What a drain snake does
A drain snake, also called an auger, is a flexible metal cable with a corkscrew or hook at the end. You feed it into the drain and turn it. The tip either grabs the clog, breaks it up or punches a path so water flows again.
It works best on hair, soap scum and soft buildups near the fixture. It does not clean the pipe wall, so grease and scale can return. That is why a snake clears the clog but does not always fix the cause.
Types of snakes
Match the snake to the drain. A small auger will not reach a main line, and a drum machine is too much for a sink.
| Type | Best for | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic hair snake | Shower and tub drains, hair clogs. | Short reach, not for deep clogs. |
| Hand auger | Sink and tub drains. | Manual, limited to short lines. |
| Closet auger | Toilets. | Made for toilet traps only. |
| Power sink machine | Kitchen and bath branch drains. | Needs experience and care. |
| Drum cable machine | Main lines, roots, long runs. | Heavy, best left to a plumber. |
Using a hand snake without damaging the pipe
Take your time. Forcing a snake can scratch pipe and tear a trap.
Remove the stopper or trap
Take off the strainer or pop-up. For a sink, you may need to remove the trap under the cabinet.
Feed the cable slowly
Push gently until you feel resistance. Do not force it.
Turn the handle
Rotate as you push so the tip bites into the clog or breaks it.
Pull back what you catch
Withdraw the cable and clean off debris. Repeat until the cable moves freely.
Flush with hot water
Run hot water for a minute to carry off the remainder.
Test the drain
Run water for several minutes to confirm it flows.
Choosing a snake for home use
If you want one for the house, a 25-foot hand auger with a hand crank covers most sink and tub clogs. A closet auger is worth buying separately for toilets. Choose a cable with a sturdy handle and a vinyl-coated sleeve to protect the pipe.
Keep gloves, a bucket and old towels nearby, because the cable brings out dirty water and debris. Wipe the cable dry and store it in a dry place to prevent rust. A rusty cable can flake in the next pipe it enters.
Snake not working?
Call the 24/7 line. We will tell you whether it is a local clog or the main line.
Know your pipe before you snake
In Vernon Hills, the private building sewer is the owner's responsibility under the Lake County Public Works sewer use ordinance. The owner has to keep it watertight, clean and flowing freely. That includes the part that a snake or cable machine reaches through the cleanout.
A snake will not fix a cracked pipe or a collapsed section. If a cable stops at the same spot twice, stop and ask for a camera. Public Works lists 847-377-7500 for questions about the public sewer.
Source type: Lake County Public Works sewer use ordinanceWhen to stop and call a plumber
Stop if the snake keeps stalling at the same distance, if sewage or dirty water rises in other fixtures or if you smell sewer gas. Those are signs of a main line problem or a damaged pipe. More force can make it worse.
A plumber has a camera and larger equipment, and can jet the line when needed. See our drain cleaning page for the methods and our hydro jetting page for grease and scale. If the cable keeps hitting something solid, a sewer camera inspection shows the cause.
Kitchen drains need extra care
A kitchen line carries grease, which coats the cable and the pipe. After snaking, run hot water with dish soap for several minutes to move the loosened grease. If you have a disposal, check that the clog is not past it before you start.
Our garbage disposal repair page explains how to tell the two apart. A snake used through a disposal can damage the blades, so remove the trap instead.
Prevent the next clog
Use a hair catcher in the shower and tub. Keep grease out of kitchen drains. Run hot water after washing dishes, and avoid pouring coffee grounds or food scraps down the sink. A little care is cheaper than a service call.
If you rent or own in Mundelein or nearby towns, the same habits apply. A drain that clogs again and again is a sign of a deeper problem, and it is worth a camera look.
Rules and guidance note
According to the village permit guide, repairs to a sewer need a permit. Using a hand snake does not. If it suggests the main line is damaged, the village permit guide describes the permit and inspection that sewer repair requires.
Illinois plumbers are licensed through IDPH, which offers a license lookup, so you can check anyone you hire.
Drain snake questions
Yes, if you force it or use the wrong type. Go slowly and stop if it jams.
Most reach a few feet to about 25 feet. Main lines need a larger machine.
A snake clears a path but may not clean the pipe wall. Grease and scale can rebuild the blockage.
Usually, yes. It removes the clog without leaving caustic chemicals in the pipe.
Under the Lake County Public Works ordinance, the owner keeps the private building sewer clean and flowing. The public main belongs to the utility.