In general, many homeowners consider that drain snaking is an easy procedure that could fix any clogged sewer lines. However, it is not completely true, as it is necessary to know the advantages of plumbing snakes when and where they should be used and where they shouldn’t be used. Also, you should know how to use a snake to obtain effective results. 

How can plumbing snake help?

A drain snake or plumbing snake is a flexible, long pipe that is wrapped around a metal coil. The pipe and coil can be turned inside the sewer like a screw movement using a handle. You can also find snakes connected to the motor for a more efficient and fast turning mechanism. The snakes that come with a motor are known as augers. 

Drain snake clears drain pipes as the coil of the snake will latch the debris that is clogging the drain pipe and take the waste out when you spin the handle. Usually, the drains get clogged in bathroom showers and sink because of hair. The coil of the snake pulls the hair out from the pipe and unclogs the drain efficiently. It can also be used in toilets, it pulls out toilet paper, cotton balls, sanitary pads, dental floss, diapers, cotton swabs, and other materials that are flushed in the toilet. 

Sometimes drain snaking is also works efficiently in kitchen sinks, it pulls food particles, stringy vegetables, and other unwanted particles using the coil and clears the drain line. 

When can you use Drain Snake and how is it useful?

Drain snaking is very beneficial when your drains are partially clogged with particles but do not cause complete blockage. If the water in your bathroom sink or kitchen sink drains very slowly, then snaking can clear the pipes effortlessly. 

Complete blockages that prevent the snake from clearing the clog often impose other drain cleaning methods, like hydro-jetting, which uses high pressure to push stuck material through the piping. Also, it can be used in clearing the kitchen sinks as drain pipes get clogged with hardened grease that won’t get stuck on the coils. Using drain snaking in such places is not efficient as it won’t give you effective results. Also, drain snaking does not help clear the stubborn obstructions in kitchen sinks. 

Plumbing snake for drain pipes:

Kitchen sinks get clogged quickly with hardened grease that wouldn’t latch on the coils. For this kind of problem, drain snaking is not an efficient option as it is not helpful to remove blockages in kitchen sinks. 

A drain snake is useful particularly to clear the pipe by using baking soda, hot water, and vinegar to clear the clog in drain pipes.  The drain snake removes materials that are partially blocking the pipe easily. 

Some people try to use chemical cleaners to clear sewer lines in their house, however, snaking is the best choice. This is because chemical drain cleaners damage and weaken the drain pipes, and sometimes these products are hazardous to use as they contain acids.  

Also, some homeowners prefer plungers to clear the drain pipes, but to clear the clog you need to put a lot of pressure, which could damage the piping. That is the reason most plumbers prefer snaking as it is the best and most appropriate solution. 

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Clogged drains not just give you a headache but also it is an expensive job if you hire a professional plumber, and they charge for each clogged drain differently. Here you can find some rough estimations that a plumber might charge you for providing the snaking drain service. Although many differences need to be considered, overall charges for drain snaking is given below.

Simple Clogs:

You should know that the cost for the snake draining service will differ as it depends on the place you leave and the type of clog. For simple clogs, approximately, the professional will charge around 109 dollars to 214 dollars to clear clogs in the shower, kitchen, bathroom, or bathtub. If you are having a clogging issue at the laundry drain, then they may charge you more which could be between 151 dollars and 214 dollars. If the clogged drain issue is at the toilet, then the cost may range between 109 dollars to 273 dollars. 

Also, you should know that all these above-mentioned fees do not include the plumber’s service cost. This cost may differ from one company to another, but approximately it will be around 50 dollars or so. To get a precise estimation, you can call service providers who are nearer to your home, they can provide a quote directly.  

Complex Clogs:

In some cases, the homeowner might have more than one sewer line clogging issue. This kind of situation signifies that there is a major clogging issue in the main sewer line. This kind of clogging issue causes major backed up or overflow of sewage into the home and most of the time these are the most common issues that many homeowners face. If you have a major sewer line clogging issue, then you should stop using water and any appliance in your home to prevent imposing expensive damages and flooding. For main sewer line clogs, you must call a professional plumbing service provider immediately. These service providers may charge approximately between 200 dollars and 500 dollars to snake a main sewer line clog. 

Further than Snaking:

Sometimes sewer line clogging can be occurred due to grease buildup inside the line. If you have this kind of clogging issue, then drain snaking wouldn’t fix the problem. You have to look beyond snaking, using an HPWS (High-Pressure Water System) can help you clear the clog in the main sewer line. This HPWS method is a bit more expensive and costs between 400 dollars and 1000 dollars, also the cost may vary depending on the asperity of the clog. 

Conclusion:

Plumbing or drain snaking estimation may differ as per the travel distance, job size, season, and region. Some plumbing services offer free estimates, but some services might charge around 50 dollars to 200 dollars call-out fee that covers the initial hour of the task.