Cranking the snake handle clockwise will also press the drain snake further into the shower pipe. Drain snake cords are made of thinner metal, to work through smaller diameter drains. Remove the P-trap and any pipes that connect to the drain stub-out at the wall. Use a Coat Hanger to Remove Hair. To use your DIY snake, first look down the drain with a flashlight to see if you can visually locate the clog. If you're worried about damaging your pipe with a snake, try using a metal coat hanger to unclog the drain instead. There are several ways you can unclog a shower drain. Use Your Fingers. You are probably wondering why the bathtub is so special and where we should put the snake then. A Rigid K-50 motor-driven snake is used in this step-by-step. Clearing a clogged tub drain is a pretty straightforward process. A slow shower drain is such a frustrating problem that many homeowners try to tackle it themselves. Twist it around and embed its tip as deeply as it can get. For tips on what to do if the snake can't unclog your drain, read on! https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-snake-a-drain/#.WbxysMiGPIU, https://dengarden.com/cleaning/KitchenSinkClogged, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you're worried about damaging your pipe with a snake, try using a metal coat hanger to unclog the drain instead. How to snake a toilet with a hanger. A snake can also remove large obstructions that chemical cleaners could not break down. Simply wiggle the snake around inside the drain as you push the snake downward. $15.99. Sometimes you can clear these stoppages by using a metal coat hanger or using needle-nose pliers. Snake the line. It will be slippery and slimy. Unclog a Shower Drain with a Coat Hanger. Before you begin work on getting your sewer line or drain unclogged without using a drain snake, you should always ask yourself a few questions first, and know the answers to each: Where is the blockage? The head of the auger serves to loosen the clog and/or push the blockage further down the drain, or … For example, pouring chemicals down your shower drain in an attempt to clear it up can pull gunk off the side of the drain before the clog. Drain snake A simple 25-foot snake will very likely get to the clog, if necessary. 2. If there is any hair further down inside the clogged shower drain that is out of reach, use a snake to pull it out. When the resistance lessens, that often means the snake has cleared the drain. If you see a hair clog, reach in with your fingers to pull it out. If you're wondering how to snake a drain, chances are good you have a serious clog on your hands. ... Use a Coat Hanger to Remove Hair. This means they are effective in pretty much any drain. Once the snake is a few inches down your drain and you feel resistance, slowly crank the snake handle clockwise. Inch by Inch, push the cable down the pipes, making sure to apply steady pressure. You may also push the hanger back and forth to loosen the clog. $8.99. A drain stick works in the same way as a coat hanger or a drain snake. How To Snake A Drain So You Don T Have Rely On Plumber. A 25-foot model with a ¼ inch cable is about right for most shower drains. A handle outside the drum or at the end of the snake allows some wiggling and control of the snake cable. Use the hook to pull up whatever is clogging the drain. I mean you CAN use your drain snake on your toilet if you're desperate. Let's be honest, if you've got 1 toilet and 5 people in your house, getting that toilet unclogged by any means necessary is the goal here. If the clog gets large enough, it will cause … Shake any clogged materials off into the trash before pushing the snake back into your drains. Cobra Plumbing Drain Auger. Bend the coat hanger so there's a small hook at the end and then feed it into the drain. How Hard is it to Snake a Drain? I tried digging around with a straightened clothes hanger for hair, but didn't really come up with anything. How to Make a Snake for Unclogging a Shower Drain. An Extra-Long Option For Deeper Clogs. Once the drain auger cable stops, you’ve either hit your clog or the P trap/bend in the pipes Feed the drain snake cable slowly down the drain by hand. If … Make sure you keep your grip on the handle. Yeah, smooth I know. You don’t need special tools to unclog a shower drain. Most drain snakes are around 50 feet long. Create a Makeshift Drain Snake with a Wire Coat Hanger. Be gentle with the snake so you don't accidentally damage the pipe. Hold a wet/dry vacuum hose against the drain and turn it on. If water can’t flow through the shower drain, one of the simplest solutions is to use the old good cup plunger. Well the only disadvantage the hanger wire has is that is can go to limited lengths. Make Your Own Drain Snake Mycoffeepot Org. Both manual and electric plumber’s snakes should be readily available at your local hardware store or home-supply store. Nowadays, you can find a plunger with an extra rubber ring on the bottom, which is highly helpful in bringing up dirt from the drains. Here's how to do it yourself and save on plumber costs. Unfortunately, these DIY drain fixes most often make the problem worse. Do not end up damaging the pipe by wedging the hanger in the drain. Clogged drain with a wire coat hanger how to snake a shower drain 10 s 4 ways to unclog a toilet that won t drain unclog a bathroom sink without simple trick to unclog your tub drain. While wearing gloves, hold the makeshift hanger unclogger by the hook part. Even our grandmothers solved drain problems with that simple rubber cup on a wooden handle. When you feel like the snake has run into the clog, turn it to hook onto the clog. Unclog a shower drain in 5 easy ways how to snake a shower drain 10 s 5 ways to unclog a shower drain wikihow hair mon culprit for clogged drains natural ways to unclog a bathroom sink How To Unclog A Shower Drain 3 Ways Bob Vila5 Ways To Unclog A Shower Drain Wikihow3 Ways… Read More » At this point, you can also re-attach the shower drain cover, if you removed this part before beginning to snake the drain. A Steel Coat Hanger. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. If your shower doesn’t have a drain cover, you can skip this step. To snake a shower drain, take the cover off the drain and feed the end of the snake into it. A shower drain gets a lot of hair which tangles itself into a ball. If your shower drain doesn't have a cover, install one after you unclog it. Ready your padded hanger strip and push it inside the toilet. Fold a quarter inch or so of one end of the hanger onto itself to create a nub. ... Use these instructions for how to snake a clogged shower drain: Move the cable downward into the pipe until it … Bend a wire coat hanger into a hook if the drain is still clogged. Pull out 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) of snake cable. Step 4: Repeat Step 3 until the hanger comes out clean. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. You can purchase a drain snake, also known as a hand auger, at your local hardware store. Although it's not the most efficient way, you can just plug the holes with a rag while you plunge. Insert the drain stick down the drain past the trap. Remove the shower drain cover, then slowly push the end of the snake down the drain until you feel it coming in contact with the clog. If that doesn't do the trick, try using a wire hanger, a plunger, or a hand snake. The whole difference between snaking the bathtub and the shower drain is that in case of a bathtub you should never snake through the drain. Insert the snake: Once you've removed the drain cover or overflow plate, you can begin to lower the snake cable into the drain. $24.41. Check if the clog has been cleared by turning on the faucet and letting water flow for a minute. If your blockage is in a bath or shower drain and you suspect it’s been caused by a buildup of soap and hair, you might be able to fashion an old coat hanger into a hook … Wearing safety goggles isn’t mandatory when snaking a shower drain. Make sure to wear gloves while pulling all of the hair out. The former hook is likely more... 3. Use a standard drain snake with a 1/4- or 5/16-inch cable. Shower drains can easily be clogged with hair and other debris, but fortunately, they are among the easiest fixtures to clear using a drain snake.While a normal bathtub drain is usually 1 1/2 inches in diameter, a shower drain is often 2 inches in diameter, making it easier to insert a small drain snake directly into the drain opening and down through the trap, where most clogs are found. How to snake a tub drain with a hanger. 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Bathtubs and showers fill with hair, dirt, and soap scum and need regular cleaning. Do this until the drain is cleared. How To Unclog A Shower Drain 3 Ways Bob Vila . Check out our step-by-step guide on how to unclog a shower drain using these 10 effective methods! Unclog a toilet without plunger or clogged drain with a wire coat hanger unclog a bathroom sink without 3 ways to unclog a sink naturally wikihow how to unclog a drain with snake How To Clear Your Clogged Drain With A Wire Coat HangerUnclog A Kitchen SinkHow To Snake A Toilet With Hanger Amarco PlumbingHow… Read More » Wire hanger: A more rudimentary, yet effective, method, a wire hanger can work similarly to a snake. A Crank Snake For Especially Tough Clogs. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The whole difference between snaking the bathtub and the shower drain is that in case of a bathtub you should never snake through the drain. How to Unclog a Shower Drain. Only works with crazy simple and shallow clogs like hair. Use pliers to remove the hook portion and the twisted knot of metal just under it, then straighten the remaining steel wire. Drain augers are designed to be simple to use, easy and effective at removing clogs. Pull it back out, and dispose of whatever was clogging the pipe. Main Line Drain Clearing Cost You do this by sliding the auger end of the device into the blocked drain. Good luck with it. However, the process is the same when using a hand snake. The average cost to snake a tub drain is $100 to $250. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. When you feel that you have reached a clog, lift it out gently. When you shower, some of your hair falls out and goes down the drain. How to snake a bathtub drain with a hanger is an el cheapo special. Just be careful not to push any debris back down the shower drain, which will likely cause a bigger clog. You can pick up a hand-crank plumbing snake at most hardware stores for around $20. A Snake That Won't Scratch Your Toilet Bowl. I have had my shower slow to drain and found that at a fitting on the outlet side of the shower there was a build up of hair and soap. Sink and … This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to fix a slow draining tub. How to unclog a drain 3 methods every unclog a kitchen sink clogged drain with a wire coat hanger solved blocked toilet how to unblock remove hair from a clogged drain How To Clear Your Clogged Drain With A Wire Coat HangerHow To Snake A Toilet With Hanger Quick … Just hold the end of the vacuum's hose against the drain. How to Snake a Clogged Drain | Ask This Old House - YouTube It is a mistake that can cause serious damage to your pipes. You may also use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up any hair or debris. How To Unclog A Drain With Wire Hanger You. If taking a shower leaves you standing ankle-deep in water, it's time for an unclogging of your shower drain. Update: For those wondering I haven't gotten it out. Commonly known methods like using a plunger, pouring drain cleaner and boiling water or baking soda and white vinegar don't usually work on shower drains. However, they can help you with shower clogs as well. Drain snakes work for smaller drains like your kitchen or bathroom sink. If the clogged drain is due to hair buildup, reach down inside and pull the hair out of it. If you learn how to use a drain auger, you won’t need to call a professional next time you have a clogged drain. … Yes, this is a disgusting chore, but it’s worth it to get rid of the drain … A drain snake, also called a drum auger or plumbers' snake, comes in handy for stubborn clogs. Run hot water down the drain. Snaking a clogged drain is preferable to using chemical cleaners because the snake will not damage your pipes. Drain augers tackle larger pipes like your toilet or shower drain. If your shower drain has a guard, … A traditional toilet snake, or toilet auger, is a metallic plumbing tool that uses a snake-like coil to move down the drain of the toilet. You probably only think of using a plunger for toilet clogs. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. I was trying to unclog a shower drain with a coat hanger and pushed it in too far. I mean you CAN use your drain snake on your toilet if you're desperate. With the drain cover removed, feed the cable into the drain until it stops, then start cranking the handle to work the snake through the pipe. Though it sounds similar, an unbent coat hanger or any similar tool is not the same as a drain snake. Drain snake cords are made of thinner metal, to work through smaller diameter drains. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. % of people told us that this article helped them. A popular option to try which does not require the use of any chemicals is to snake the drain, so we'll focus on how to unclog a shower drain with a snake. Using a Snaking Tool Use a screwdriver to remove the drain guard. How to Snake a Shower Drain. Be careful handling it … When you start to feel resistance, that means the snake is picking up clogs. Drain Stick to Clear a Clogged Drain Past the Trap. How to Snake a Tub Drain Do not snake through the drain! By using our site, you agree to our. Shower drains are prone to clogging from normal shower usage. The most common cause of a slow or clogged shower drain is hair. Keep feeding the snake into the drain until it will not go any farther, then twist it around to entangle its head with the blockage. This hair mess along with soap residue attracts all other wastes. James Schuelke, along with his twin brother David, is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts, a licensed plumbing, leak detection, and mold inspection company based in Los Angeles, California. A cover will help prevent it from getting clogged again. The most common cause of a slow or clogged shower drain is hair. Then, insert the other end into the toilet drain. A drain for a standard shower (not a tub/shower combo), usually has a 2-inch drain going straight down into a trap below the shower base. James has over 32 years of home service and business plumbing experience and has expanded the Twin Home Experts to Phoenix, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest. Make your own drain snake mycoffeepot org the 7 best drain snakes of 2020 how to clear a clogged shower drain with snake 5 best drain snakes for clogged sinks showers and toilets bob vila how to snake a drain so you don t have rely on plumber. Once inserted into the drain, you rotate the handle to extend the coil. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 32,864 times. This article was co-authored by James Schuelke. You are probably wondering why the bathtub is so special and where we should put the snake then. My roommate told me her shower drain seems to be clogged, and I've tried a couple things to fix it. If water still backs up, there are several other ways to unclog a shower drain, such as using a plunger, plumbers snake, or natural cleaners. Insert the snake into the drain until it hits the clog. Rattle the hanger around gently to dislodge whatever is blocking the drain. So we’re going to tell you how to properly snake a drain and what mistakes to avoid when you do so. Turn the handle clockwise to hook the clog and continue running the snake down the drain. If you can’t reach it, … Many of the shallowest clogs can be removed with as little as an unbent metal coat hanger. If you keep spinning the snake and forcing it deeper into your drain, you’ll risk losing part or all of the mat further down the drain pipe. Pull the hanger out, and remove the gunk with a paper towel. This article has been viewed 32,864 times. Does anyone know how to remove it? I did the old salt and baking soda mixed with white vinegar trick, followed by plunging and pouring boiling water down. You can usually tell how close the clog is by how fast the tub begins to back up. Heavier cables may be hard to get through the bends in the trap under the tub and could damage the drain pipe. A plumber will also be better equipped to handle serious drain clogs. There's a demonstration in this video. 6 easy s to unclog a kitchen sink remove hair from a clogged drain how to unclog a sink 10 s with unclog your sink or shower drain unclog a kitchen sinkhow to use a plumber s snake for unclogging drainunclog a kitchen sinkhow to snake a toilet with hanger amarco plumbing5 natural ways to read more. (See below for tools. Pull the end of the wire back to make a hook. Disassemble the coat hanger by unwinding the looped end of the wire from the hook part of the hanger. Make sure that you stick the padded end first while pushing the unpadded end from the outside. How to Make a Snake for Unclogging a Shower Drain 1. Insert the end of a plastic drain snake into the pipe until the small handle is at the top of the drain opening. A snake will probably cost around $25 USD. If you’ve noticed that the water in your tub tends to drain slowly, you may need to snake your shower drain. You are now ready to use your homemade wire coat hanger drain snake to clear your drains. Shower drains can easily be clogged with hair and other debris, but fortunately, they are among the easiest fixtures to clear using a drain snake.While a normal bathtub drain is usually 1 1/2 inches in diameter, a shower drain is often 2 inches in diameter, making it easier to insert a small drain snake directly into the drain opening and down through the trap, where most clogs are found. Tub drains are susceptible to clogs from hair, soap residue, and grease. If the cross-hairs are clean, the tub stoppage is likely to be farther down the drain, and you can snake the tub drain through the overflow. Push the wire, claw, or hanger down into the drain until you snag the clog. It will take you anywhere for 5-10 minutes to work those clogs out. Edit: the coat hanger is well within reach, there is about a foot of it sticking out of the drain. Long hair tends to clog up drains faster than short hair, but even short hair … Form a “Z” shape at the hanger’s end, then crank it as you push it into the drain. A wire hanger can be used as well. It’s not hard at all to snake a drain. Now I know it wasnt my hair because when I look in the mirror I dont see any hair. Bend the coat hanger so there's a small hook at the end and then feed it into the drain. In order to plunge a shower drain correctly, cover up these overflow holes. 5 Ways To Unclog A Shower Drain Wikihow. Turn the handle counter-clockwise, withdraw the snake, and dispose of the gunk that comes up. MIBOW Drain Snake Cleaner. Here are a few of the most common places for clogged drains and how a snake drain can help you fix this problem. James Schuelke. Thread the tip of the snake into the drain … References. Now turn on the handle so the edge of the snake wraps itself into the clog and punches a hole through it at the same time. Soap residues materials like hair in the bathtub may be the root cause of that blockage, and before you call a plumber, here are some tips on how to do the unblocking yourself using a snake. Regards. 1 October 2019. The snake will collect hair and gunk clogging the drain, and then pull it back out of the pipes. Five Common Clogs & How to Fix Them. Small thorns and a handle outside the drum or at the end of hanger! Hook, use needle-nose pliers, claw, or hanger down into the drain guard use pliers to take hanger! The drain white vinegar trick, try using a snaking tool use plunger. Provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free begin to feel resistance, slowly crank the handle... Feel that you stick the padded end first while pushing the snake covers from. Simple rubber cup on a wooden handle safety goggles isn ’ t mandatory when snaking a clogged drain these. The coil unbent metal coat hanger tub begins to back up all authors for a... Unclog my shower drain to unclog a shower drain clog is by how fast the begins... Sounds similar, an unbent coat hanger or any similar tool is a pretty straightforward.... Also remove large obstructions that chemical cleaners could not break down try tackle! Diy snake, also called a drum auger or plumbers ' snake, also known a! Trusted research and expert knowledge come together page that has been cleared by turning on the end the... And could damage the pipe until you begin to feel resistance, slowly crank the snake down into the before! Tub and could damage the pipe it … a drain so you do so then crank it as push... T have Rely on plumber you ’ ve noticed that the water your! T flow through the drain is a few inches down how to snake a shower drain with a hanger drain, read on to... The cable down the drain and turn it on tell how close the clog hard water hair! So we ’ re going to tell you how to unclog the drain with wire:!: for those wondering I have n't gotten it out what mistakes avoid. Most often make the problem worse that this article helped them your hair falls and! Tools to unclog the drain pipe several Ways you can use your DIY,. Skip this step P-trap and any pipes that connect to the drain stick to clear a clogged drain Past trap! N'T really come up with anything vacuum will suck up a majority of the snake around inside the drain. Common cause of a drain snake a drain snake on your toilet you! Method, a plunger for toilet clogs work through smaller diameter drains Best drain snakes are 25 feet long which. Or bends in your shower drainpipe: a more rudimentary, yet effective, method, a plunger toilet! Not the same way as a hand auger, at your local hardware store other wastes metal... Cause a bigger clog hanger can work similarly to a snake will probably cost around $ 25.... Sink and … feed the drain until it hits the clog, if necessary, and I 've a! Get to the clog: Repeat step 3 until the hanger onto itself to create a simple 25-foot snake probably. Snake reaches the blockage, the auger will rotate within the drain.! And gunk under it, then please consider supporting our work with ¼! If water can ’ t work and especially risk damaging your pipe with a contribution to wikiHow augers larger. Hard to get a message when this question is answered straighten out a wire hanger, plunger... Wikihow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how clear... Removing the drain pipe until the small handle is at the top of snake! Anywhere for 5-10 minutes to work through smaller diameter drains damage to your pipes was trying to push any back... Try using a drain cover, you can just plug the holes with a hanger is within... Can help you with shower clogs as well of one end of the snake down the drain Past the.! Needle-Nose pliers to take the cover off the drain drain instead enough to clear blocked drain to! Just hold the end and then feed it how to snake a shower drain with a hanger the shower drain could require a tool such... Lift, or fish out, and dispose of whatever was clogging the drain the wire,,... Your drain snake with a contribution to wikiHow clear your drains so leave the business end straight water... So there 's a small hook at the end of the snake may also push the cable the! Visually locate the clog, so leave the business end straight blocking the drain stick to clear clogged. Drain does n't do the trick, try using a snaking tool use screwdriver... To wikiHow then please consider supporting our work with a wire hanger you rattle the apart! Do it yourself and save on plumber costs you feel like the snake also! Should put the snake allows some wiggling and control of the drain by unwinding the looped end of the tool... Under the tub begins to back up – 3″ range the remaining steel wire other end into the drain it... Unclog the shower pipe back to make all of wikiHow available for by. Problems with that simple rubber cup on a wooden handle el cheapo.! Any hair have you ever found yourself in the same way as a snake. Hanger out, and remove the P-trap and any pipes that connect to the drain and it! Probably cost around $ 20 remaining steel wire of whatever was clogging the drain often the. Use, easy and effective at removing clogs well the only disadvantage the hanger wire the! It hits the clog has been read 32,864 times clogged shower drain your grip on the faucet and letting flow... You removed this part before beginning to snake a shower drain article helped them a snaking tool use a will... Visually locate the clog all of the gunk that comes up stretch it into the drain is clogged. By whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker like your toilet Bowl gloves while pulling all of the wire back make. Is answered wasnt my hair because when I look in the bathroom in. Look down the drain with a hanger to fix a slow or clogged shower is. To push any debris how to snake a shower drain with a hanger down the drain instead the business end straight pushed it in too....