CLOGGEDCLOGGEDDrain?Drain?

Part I: Your options.Part I: Your options.

You have 3 Options:You have 3 Options:

If you plunge to no avail, you may be tempted to buy drain cleaning gel, crystals, foam, and/or liquid.

These products can be expensive, ranging from $4 to $15 a bottle, with no guarantee that they will solve your problem..

Why Snakes, Why Snakes, Not ChemicalsNot Chemicals

Chemical draincleaners are:

Easy to useEasy to use Corrosive Corrosive Bad for the Bad for the

environmentenvironment Dangerous to peopleDangerous to people Costly when faced with Costly when faced with

a stubborn cloga stubborn clog Ineffective on clogs far Ineffective on clogs far

away from the drain away from the drain openingopening

Drain snakesand augers are:

Relatively easy to useRelatively easy to use Free of harmful corrosives Free of harmful corrosives

Environmentally friendlyEnvironmentally friendly Safe when used according Safe when used according

to instructionsto instructions Cost-effectiveCost-effective Effective on clogs far Effective on clogs far

away from the drain away from the drain openingopening

Choosing a SnakeChoosing a Snake

There are a number of hand augers There are a number of hand augers (snakes) ranging in price from about $10 (snakes) ranging in price from about $10 to $100 or more. The price is usually to $100 or more. The price is usually determined by how it is powered.determined by how it is powered.

Hand-powered

Hand-powered.. Drill-compatibleDrill-compatible..Self-powered

Self-powered..

I recommend getting one that you can I recommend getting one that you can attach to a drill. I got mine for under attach to a drill. I got mine for under $25. $25. (Drill not included.)(Drill not included.)

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Part II: How to solve it.Part II: How to solve it.

Safety FirstSafety First If you have already used chemical drain If you have already used chemical drain

cleaners, do not proceed without reading all cleaners, do not proceed without reading all safety warnings on the product you safety warnings on the product you purchased. purchased.

Chemical drain cleaners are corrosive. They Chemical drain cleaners are corrosive. They can cause injuries to the eyes and skin and can cause injuries to the eyes and skin and can be harmful in other ways. can be harmful in other ways.

Using an auger on a drain may cause Using an auger on a drain may cause splashing. Protecting yourself against this is splashing. Protecting yourself against this is advised before moving forward. advised before moving forward.

SuppliesSupplies Auger or snake (preferably drill-compatible)Auger or snake (preferably drill-compatible)

Cordless or electric drill (to power the auger)Cordless or electric drill (to power the auger)

Rubber gloves (for hand protection)Rubber gloves (for hand protection)

Safety goggles (for eye protection) Safety goggles (for eye protection)

Towels (for cleanup)Towels (for cleanup)

Two buckets (one for water, one for supplies)Two buckets (one for water, one for supplies)

1. Connect the 1. Connect the augerauger to the drill. to the drill.

2. Remove the 2. Remove the drain stopperdrain stopper. .

7 Easy Steps7 Easy Steps

3. With some water in the sink, slowly 3. With some water in the sink, slowly push the snake down the drain push the snake down the drain opening until it meets resistance.opening until it meets resistance.

4. Push and pull 4. Push and pull while engaging the while engaging the drilldrill, turning the snake in one direction , turning the snake in one direction only until it moves freely in the drain. only until it moves freely in the drain.

5. Slowly back the 5. Slowly back the snake outsnake out..

6. Remove the snake. 6. Remove the snake. Yum! Look at that glob Yum! Look at that glob

of hair.of hair.

7. Run water into the drain opening.7. Run water into the drain opening.

If it flows down the drain freely, the If it flows down the drain freely, the drain is cleared. drain is cleared.

Using a snake on your Using a snake on your drain has advantages:drain has advantages:

It saves money. A drain auger is a one-time expense It saves money. A drain auger is a one-time expense that can be used multiple times, as opposed to drain that can be used multiple times, as opposed to drain cleaning liquids and other products that you pay per cleaning liquids and other products that you pay per use.use.

It saves time. With an auger, you can usually unclog It saves time. With an auger, you can usually unclog a drain in the same amount of time or less than a drain in the same amount of time or less than you’d have to wait for drain cleaner to start working.you’d have to wait for drain cleaner to start working.

It is safer. If you use an auger, no harmful chemicals It is safer. If you use an auger, no harmful chemicals are released into the environment and you can’t are released into the environment and you can’t come in contact with them.come in contact with them.