You only have to reach into the depths of a hair-clogged bathtub drain with your fingers or a hanger once to realize there must be a better way. Indeed, drain snakes and drain augers make this not-so-pleasant but necessary task much easier. So, which ones do our plumbing experts recommend for tackling tough clogs on your own?
Before we share our top picks, here’s a quick overview of how drain snakes work and which DIY plumbing issues they’re best suited for.
How do drain snakes work?
If your sink is clogged and just won’t drain, something needs to change. Most of the time, everyday debris—food scraps, hair and toilet paper—have built up and need help moving on down the pipe. That’s where drain snakes come in. They’re long, flexible wires that slide through the pipe, break up whatever’s causing the blockage and allow it to carry on down the drain.
On which kind of clogs are plumbing snakes effective?
Manual drain snakes are designed to help you dislodge lighter clogs from the sink and shower, such as:
- Clumps of hair
- Vegetable peelings
- Small toys
- Toilet paper (if it’s a toilet snake designed specifically for toilet pipes)
Electric drain snakes do heavier lifting with thick grease clogs or older sewer pipes, but we recommend sticking to DIY work on lighter clogs so you don’t risk damaging your pipes.
There are a surprising number of design features and types of drain snakes, so we’ll introduce you to a handful that suit most homeowner’s basic needs.
The Best Drain Snakes for 2022
Best Drain Snake for Hair Clogs
If you or someone you live with is lucky enough to have a thick head of long hair, it’s worth
investing in a simple drain snake designed just for this job. We like the FlexiSnake Drain Weasel
Hair Clog Tool Starter Kit for Drain Cleaning (3-Piece).
- Ultra-thin and flexible wire easily bends through sinks and shower drains
- Micro hook technology grabs on contact and tackles caked hair clogs
- A very economical option at less than $10
- Refill wands let you continue using the tool base for the number one source of bathroom drain clogs—hair!
Best Drain Snake for Toilets
Toilet augers have a few unique design features to suit the unique clogs of toilets, including long wands to go the distance through curves and a turn-crank function for 360-degree penetration. We like the Ridgid 59797 6-Feet Toilet Auger with Bulb Head.
- Vinyl guard helps prevent chipping
- Effective on everything from sewage to sticks to rags
- Kink-resistant cable
Best Drain Clog Multi-tasker
Drains aren’t particular about what they receive and in the span of a year, you could be faced with everything from a goodie bag or plastic toy soldier in the toilet to potato peels in the kitchen sink. For a good all-around drain snake with versatility, we like the Liboyixi 6+1 Drain Clog Remover Tool.
- Multiple lengths, widths and materials to suit most light kitchen and bathroom clogs
- Bonus drain plug
- A very budget-friendly option with good results if you don’t mind putting a bit of muscle behind it
If you think you might be dealing with a thicker clog, grease clogs or old sewer pipes, turning to a professional plumber could help you get relief sooner and protect your pipes.
Are you looking for a trusted local plumbing company? At Tap 2 Drain Plumbing, our certified technicians work efficiently and with the right tools to unclog your drains and get your kitchen or bathroom back in use. Contact us today to learn more and book your visit.