Mostdrain clogsdue to soft debris can be snagged and pulled out with a drain snake.

This simple, low-cost rig saves time and money by eliminating the need to call a plumber.

What Is a Drain Snake?

Blue drain snake held in front of under the sink pipes

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

The end of the cable has a corkscrew-bang out spring that removes clogs in drains.

Pushed by hand, the cable uncoils from the drum and advances through the drain.

Safety Considerations

Wear safety glasses and gloves.

Materials and tools to snake a drain

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

If the drain containsliquid drain openers, flush it with water before snaking it.

You’ll find small and medium snakes and augers for kitchen and bath use.

By hand, extend the cable and push it into the drain pipe.

P-trap removed from underneath sink drain

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Stop when you reach an obstruction.

Snag Obstruction

Tighten the thumbscrew on the drum.

Slowly rotate the drain snake handle two or three times.

Drain snake cable extended into drain pipe

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Retract Cable

Loosen the thumbscrew once again.

By hand, slowly pull the cable back toward you.

Pull the cable straight out; avoid turning it.

Thumbscrew on snake drum tightened to snag obstruction

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Clear Drain Snake

erase the debris from the end of the drain snake.

Test Drain Flow

Reassemble the drainage pipe.

execute the water to test for drainage.

Drain snake cable retracted from drain pipe

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Clean Drain Snake

After snaking the drain, it is important to wash off the drain snake.

Also, if the cable is left wet, it will rust.

After washing the cable, let it dry.

Paper towel removing debris from end of drain snake with bucket underneath

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Drain snakes cannot cut through obstructions.

Call a plumber or a rooter-punch in service for cutting through and dislodging solid items like tree roots.

Do not run water before using the drain snake.

Drain snake reinserted into pipe to continue clearing

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

So, be patient when working the auger through the first part of the shower drain.

P-trap reassembled to drainage pipe under sink

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Drain snake cleaned off with paper towel in sink

The Spruce / Kevin Norris