Why Isn’t My Snake as Good as My Plumber’s?

The world of DIY tools and equipment has grown exponentially in the past decade or two. And yet, the available equipment still doesn’t match what the professionals use. There are several reasons for that, starting with the fact that most people going into a home improvement store are not professionals, and therefore they don’t know how to use professional-grade equipment.

Today, many home improvement stores and rental companies offer commercial-grade equipment and tool rentals, including pipe snakes for clearing clogs. Again, these need to be used with caution and only by those who have experience. Otherwise, you could risk causing more serious issues.

Plastic Drain Snakes

In the drain and/or bathroom cleaning aisle of most home improvement stores, you can find these small snakes for removing hair clogs and other small blockages from drains. They’re usually around 10-14 inches long and include jagged teeth to snag the clogs. They have a small handle you can hold while using the snake, and these are simple enough to be used by just about anyone. However, they’re not good for serious clogs.

Manual Snakes

Manual snakes are the next option available for DIYers. These small snakes often run between 10 and 20 feet in length and include some type of crank mechanism to extend and retract them. They also have a grabber, or claw, on the end, to grab the clog and remove it from the pipes. These may work for more serious clogs, but again they’re nothing like professional snakes.

Power Snakes

There are also consumer-grade and commercial-grade power snakes available for sale. These come in different lengths and often require being hooked up to a power source. Some snakes are rotary style, meaning they can use a high-powered electric drill to operate. These are much more complex, but they’re also more effective at getting out larger clogs. Still, you won’t want to use them unless you’re familiar with plumbing and how snakes work.

Our plumbers at Elk Grove Village Sewer & Plumbing, have better tools because they’re professionals. They also have the expertise and training to go along with those tools, which is why you should always have plumber on call for serious clogs and other plumbing issues. If you do try to remove clogs on your own first, proceed with caution so that you don’t cause further damage. On the other hand, you could just call Elk Grove Village Sewer & Plumbing, and know it’s done right, right away.