How do I make the snake move in drain?

**deguza** · 04-05-2009, 09:38 PM

Hello All:

I finally figured out how to remove the overflow knob and now have vertical access to the bathtub drain. (You can read elsewhere on Internet by travails on this matter.)

However, although I am able to get the snake in vertically, I cannot make it get it to move more that 2.5 feet. It hits something in the vertical PVC pipe and stops moving any further. I turned it and twisted as recommended on the packaging of the snake to no avail.

I looked up the schematics of drains on the Internet, I am suspecting that the PVC is connected to a horizontal pipe at this point. The snake is probably not able to negotiate the bend.

Any tricks in the trade would be appreciated.

Deguza

**krow** · 04-05-2009, 09:48 PM

Make sure the snake you are using is 1/4" in diametre . You are stopped at the bath tub p-trap. Anything bigger than 1/4" would be hard to push in. Even if you manage to get any snake bigger than 1/4" in , there is no guarantee it will come out in 1 piece or come out at all.

A spinning motion together with pushing on the cable should negotiate the p-trap bend

**jimbo** · 04-06-2009, 04:55 AM

I assume you are using something like a hand-crank cable? Keep the nozzle of the cannister within a few inches of the opening of the overflow. Push while turning. When it goes in, feed a few more inches of cable. repeat.

**kingsotall** · 04-06-2009, 06:58 AM

What's the drainage problem¿ Is toilet backing into tub too¿

hj · 04-06-2009, 07:11 AM

The drain probably connects to a vertical pipe and the snake does not want to make the turn. No way to tell you how to do it, because it is something that is easier done than said. IT could even bet trying to go the wrong way, depending on how the piping is arranged.

**deguza** · 04-06-2009, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by kingsotall

What's the drainage problem¿ Is toilet backing into tub too¿

No backup from the toilet into the tub fortunately.

**deguza** · 04-06-2009, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by hj

The drain probably connects to a vertical pipe and the snake does not want to make the turn. No way to tell you how to do it, because it is something that is easier done than said. IT could even bet trying to go the wrong way, depending on how the piping is arranged.

Do you think I can access the piping in the crawl space? Would I be able to take apart the pipes down there?

Deguza

**deguza** · 04-06-2009, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by krow

Make sure the snake you are using is 1/4" in diametre . You are stopped at the bath tub p-trap. Anything bigger than 1/4" would be hard to push in. Even if you manage to get any snake bigger than 1/4" in , there is no guarantee it will come out in 1 piece or come out at all.

A spinning motion together with pushing on the cable should negotiate the p-trap bend

I checked the size of the snake, it is quarter inch in diameter. Of course, the head of the snake is larger.

Last night I spent another 15 minutes, but still no luck.

What if I were to dip the tip of the snake in grease? Would it make it easier?

Deguza

**krow** · 04-06-2009, 12:11 PM

Sometimes, spinning counterclockwise and pushing the cable may give you the oppurtunity to get it in. Hopefully, there is no clean out cap on the bottom of the trap.(there isn't supposed to be one) If the clean out cap is thee, then your best bet would be access from your crawl space.

Originally Posted by deguza

What if I were to dip the tip of the snake in grease? Would it make it easier?

Unlikely. All that will happen is that you will get grease or oil all over the place. I guess you won't know if you don't try

**Redwood** · 04-06-2009, 05:00 PM

I'm a pro and using my equipment I assure you I get through most tub traps in seconds of trying.

With no experience and a hand snake you are destined for a long miserable journey...
I would suggest calling a pro before your co workers start objecting to your aroma.

hj · 04-06-2009, 05:32 PM

One possibility, depending on how old the house is, is that you may have a drum trap, and if so NOTHING will get the snake to go where you want it to.

**SewerRatz** · 04-06-2009, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by hj

One possibility, depending on how old the house is, is that you may have a drum trap, and if so NOTHING will get the snake to go where you want it to.

If it is a long drum trap the snake can go through it. If its the short trap it will not. When I see its the short drum traps I walk in with my Ro-Pump and Kinetic Water Ram.

**deguza** · 04-06-2009, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by SewerRatz

If it is a long drum trap the snake can go through it. If its the short trap it will not. When I see its the short drum traps I walk in with my Ro-Pump and Kinetic Water Ram.

How do I know if I have one of these traps? Go under the house?

Thanks,

Deguza

**deguza** · 04-06-2009, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by deguza

How do I know if I have one of these traps? Go under the house?

Thanks,

Deguza

I thought about this a bit more and checked on Internet. These traps seem to be several feet away from the location I am starting the snake at. I'm able to insert the snake only about 2 1/2 feet. I think I'm hitting something else. Probably the p-trap.

Deguza

**deguza** · 04-06-2009, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by Redwood

I'm a pro and using my equipment I assure you I get through most tub traps in seconds of trying.

With no experience and a hand snake you are destined for a long miserable journey...
I would suggest calling a pro before your co workers start objecting to your aroma.

Fortunately there is the local gym! I am taking my showers there.

Deguza