Why Won’t My Drain Snake Go Down the Bathtub Drain?

A tub drain snake, also known as a plumbing snake, is a tool used to dislodge drain clogs. If a tub drain snake is in good shape and you know how to use it, the tool should go down the bathtub drain without any problems. At times, this tool just doesn’t work the way it should. And, your tub drain snake may not go down the drain for a number of reasons.

At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of New Jersey, our certified plumbers in Howell have decades of experience in drain cleaning services. Our plumbers know how to use the drain snake correctly and the common problems homeowners experience when using this drain cleaning tool. Let’s look at some of the reasons why the snake won’t go down the bathtub drain.

1. Wrong-Sized Tub Drain Snake:

Tub drain snakes come in various sizes to match different sizes of plumbing pipes. For bathtub drain clogs, you should use a small drum auger tub drain snake. If you try to use a sewer drain snake to dislodge bathtub drain clogs, the snake won’t go down the drain. If you’re unsure which tub drain snake to use to clear plumbing clogs, consult with a plumber.

2. Dysfunctional Tub Drain Snake

For your tub drain snake to go down the drain without problems, it must be in good shape. If it’s damaged and some of its components aren’t functioning as they should, the drain snake won’t work properly. Check if remnants of previous clogs are still attached to the snake, and look for any defects on the tool. If your tub drain snake is damaged, you’ll need to get a new one.

3. You’re Using Too Much Force

A common mistake some homeowners make is forcing the snake through the bathtub drain too fast. When you push the tub drain snake too quickly into the drain, the tool may bend back and actually come out of the drain. Besides, forcing your tub drain snake into drains can damage your pipes. Instead of using too much force, push the snake slowly and gently into the drain until you reach the clog.

4. The Clog Is Too Big

At times, the problem may not be the condition of the drain snake or how you use it, but rather the kind of clog you’re dealing with. The clog may be too big or too impacted for your tub drain snake to handle. If the clog is too big and you’re unable to dislodge it with your tub drain snake, it’s advisable to call a professional to help you out.

Need Efficient Drain Cleaning in New Jersey? Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of New Jersey

If you’re in need of professional drain cleaning in New Jersey, you can trust the expert plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of New Jersey to do an exceptional job. With our decades of experience in the plumbing industry, there’s no drain cleaning job that is too big or too small for our team of plumbers. We are equipped with top-of-the-line drain cleaning tools such as motorized augers, hydro-jetting machines, and drain inspection cameras to offer top-notch drain cleaning services.