Drain cleaning tools explained: When to use a drain snake, jetter or plunger

Looking for the best drain unblocking tool for your cleaning routine?

You may or may not already be aware, but it's always best to avoid using harsh drain cleaners and chemicals such as bleach, bicarbonate of soda and commercial drain unblockers. Find out why these chemicals can seriously damage the pipes and connections within your drainage system in our article ‘Does bleach unblock drains?’.

At Lanes, we’re committed to educating our clients and the general public on how to properly maintain and care for drains and sewers. Luckily, there are plenty of natural drain unblocking alternatives, such as drain snakes, drain jetters, and drain plungers.

In this article, we explain how to use the most common drain cleaning tools that don’t require chemicals and will help you discover which one is the best tool for the drain cleaning job at hand.

Should you clean your drains even if they are not currently blocked?

Absolutely! Regular drain maintenance and cleaning can keep your drains in working order while preventing blockages.

Drain maintenance essentials include paying attention to what goes down the drain, catching food scraps with a drain guard, and properly disposing of Fat, Oils and Grease rather than pouring them down the sink.

Being cautious with what you pour down your sink is one of the best ways to prevent your drains from becoming blocked in the first place.

Find out exactly what you should and shouldn't be pouring down the drain in our article ‘What can you flush down the toilet and drains?’.

What is a drain snake?

A drain snake is a long and flexible metal wire with a coil or brush on the end for removing blockages. The shape of it makes it easier to reach obstructions and pull the material out of your drain. Drain snakes can also be referred to as a ‘plumbing snake’ or ‘auger’.

When should you use a drain snake?

A drain snake is helpful for emergency drain unblocking, as it can easily pull up material such as hair and food from drains if within easy reach.

While a drain snake is best used for immediate drain clogs. If fat, oils and grease (FOG) have been collecting on the inside of older, corroding pipes, a snake isn't going to be much help.

Find out how you can remove FOG in our article ‘How to keep your drains clean’.

Top tip: Be careful when using a drain snake. You want to make sure you pull the material up and out of the drain after catching the clog, rather than forcing it further down the pipe.

If you aren't skilled in using a plumbing snake, you may want to call in a drainage unblocking professional, such as Lanes, to make sure the problem doesn't get worse.

What is a drain plunger?

A plunger is a commonly used tool for manual drain unblocking that can be used to unblock sinks, drains and toilets. It uses a rubber suction cup to create pressure that can dislodge clogs and blockages.

When should you use a drain plunger?

Drain plungers are commonly used to unblock toilets, but are also handy tools for unblocking sinks. It's always good to keep one in your home for emergency unblocking of the bathroom and toilet.

Drain plungers can usually remove small blockages easily, especially if they are near the entrance of the sink or just around the U-bend.

For tough, stubborn FOG blockages, a plunger may not always work, and you may have to use high-pressure water jetting to remove the buildup.

What is a drain jetter?

A drain jetter is an advanced drain cleaning tool that uses high-pressure water jets to remove tough and stubborn materials. It can remove everything from grease and dirt to invasive tree roots. The effectiveness of drain jetters makes it perfect for domestic and commercial cleaning and unblocking challenges.

When should you use a drain jetter?

A drain jetter can be used for a wide range of unblocking and cleaning challenges, as the water pressure can be used to break down and remove the toughest of blockage materials. This makes it an ideal option for situations where other methods of drain unblocking may have fallen short. A drain jetter can be used for preventive maintenance tasks as well as to help remove a wide range of tough and stubborn blockages.

Looking for for long lasting and effective drain cleaning services?

At Lanes, we offer professional drain cleaning services with access to the latest technology. From high pressure water jetting to CCTV drain services, we can tackle stubborn blockages that you can’t remove on your own as well as offer you planned preventative maintenance.

Discover our full list of drain and sewer services or contact us for more information.