Every homeowner will experience a clogged drain at some point. While most drains get cleared using a simple plunger, others need a professional drain cleaning service. Depending on the obstruction causing the drain to back up will determine the method used for clearing your drain. Most companies use an auger, commonly called a plumber’s snake. The plumber’s snake has been the go-to tool for cleaning your drain since the early thirties. Samuel Blanc, an American, designed the electric auger in 1933. While cutting through tree roots in a sewage pipe, the cable and cutting blades spun and earned him the product nickname “Rooter” from his wife. Later the product coined the name plumber’s snake, and the rest is history.
Hydro Jetting Is Reserved For The Toughest Clogs
In the past, there was just one choice for eliminating a tough, hard-to-tackle clog, and that was a plumber’s snake. However, for the past 20 years or so, there has been a new tool on the market, and that’s the hydro jetting machine. Unlike the plumber’s snake, the hydro jetter uses water pressure to attack clogs that a snake could otherwise not remove. But like a plumber’s snake, not all hydro jetters are the same. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are nothing more than a glorified pressure washer, while others are powerful enough to remove tree roots, packed in grease and sludge, and more. At Big B’s Plumbing, we use a truck-mounted hydro jetter that distributes up to 4000 pounds per inch (PSI) of water pressure to the obstruction. It’s by far the most powerful drain cleaning machine on the planet.
A Plumber’s Snake Is Still The Go-To Machine For Drain Cleaning
When it comes to tackling that tough, hard-to-remove clogs turn to a plumbing company with the top of the line in drain cleaning machines, Big B’s Plumbing. However, the plumber’s snake is still the go-to drain cleaning machine for most common clogs. In addition, most plumbing companies have a full arsenal of augers, small augers for showers, tubs, and bathroom sinks, and then there is a toilet-specific auger designed to tackle the tough toilet clogs.
A Large Plumber’s Snake Is Designed For 3 Inch Pipes
Medium snakes can have a thick 3/8 inch cable that reaches 50 to 75 feet. This powerful tool is capable of clearing longer pipelines. Then you have the large, heavy-duty snake that has a cable that’s 5/8 of an inch thick and reaches 75 to 100 feet. These snakes were designed for three-inch pipes or larger and powerful enough to cut through roots that have penetrated your sewer line.
The Average Do-It-Yourselfer Can Use A Plumber’s Snake
If you’ve ever spent time at your local home center, it’s hard not to notice that a plumber’s snake come in all shapes and sizes. For the average do-it-yourselfer cleaning a drain using a plumber’s snake is entirely possible. Although there are some things to consider, most snakes are expensive and would rarely get used. On the other hand, the smaller snakes used for clearing sinks, showers, and tubs are very affordable and fit into any budget. If you wanted to clear your tough clog yourself, you would be better off renting a larger snake at your rental yard. However, if you find that the issue is beyond your experience level, consider it a learning experience and call your plumbing experts.
The Hydro Jetting Machine Will Clear Everything In Its Path
As with all products on the market, technology has made a tremendous impact, including the plumber’s snake. As powerful as your plumber’s snake is, there are some drawbacks. Most notably, snakes tend to go through roots, leaving some of them behind. Another issue with your plumber’s snake is that it leaves residue caused by grease and sludge that could build up over time. On the other hand, the hydro jetting machine will clear your drain and leave it sparkling clean. The hydro jetter is the number one recommended powerful method of clearing the worst drains and is the preferred choice for commercial applications.
Do I use a plumber’s snake or a hydro jetting machine? Request the truck-mounted hydro jetting machine if you cannot remove your clogged drain using a plumber’s snake.
Call And Get The Expertise You Need
Call your plumbing professional at Big B’s Plumbing. Our highly skilled technicians can walk you through the drain clearing process. We’re an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. Also, check out our top-notch reviews on Facebook, Google My Business, and Yelp!. Call today you’ll always get the service you deserve.
