rid of blockages once and for all. If you need help with a stubborn clog, call us today to schedule an appointment!

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