A blocked drain always seems to happen at the worst time – like right now! Have you got a sink that won’t drain or a shower pooling around your ankles? It’s at these moments that most people like you start searching for how to use a drain snake – only to realise they don’t actually have one!
Well, here’s the good news – you can still clear many blockages without professional drain cleaning tools. And if you DO have a plumber eel or drain snake, using it properly can save you a lot of frustration.
What a drain snake actually does
A drain snake (also called a plumbing auger or plumber eel) is a long, flexible cable designed to reach deep into pipes and physically break up or hook out the blockage. It’s especially useful for hair, food scraps, soap scum, or paper buildup that’s too stubborn for plunging alone.
When you turn the handle or power head, the coiled wire rotates through the pipe, scraping and twisting through whatever’s stuck until the flow is restored. Simple in design, but powerful when used right.
What if you don’t have a drain snake?
Here’s the reality of most people’s lives – their drain is blocked, but there’s no auger in sight. Luckily, a few clever substitutes can work surprisingly well for unblocking drains.
1. Try a wire coat hanger
- Straighten out a wire hanger
- Bend a small hook on the end.
- Carefully feed it down the drain and twist gently.
This mimics how to snake a drain with an actual drain snake, grabbing hair or debris and pulling it out.
TIP: Avoid forcing it down bends – you don’t want to scratch or puncture the pipe.
2. Use a zip tie or cable tie chain
Did you know a heavy-duty zip tie can work much like a mini plumber’s eel?
- Snip a few small notches along the sides to help it grip
- Push and pull it through the drain to snag gunk and buildup.
It’s a trick that is particularly handy for shower and basin drains.
3. Mix baking soda & vinegar
No, it’s not a true replacement for a drain snake – but the fizzing reaction can help loosen minor buildup.
- Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain
- Then one cup of vinegar
- Wait 10-15 minutes
- Flush with boiling water.
If it’s still slow, move to a mechanical method.
4. Try a wet/dry vacuum
If you’ve got a wet/dry shop vac, it can mimic the suction effect of snaking a drain in reverse.
- Create a seal around the drain opening
- Set it to liquid mode
- Let it pull the obstruction out instead of pushing it through.
5. Remove & clean the trap
For kitchen or bathroom sinks:
- Place a bucket underneath
- Unscrew the U-shaped trap.
Most small clogs happen right there, and you’ll often find the problem without needing to use a drain snake at all.
How to use drain snake gear properly
If you DO have the real tool, here’s the simple process professionals follow when using a drain snake or plumber eel:
Feed the cable slowly: Insert the tip of the snake into the drain and turn the handle clockwise as you push forward.
Feel for resistance: When you hit the blockage, keep twisting gently. The rotation helps the cable bite into the obstruction.
Break or hook the blockage: Push and pull slightly while spinning until you feel the blockage break up or latch on.
Withdraw and clean: Slowly retract the cable while continuing to rotate, pulling debris out.
Flush with hot water: Once the snake is out, run hot water for a few minutes to clear any loosened residue.
If the blockage comes back quickly or you can’t feed the snake far enough, the issue could be deeper in the line – that’s when you’ll need a professional inspection.
What the professionals do differently
When household tools fail, professional plumbers like Static Plumbing use high-powered solutions such as:
- Motorised drain snakes and eels – for deep, solid blockages in long pipe runs
- High-pressure water jetting – blasting away heavy grease, tree roots, or compacted debris
- CCTV drain cameras – to visually inspect and locate exactly where the blockage sits
- Targeted pipe relining or repair – for cracked or collapsed sections that keep re-blocking.
These methods don’t just remove the blockage – they find out why it happened, helping you avoid repeat problems in the future.
When to stop DIY & call a plumber
After a good 20-30 minutes and your DIY attempts haven’t worked, stop torturing yourself – and don’t risk damaging the pipework. Forcing tools can make things a lot worse, like leaks, scratched pipes or a blockage that’s worse than it currently is!
Think it might be time to call a plumber?:
- Repeated slow drains after clearing?
- Gurgling sounds or unpleasant smells?
- Multiple drains backing up at once?
- Water pooling outside near drains?
Static Plumbing’s friendly licensed team offers professional blocked drain solutions using advanced equipment and industrial-grade plumber eels designed for every drain type across the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
Stop guessing – Get it cleared right
If you’ve tried to use a drain snake (and anything like it!) and the problem keeps returning, the issue is likely deeper down the line. But don’t stress – Static Plumbing’s Sunshine Coast plumbers, Brisbane plumbing experts, and Moreton Bay drain specialists can find and clear the cause fast, with safety and for good.
Call or book online right now for pro help from your local plumbing team.
