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Drain auger design Eigenvector 05-04-2007
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Posted by Eigenvector on May 4, 2007, 10:52 pm


I've used one of those hand held rotating drain augers but I found that once
the spring kinks or bends it pretty much won't ever get around the U trap
ever again.

I wondering if the spring style auger does better or worse than the flat bar
style. I see mostly the spring styles but am wondering if they are one shot
items or can be expected to last forever.

If the spring does kink, permanently bending it for the most part, should I
toss it.


Posted by Lawrence on May 5, 2007, 11:23 am


> I've used one of those hand held rotating drain augers but I found that once
> the spring kinks or bends it pretty much won't ever get around the U trap
> ever again.
>
> I wondering if the spring style auger does better or worse than the flat bar
> style. I see mostly the spring styles but am wondering if they are one shot
> items or can be expected to last forever.
>
> If the spring does kink, permanently bending it for the most part, should I
> toss it.

You always dissasemble the trap before snaking the drain. That style
of auger is called a "closet auger". It is just a flat piece of
flexible steel, I believe? You can only clean out the easiest clog
with one of those since they are so short and unpowered.

Not sure exactly what you mean by that but my auger looks like an
ordinary Milwaukee drill except that it has a drum on the front filled
with steel cable. This cable is indeed coiled like a spring and I
guess that there are hand augers with this type of cable as well.
That must be what you mean.

If it were bent I would not used it again. The danger of breaking it
off inside the pipe is too great. I take extra care to wash and oil
down my auger after each use so it won't get rusty.


Posted by Lawrence on May 5, 2007, 11:35 am


> I've used one of those hand held rotating drain augers but I found that once
> the spring kinks or bends it pretty much won't ever get around the U trap
> ever again.

You always dissasemble the trap before snaking the drain. That style
of auger is called a "closet auger" i guess because it will fit in a
closet. It is just a flat piece of flexible steel, I believe? You
can only clean out the easiest clog with one of those since they are
so short and without power .

> I wondering if the spring style auger does better or worse than the flat bar
> style. I see mostly the spring styles but am wondering if they are one shot
> items or can be expected to last forever.

My auger looks like an ordinary Milwaukee drill except that it has a
drum on the front filled with 50 feet of steel cable. This cable is
indeed coiled like a spring and there are hand augers with this type
of cable as well. Any auger will last a very long time if you keep
some oil on it and don't use it too often. Few things last forever.
It's a real bummer.
>
> If the spring does kink, permanently bending it for the most part, should I
> toss it.

Toss it. Any auger which is bent or even rusty should be replaced.
The risk of breaking it off in the pipe is too great. I routinely
wash off and oil down my auger before after each use so hopefully I
won't have to buy another.



Posted by Eigenvector on May 5, 2007, 1:05 pm



>> I've used one of those hand held rotating drain augers but I found that
>> once
>> the spring kinks or bends it pretty much won't ever get around the U trap
>> ever again.
>
> You always dissasemble the trap before snaking the drain. That style
> of auger is called a "closet auger" i guess because it will fit in a
> closet. It is just a flat piece of flexible steel, I believe? You
> can only clean out the easiest clog with one of those since they are
> so short and without power .
>

Well I can't dissasemble the trap on this, cast iron from the tub -if I
could it would make my life so much easier. Rusty cast iron pipes are
magnets for any hair that get put down the tub drain.

I'm glad you mentioned the flat bar types are worthless, at least I won't be
suckered in if I see them.

>> I wondering if the spring style auger does better or worse than the flat
>> bar
>> style. I see mostly the spring styles but am wondering if they are one
>> shot
>> items or can be expected to last forever.
>
> My auger looks like an ordinary Milwaukee drill except that it has a
> drum on the front filled with 50 feet of steel cable. This cable is
> indeed coiled like a spring and there are hand augers with this type
> of cable as well. Any auger will last a very long time if you keep
> some oil on it and don't use it too often. Few things last forever.
> It's a real bummer.
>>
>> If the spring does kink, permanently bending it for the most part, should
>> I
>> toss it.

Thanks for that too. I didn't consider the fact that it might break off and
make my day even better. Actually now that I think of it, if it were to
break off I might have a reason to take a saw to the drain pipes and replace
the whole rusty bunch with black plastic. Of course I might also get a face
full of septic gas for my efforts.

>
> Toss it. Any auger which is bent or even rusty should be replaced.
> The risk of breaking it off in the pipe is too great. I routinely
> wash off and oil down my auger before after each use so hopefully I
> won't have to buy another.
>
>


Posted by Lawrence on May 5, 2007, 3:33 pm



> > You always dissasemble the trap before snaking the drain. That style
> > of auger is called a "closet auger" i guess because it will fit in a
> > closet. It is just a flat piece of flexible steel, I believe? You
> > can only clean out the easiest clog with one of those since they are
> > so short and without power .
>
> Well I can't dissasemble the trap on this, cast iron from the tub -if I
> could it would make my life so much easier. Rusty cast iron pipes are
> magnets for any hair that get put down the tub drain.
>
> I'm glad you mentioned the flat bar types are worthless, at least I won't be
> suckered in if I see them.

I don't say they are worthless but for sure are quite limited in their
effectiveness since they are only a few feet long. An auger is not
designed to curve through a trap like that. For sure mine won't.

Your tub may should have a cleanout for this purpose, most do. It is
an angled fixture downstream of the trap that can be opened up to
accept the snake and thus, cleanout the line. It could be behind the
wall or in the basement. Every fixture in my house has one. If there
is no cleanout then you should try to install one. Mine is in the
wall and I had to cut away some wallboard to snake the line.

An auger can fit down the toilet however and mine came with a curved
pipe through which the snake passes. This helps the cable to make the
curve and prevents damage to the toilet bowl. The tubs' plumbing
often runs to the toilet so it may also be possible for you to fix the
clog by snaking the toilet or any cleanout downstream from the tub.


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