Tips on Connecting Drain Snakes to Make Longer

Drain Snakes

• Drain snakes are long, flexible metal cables made of smaller cables woven together. On the end, the snake has a grabbing arm that grips clogs, loosens them and pulls them through the pipes.

Tools

• When working with metal, you’ll need a metal saw. This tool can cut through the metal fibers of the drain snake cable, allowing disconnection of the cable from the casing. Additionally, you should wear gloves to avoid cutting your skin and use pliers to make bending the metal easier.

The Process

• Pull one drain snake completely out of its chord box and cut it loose with a metal saw. Cut off the grasping fibers on the other snake. Unravel the metal fibers on both pieces by hand to about an inch. Place the two snakes together and begin twisting the fibers together. Connect as many fibers between the two cable ends as you can to ensure proper strength.

Caution

• Most pipes do not require a plumber’s snake longer than 50 feet. If your clog is further than this point, it may be better to remove a section of pipe closer to the clog and snaking from there. Never use a plumber's snake on a sink with a garbage disposal; you must start snaking at a point in the plumbing beyond the disposal.