What Are the Different Types of Drain Snakes For?

If you have ever experienced a clogged drain in your home or business, you know how frustrating and inconvenient it can be. A clogged drain can cause water to back up, overflow, or emit unpleasant odors, affecting your comfort and hygiene. Fortunately, there is a solution for this common plumbing problem: drain snaking.

Drain snaking is a method of drain cleaning that involves using a long, flexible wire with a corkscrew end to clear the obstruction in the pipe. It can be done by a professional drain cleaning company or by yourself, depending on the type and severity of the clog. However, before you attempt to snake your drain, you should know that there are different types of drain snaking tools and each one has a specific purpose.

Let Peerless Plumbing Company, the go-to name for drain cleaning in Scottsdale, AZ, enumerate the different types of drain snakes and explain what they are for.

Toilet Closet Snakes

A toilet closet snake, also known as a toilet auger, is a drain snaking tool that is designed to unclog a blocked toilet drain. A toilet closet snake has a protective rubber coating over the coiled wire to prevent damage to the porcelain. The coiled wire feeds into a long rigid tube that helps guide the cable into the drain as you turn the crank. A toilet closet snake can reach up to 6 feet into the pipe and can remove objects such as paper, wipes, or toys that may be the culprit behind the clogged drain.

Manual Drain Snakes

A manual drain snake, also known as a hand auger, is a drain snaking tool that is operated by human power, usually via a crank handle. A manual drain snake is long and slender, able to fit into any standard-sized drain. It is suitable for sinks, bathtubs, showers, and floor drains. You crank the handle to send the drain snake into the clogged drain, and you keep going until the coil snags, either due to a bend in the pipe or due to the blockage. A manual drain snake can reach up to 25 feet into the pipe and can remove materials such as hair, grease, or soap scum.

Powered Snakes

A powered snake, also known as an electric auger, is a drain snaking tool that is run by a power motor, such as a drill or a battery. It resembles a manual snake, but it has more strength and speed to handle tougher clogs, which is why it’s commonly used for heavy-duty drain cleaning services. A powered snake is ideal for main sewer lines, as it can reach up to 50 feet into the pipe and can remove obstructions such as tree roots, rocks, or debris.

Drain snaking

Flat Tape Type

A flat tape type, also known as a flat snake, is a drain snaking tool that is used to treat clogs in small pipes. A flat tape type has a flat and thin wire that can easily navigate through narrow pipes. It is suitable for pipes that are less than 2 inches in diameter, such as bathroom sink drains or laundry drains. A flat tape type can reach up to 15 feet into the pipe and can remove materials such as hair, lint, or dirt.

Drain snaking is a simple yet effective way to clear your drains and restore your water flow. However, you should know that different types of drain snaking tools have different purposes and limitations. Just like you need to choose the right tool for the right job, you also need to hire a reputable drain cleaning company to do it for you. Peerless Plumbing Company can provide you with the best drain snaking tools and techniques to solve your clogged drain problem. Contact us today for top-notch drain cleaning services!