Plumbing snakes and augers are popular DIY plumbing tools for homeowners dealing with blocked drain hassles. And why not? They look simple enough to use. Just feed the cable into the drain, break through the blockage and then everything starts flowing again. Easy!

The problem is that blocked drains are not always that straightforward. What appears to be a simple blockage could be caused by deeper drainage issues (like tree roots or damaged pipes) that a basic plumbing auger or snake can’t resolve.

Gloved hand holding plumbing snake or auger

So, before you start DIY plumbing, you need to understand when plumbing snakes and augers are suitable and when to call an experienced plumber. This is the key to preventing bigger, more expensive drainage problems.

What is a plumbing snake?

A plumbing snake is a flexible cable designed to be fed into a drain to help break through or remove blockages. Usually manually operated, the snake works by catching debris, breaking apart obstructions or creating a path for water to flow again.

Basic plumbing snakes available from hardware stores are generally designed for minor household issues such as hair in bathroom drains, soap build-up in showers or small sink blockages close to the drain opening. While they can provide a temporary solution, consumer-grade snakes have limitations. They typically have shorter cables and less cutting power than professional equipment, making them unsuitable for deeper or more stubborn blockages.

What is a plumbing auger?

A plumbing auger works on a similar principle to a plumbing snake but is usually a more heavy-duty drain-clearing tool. It uses a flexible cable with a specialised head designed to travel further into pipes and break apart or remove tougher obstructions.

Professional augers come in different sizes and designs depending on the application, from clearing toilet blockages to reaching deeper drainage issues that are beyond the capabilities of a basic hand-operated snake. However, even the right equipment is only effective when the person using it understands the cause of the blockage and the condition of the pipework.

Why DIY drain snakes and augers can cause more problems

While using a drain snake may seem straightforward, blocked drains are not always caused by a simple obstruction. Without knowing what is happening inside the pipe, you could end up treating the symptom rather than solving the underlying problem.

Common issues caused by incorrect DIY drain clearing include:

  • Pushing the blockage further into the pipe: A snake can sometimes create a small opening through a blockage without actually removing it. This may restore flow temporarily, but the obstruction can quickly return.
  • Damaging older pipes: Clay, terracotta and PVC pipes can all be damaged by incorrect drain cleaning, but it’s important to be extra careful when dealing with ageing clay or terracotta pipes. Excessive force or using the wrong equipment can place unnecessary stress on vulnerable pipework.
  • Getting equipment stuck: Drain cables can become tangled or caught, particularly when they encounter pipe bends and junctions, tree roots, collapsed sections of pipe or stubborn obstructions. If you’ve hired the plumbing equipment that gets stuck, you’ll be responsible for the associated costs. This includes time and materials needed to retrieve the stuck equipment and any damage the equipment may have suffered as a result of the failed DIY attempt.
  • Missing the real cause: Recurring blockages may be caused by tree roots, damaged pipes, pipe “belling” or sinking from soil subsidence beneath the pipe, poor drainage design or ongoing build-up. Without proper diagnosis and drain clearing, the same problem can keep happening.
  • Home insurance woes: Clearing a drain is considered to be licensed work and should only be carried out by a licensed plumber. If DIY drain clearing goes wrong, it can negatively impact your home insurance coverage. The same is true when you hire an unlicensed handyman to tinker with your plumbing. It’s just not worth the risk.

When should you call a professional plumber?

The biggest mistake homeowners make is assuming every blocked drain has the same cause and the same DIY solution. A small plumbing snake might be suitable for a minor bathroom blockage, but a deeper sewer obstruction usually requires advanced plumbing equipment. Without professional diagnosis, you won’t know which kind of blockage you’re dealing with. Choosing the wrong approach with the wrong equipment can waste time, cause further damage and delay the right solution.

Professional assistance is recommended when:

  • multiple drains are blocked
  • the blockage is recurring
  • water backs up into sinks, showers or toilets
  • you notice unpleasant smells or gurgling sounds
  • outdoor drains are overflowing.

The team at Salmon Plumbing understand that there is no single drain-clearing tool that works for every situation. We use specialised equipment, including CCTV drain cameras, drain-clearing machines and high-pressure water jetting, to diagnose and resolve more complex drain blockages. The result is an efficient and effective solution to your plumbing problems.

Save Time, Money and Frustration – Call Salmon Plumbing!

For plumbing expertise you can trust, get in touch with Brisbane’s blocked drain specialists today.