If you have a clogged basement floor drain you may be wondering if you can clear it yourself with a drain snake. Drain snakes also called augers are long flexible coils of metal that can be inserted into drains to clear blockages.
Basement floor drains can become clogged for a variety of reasons. Lint hair and other debris can build up over time eventually causing a blockage. Grease and soap can also contribute to clogs. In some cases tree roots can penetrate the drain pipe and cause an obstruction.
If you think your basement floor drain is clogged the first step is to remove the drain cover and try to clear the blockage with a plunger. If that doesn’t work you may need to snake the drain.
Before snaking the drain it’s a good idea to clear as much debris from around the drain as possible. This will give you a clear path to work and help you avoid making the clog worse.
To snake the drain insert the drain auger into the drain until you feel resistance. Turn the handle to begin spinning the auger. Continue turning the handle as you push the auger further into the drain. The auger will break up the clog as it moves through the pipe.
Once the auger has gone as far into the drain as it will go begin to slowly retract it. As you pull the auger out the clog will be dislodged and should be flushed away with water. If the clog is still present you may need to repeat the process a few times.
If you’re not comfortable using a drain auger you can always call a plumber to clear the blockage for you.
How do you snake a basement floor drain?
Remove the drain cover and insert the snake into the drain.
Turn the snake handle to advance the snake through the drainpipe.
