Common Mistakes When Using A Drain Auger
When you’ve got a clogged drain, it becomes both an inconvenience and a hassle. Not only are you unable to use the sink in your bathroom, kitchen, or elsewhere, but you’ve now also got to figure out how to get the drain unclogged. To do so, you may rely on a drain auger or plumbing snake. Very similar tools, they can get the job done in most cases when used properly. Unfortunately, many people make mistakes along the way that result in bigger and more expensive problems. As for what usually happens, here are some typical mistakes our team here at Boss Plumbing has encountered over the years.
Jamming the Auger or Snake Down the Drain
If you’re like many people, you are not in the best of moods when trying to unclog a drain. As a result, you may have a tendency to jam the auger or snake down the drain with more force than is recommended. When you do this, you may wind up pushing the clog further down into the pipe, making it even harder to reach on your own.
Pulling Back and Forth
Though it’s perfectly fine to maneuver the drain auger or plumbing snake back and forth some when trying to remove a clog, you may be doing more harm than good to your pipes. If you’re wondering can a drain auger damages pipes or can a drain auger get stuck inside a pipe, the answer is yes to both questions. Depending on the size of the clog, the complexity of the drain and pipes, and even the age of the pipes, pulling back and forth too much is never a good idea.
Injuring Yourself
If there is one thing you don’t want to have happened, it’s having to go to the ER and tell them you injured yourself while trying to unclog your drain. Believe it or not, we’ve seen it happen to more than a few people over the years. Since a plumbing snake is a coiled wire with quite a bit of tension on it, failing to be careful when using it can result in it snapping back and hitting you in the face, especially if you pull it out of the drain quickly and with too much muscle. If you decide to give a drain auger or plumbing snake a try, we suggest you do so very carefully.
Scratching Your Toilet’s Porcelain Bowl
Contrary to what many people think, there is a difference between a standard drain auger and a toilet auger. Should you have a clogged toilet drain, a toilet auger often has a rubber tip on it to make sure it does not scratch or break your toilet’s porcelain bowl.
If you’ve tried the DIY unclogging approach and have had little success with your drain auger or plumbing snake, calling on a professional plumber will be your best bet. Rather than risk further damage or even injury to yourself, give our team here at Boss Plumbing a call right away.
