How to Fix a Drain Snake Kink
Clogged drains are a common household problem that most people have to deal with at one time or another. A sink auger, more commonly refereed to as a drain snake makes the job easier. One difficulty with using drain snakes is that they will occasionally kink up. However, this too can be fixed relatively easily.
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Insert the snake into the drain and turn the handle in a clockwise direction. Position the handle a few inches out from the entry to the drain. Continue to push the snake down the drain until it hits the blockage. Twist the snake and lift it partially out to dislodge the blockage.
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Keep the snake as straight as you can to avoid kinking. If a kink does occur, back the snake out very slowly. If you feel the snake "jump" in your hand then the kink has been released and you can continue to step five. If you feel no movement from the snake continue to the next step.
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Pull the snake completely out of the drain. Have a towel ready and wipe the snake down as it is pulled free to avoid a mess.
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Lie snake down flat on the floor. Take the snake in two hands, one at each end, and give the cable a strong jerk. this will release any remaining kinks.
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Push the snake through the blockage with a steady up and down motion until the snake completely breaks through. Once through lift the snake and pull the blockage up through the pipe.
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Clean the snake with a rag as you lift it out of the drain.
Writer Bio
Steve Bradley is an educator and writer with more than 12 years of experience in both fields. He maintains a career as an English teacher, also owning and operating a resume-writing business. Bradley has experience in retail, fashion, marketing, management and fitness. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and classics.
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