A clogged drain can cause problems with your plumbing system. This might be slow-draining water or a bad smell emanating from your kitchen sink or bath.
Catching and acting upon a blocked drain early is the best approach. Clogs at this stage are easier to clear out thanks to nifty tools such as a drain snake. Leaving blockages for any length of time can cause them to increase in size and cause much bigger problems such as cracks in the drainpipes, leaks or, worse still, flooding.
What Is a Drain Snake?
A drain snake is a thin, flexible but strong piece of metal cable which can be inserted into a plughole and down the pipes. It physically catches hold of any pieces of debris down the drain and removes them once pulled back out.
Drain snakes are ideal for soft blockages. Although none of us want to think about what’s lurking down our drains, it’s often hair or soft food particles which have been rinsed away.
It’s also a great way of avoiding chemicals, according to DIY experts B&Q.
Of course, if the drain snake is ineffective, or you suspect a more serious blockage or drains problem, a CCTV drain survey Wolverhampton or your nearest location offered by specialists such as https://www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/wolverhampton can be a good idea. CCTV drain surveys use state-of-the-art technology to look deep into drains and pipes, identifying problems and avoiding the need for messy and costly excavation work.
How Does It Work?
Because a drain snake is up to 25 cm long, it’s ideal for blockages which are relatively near to the surface.
Remove the plug cover beforehand. Insert the drain snake through the plughole and push by hand. The snake features a corkscrew end which will locate blockages. Turning the drum will allow the sharp end to catch on to the blockage, at which point you can slowly retract the drain snake, bringing debris out and allowing the drains to run clear again.
Always wear protective safety goggles in case of any splashback.
