Kitchen sink drains clog up for a variety of reasons. The drain might be coated with grease or hard water scale. There could be food or other objects in the drain. Sometimes clogs build slowly, and you realize a problem is developing, but other times a drain can clog suddenly. When you call a plumber to clean out your drain, they might use a drain snake to fix the problem. Here's why a drain snake is so effective and how a plumber uses one.

Why A Drain Snake Is Effective For Clogs

Plunging and using hot water can sometimes clear out a kitchen drain, but when a clog is stubborn, a snake can cut right through the clog so the pieces of the clog can be rinsed away. A drain snake is a long coiled wire cable the plumber pushes down the drain. The cable is flexible so it can follow the pipe as it makes turns.

The cable can poke through a clog, and it can also grab debris in the coils to pull the clog out when the plumber pulls the cable out. A snake is strong enough to cut through most types of clogs, even tree roots.

How A Plumber Uses A Drain Snake

A small snake can be passed through the top of the drain, but your plumber will probably take the drain apart for the best drain cleaning possible. By taking the drain and P-trap apart, the plumber can pass the snake through the pipe at the wall under the sink rather than above the P-trap.

The plumber advances the cable until resistance is felt. Then the plumber pulls the cable back and pushes it forward several times to break up the clog. The plumber might also run water through the pipes to help push the bits of clog on through the drain.

When the plumber pulls the drain snake out, they can often tell what caused the clog based on what's caught in the coils. Knowing the source of the clog might help you understand what you need to avoid doing in order to prevent another kitchen drain clog from forming.

When To Call A Plumber For A Clog

When you notice your kitchen sink starts to drain slowly, try plunging it to clear the clog and speed up the drain. A slow drain is a sign of a clog, so if you can't clear the clog with plunging, hot water, or a remedy such as vinegar and baking soda, then call a plumber before the drain shuts down completely. When your kitchen drain won't empty at all, you might need emergency drain cleaning, and that might cost more than if you schedule the work before the clog becomes an emergency.

To learn more, contact a local drain cleaning service.