How to use a drain snake. And when to stop.
A drain snake (auger) reaches clogs a plunger can't. Used right, it's the best DIY tool for sink and tub drains. Used wrong, it scratches fixtures, kinks in the pipe, or gets stuck. Here's how to pick the right one and use it — and the signs that the clog needs more than a snake.
Updated October 2026 · Rooter Pros, Burbank-based mobile plumber · CSLB #917630
What you'll need
Pick the snake for the fixture:
- Hand drum auger — 1/4-inch cable, 15–25 ft — sinks, tubs, showers, laundry
- Toilet (closet) auger — short, with a sleeve — toilets only
- Bucket & towels — for water from the trap
- Gloves & eye protection — the cable flings gunk
- Channel-lock pliers — if you're pulling the P-trap
The steps, in order.
Slow and steady wins. Forcing the cable is how snakes get stuck.
Choose your access point
For a bathroom sink, pull the pop-up stopper first. For a kitchen or bathroom sink, the cleanest route is often to remove the P-trap (bucket underneath) and feed the cable into the trap arm going into the wall — fewer tight bends.
Feed the cable in
Pull out a foot or so of cable, put the tip in the drain, and push it in by hand until it stops. A stop within the first foot or two is usually the trap or a bend, not the clog.
Lock and crank
Tighten the lock screw so about 6 inches of cable sticks out, then crank clockwise while pushing gently. The rotation helps the tip get around bends. Unlock, pull out more cable, and repeat.
Work through the clog
When you hit something spongy, keep cranking forward slowly — the tip either bores through or grabs it. Pull the cable back every so often and clean the tip into the bucket.
Retrieve and flush
Reel the cable back while still cranking clockwise so it doesn't kink. Reinstall the trap if you removed it, hand-tight plus a little more. Run hot water for a couple of minutes and check for leaks under the sink.
Clean and dry the snake
Rinse the cable, let it dry and oil it lightly so it doesn't rust inside the drum.
Snaking vs. hydro jetting.
Both clear clogs. They do very different jobs.
A snake
Single-fixture clogs: hair, soap scum, a food plug in a sink. It punches a hole through the clog — which is often enough.
Hydro jetting
Grease-coated kitchen lines, roots, and the hard-water scale common in LA and Valley cast-iron pipe. High-pressure water scours the whole pipe wall. See jetting vs. snaking.
Rental machines on a main line
Big rental drum machines can kink, bind on roots or get stuck in a broken pipe — and retrieving a stuck cable can turn into a dig. Main lines are a pro job.
Common mistakes
Forcing the cable through a hard stop (that's usually a fitting or a broken pipe), using a regular snake in a toilet (it scratches the porcelain — use a toilet auger), skipping gloves and eye protection, and pulling the cable back without cranking, which kinks it. If the tip comes back with roots, stop and read about tree roots in sewer lines.
When to call a pro.
Put the snake down and call if:
The clog is back within weeks
Snaking left buildup on the pipe walls. Hydro jetting cleans them, and a camera shows why it keeps happening.
Several drains are slow
That's past the reach of a hand snake. Main lines are cleared from the cleanout — see finding your cleanout.
Roots or a hard stop
Roots on the tip, or a stop you can't get past, mean a damaged line. Get a camera inspection.
Rooter Pros is open 24/7 — flat-rate pricing agreed before work starts.
Call (818) 669-9019Drain snake FAQ
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
What size drain snake do I need?
For sinks, tubs and showers, a 1/4-inch hand auger with 15 to 25 feet of cable covers most clogs. Toilets need a toilet auger. Main lines need professional equipment.
Can a drain snake damage pipes?
It can if forced. Old, thin or corroded pipe and plastic traps can be damaged by aggressive cranking. Go slow and stop at a hard stop.
Why won't my snake go around the bend?
Keep the cable turning as you push — rotation helps the tip find its way. Going in through the trap arm instead of the drain opening also avoids a tight bend.
Is snaking or hydro jetting better?
Snaking clears a path through a clog. Jetting cleans the whole pipe wall and is better for grease, scale and roots. It depends on the line — a camera shows which it needs.
Snake didn't do it?
If this doesn't work or you'd rather not mess with it, call (818) 669-9019. 24/7 emergency service · Free estimates · Upfront flat-rate pricing