This is a hammer 10/13/11

THIS IS A HAMMER

A Plumber’s Snake? What’s That?

Q: One thing my uncle recommended when I moved into my recently purchased house is something called a plumber’s snake. Just what is that? I presume it’s for getting into pipes or something. — Tammy in Des Moines, Iowa

A: You’re right, Tammy, it does have something to do with getting into pipes. Specifically, a plumber’s snake — more professionally known as a hand auger — is a handheld tool used for clearing clogs in drain lines. It consists of a flexible tube with a spring coil on one end, attached to a hand crank at the other end. The tube is inserted into the affected drain until the clog is reached; then the hand crank is turned so that the clogging material gets caught in the spring coil and is pulled out along with the tubing.

The beauty of the hand auger — there’s also a larger version called a closet auger or toilet auger, specifically for toilets — is that it can clear many types of clogs without using chemicals to break up the material or using a drill that could break through the pipe.

Using the hand auger takes a little bit of practice. It’s not hard to use, but you’re fishing blind through the drainpipe, and figuring out the difference between a bend in the pipe and the actual clog can take a few tries. So, for example, let’s say you’re clearing a clog in a sink drain. You’ve either removed the trap (the U-bend pipe under the sink) or, if the trap has this, unscrewed the bolt at the bottom of the trap and let the water drain into a bucket. But the clog doesn’t clear (meaning it’s a little further back in the drain line). With the trap removed or the drain bolt unscrewed:

—Loosen the auger lock (the bolt sticking up at the feeder end of the auger) and feed the cable into the drain line.

—When you meet resistance, find out if you’re simply at a bend in the pipe. Feed out a few inches more cable so you have some extra sticking out of the pipe. Tighten down the auger lock. Slowly turn the auger handle clockwise, pushing slightly. If it’s a bend in the line, the resistance will stop and you can continue feeding cable.

—If the resistance doesn’t let up, you may have located a clog. Turn the handle a few more times to try and snag the clog material. Then, loosen the auger lock. Continue turning the handle clockwise to reel in the cable.

—If you meet solid resistance and then the cable slowly feeds in, with continuous resistance, you likely have a soap clog. Slowly continue to bore through the soap clog until resistance lessens. Then, retrieve the cable by loosening the auger lock and turning the handle clockwise.

Once you’ve taken care of the clog, reconnect the trap. Run hot water through the pipe, which will flush out loose debris or help break up that soap clog.

HOME TIP: Keep drains healthy with this nontoxic solution: combine 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup salt and 1/4 cup cream of tartar. Pour 1/4 cup of this mixture into each drain in the house, and follow with 2 cups boiling water. Repeat weekly.

(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.