A clogged drain is more than just an annoyance. It’s often a sign of a more serious problem, such as a main sewer line clog. If this type of blockage is ignored, a sewage backup can contaminate your water supply and cost you thousands in repairs. If you need to hire a plumber for sewer snaking but aren’t sure what to expect, here is an overview of this service and how it works.

What Is Sewer Snaking?

A sewer snake is a flexible auger used to clear clogs and blockages in the main sewer line. These clogs happen for a variety of reasons, such as solids or food items like oil and grease being poured down the toilet. It’s important to hire a certified plumber to perform this service as failing to use this tool properly could cause more damage to the pipes. A plumber has the tools to locate the source of the clog before performing sewer snaking. 

How Does It Work?

The auger piece of the snake is inserted directly into the pipe through the drain. Using a handle or a crank, the snake is uncoiled to move further down the drain pipe. When it reaches the location of the blockage, the head will be rotated to break up the obstruction. This will be done until there is no longer any resistance to the snake. Once the snake has been pulled out, the plumber will clean the auger head and determine if the process needs to be repeated to clear out the entire blockage. 

When it’s time to schedule sewer snaking services for a main sewer clog on your property, turn to the team at Valley Mechanical. For nearly 20 years, this locally-owned business has offered top-notch plumbing and HVAC services for homeowners throughout Ontario County, NY, including in Canadice, South Bristo, Branchport, Springwater, and Atlanta. From installations and replacements to maintenance and emergency repairs, you can count on their technicians to keep your systems running in peak condition. Call (585) 374-6866 today to schedule an appointment or visit their website for more information about their services.