When you are running a drain snake into the drain, it becomes important to make sure it goes through as intended.
When there are twists and turns in the drain pipe, the snake is not always going to get through to its required target. This creates a situation where you attempt to push with the drain snake and it refuses to budge.
In a situation such as this, you will realize the drain snake is twisted inside the drain pipe.
If the drain snake is twisted inside the drain pipe, it’s best to start by turning the handle to one direction, pouring dish detergent for lubrication, pulling gently, and letting the drain snake slide out.
You will need to be patient while doing this depending on how far the drain snake has gone and how bad the twisting is.
A trapped drain snake is not going to ruin the drain unless you start yanking at it aggressively. This is why using lubrication is a much better bet and is going to lead you to the results you’re after.
Here is a look at what you have to do with a twisted drain snake.
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How To Fix Drain Snake That’s Twisted
1. Turn The Handle To One Side
If a drain snake won’t make the turn, you will need to avoid pushing it further.
The common reaction is to attempt to push a little harder as a way to get it to budge. While it might push further, it is also going to twist more.
This makes it much harder to take out later.
As soon as you feel like the drain snake is beginning to twist inside, it’s time to slow down how much force is being applied to the tool.
This is the only way you are going to make sure it does not slip out of your control.
When you do notice the drain snake has twisted inside, it’s time to turn the handle to one side. You should feel the drain snake loosen in your hand while doing this. If not, you will want to turn it in the opposite direction without pulling.
2. Pour Dish Detergent Into The Pipe
At this point, you are going to need lubrication.
To lubricate a drain snake, you are going to have to use dish detergent. You can pour it into the drain and let it slide alongside the drain snake.
This is going to cover the drain snake and make it easier to slide out.
3. Pull Gently
You will now want to start pulling at the drain snake.
This does not mean you have the license to start yanking at the drain snake. It is already going to be twisted and pulling too hard is going to worsen the situation.
You will want to be methodical about this.
To do this the right way, you are going to want to pull as gently as you can. Just get it to slide inch-by-inch until you start noticing it moving.
This is how you are going to get the results you want.
4. Let The Drain Snake Slide Out
The last step is to let the drain snake slide out.
This is due to the lubrication from the dish detergent. You are going to want to make sure it continues to slide out patiently.
It will take a bit of time to manage but you are going to be impressed by how easily it comes out as soon as you pull.
If it is not too deep, this is only going to take a few seconds.
Just continue to pay attention to the amount of tension on the drain snake as you pull. This is a sign you need to turn it in the other direction as you continue to let it slide out of the drain.
Final Thoughts
It is these steps that will help when it is time to work on a twisted drain snake at home.
If the drain snake is twisted inside the drain, start by turning the handle to one side, pouring dish detergent into the drain for lubrication, and gently pulling until it slides out.
This is the only way you are going to get a twisted drain snake out of the drain as soon as you want.
Do not rush this process by pulling hard at the drain snake. This is not going to work and it might worsen the situation.
Your patience during this process is going to help get the drain snake out of where it’s trapped.
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