Functionally, the two tools are identical. A drum may hold anywhere from a few feet to 100 feet or more of cable on some more extensive devices. You place the cable into the drain and twist it to either punch through the clog or grip the clog to pull it out. Hand crank, plug-in, and cordless tools are all options. Having and operating a drain snake is far less expensive for many households than calling a plumber. Even powered models like Ryobi’s hybrid drain auger are cheaper than a service call. The gadget pays for itself the first time you use it.
It Is the Size of the Drain That Is Being Cleaned
The drain size that these tools are meant to clear is where they diverge. Drain snakes help clean out smaller drains, such as those in your kitchen or bathroom sink. Larger pipes, like toilet or shower drain, are tackled by drain augers. The snake will cover lines 1-1/4′′ – 2′′ in diameter, while a drill will cover lines 1-1/2′′ – 3′′ in diameter.
Why don’t we bring up 4′′ or bigger pipes? Those usually do not clog. When they do, it’s typically due to roots growing into the pipes. Then you must either replace them or use a mechanical auger or a hydro-jet to clean away the impediments.
On the other hand, drain snakes often have a smaller diameter cable than drain augers. Because both clean by twisting the attachment at the tip, the auger requires a thicker cable to torque through the obstruction.
Similarly, the cable tips of the two drain cleaning tools don’t appear to be much that different, although auger tips can be more significant to twist into and through thicker obstructions.
Think About It
Many people believe they are the same and have certain similarities. They both serve the same purpose: to unclog drains ranging from mild to significant obstructions. In terms of functionality, they are comparable. Depending on the application, both feature a drum and may hold a few feet or hundreds of feet of hose. They are available as a crank, cordless, or plug-in power drill.
- Drain augers are often slightly more expansive than drain snakes. They are intended for usage outside the home, such as unclogging a clogged sewage drain. They feature longer hoses and may be used on pipes ranging from 1.5 to 3 inches. The drain auger performs a similar function and is as simple as simply twisting the hose to reach the place you need to access. Some drain augers, such as a bulb drain auger, can have various attachments and tips. These may be used for multiple reasons and in a variety of settings.
- Plumbing snakes are often smaller and designed to clear obstructions within the home. They are slim and flexible, allowing them to remove drain obstructions that a plunger cannot. Plumbing snakes frequently feature a helix-shaped hook with a more expansive space between the coils. As the user, you must turn a crank to move the hook through the pipe to locate the clog’s obstruction. The plumbing snake should quickly remove the clog if the obstacle is made of shreddable material.
The Most Effective Method of Cleaning Drains
It is usually advisable to hire expert plumbing technicians if you want your home’s drains cleaned as thoroughly as possible. While a blockage is often the primary issue, a Boss Plumbing service technician may discover additional issues contributing to the problem. For example, if you hear banging noises from your pipes, this might indicate that a line is loose, your home’s water pressure is too high, or your water heater’s temperature setting is too high. Whatever the situation may be, your best chance is to have a skilled plumber take a look, identify the problem, and fix it as soon as possible before other issues arise.
