HOW TO USE A “ZIP-IT”

“Zip-It” style plastic drain snakes are cheap and handy tools that can help clear out clogged drains. These handheld drain cleaners are cheap and can be found at all hardware stores. They are much safer to use than liquid drain cleaners which require repeated use and can be hazardous to your health. They are also much less of a hassle than hiring a plumber!

These are specially designed plastic tools that have small, pointed teeth along its flexible strip. These teeth latch on to clogs in hard-to-reach spaces and eliminates them without the need for a professional plumber. They even work in septic tanks and French drains!

HERE ARE SOME EASY STEPS TO FOLLOW TO ENSURE A SIMPLE AND QUICK DRAIN SNAKING PROCESS:

 

Step 1:

The first thing is to prepare for a mess. This won’t always occur, but you’d rather be safe than sorry! Make sure you have a plastic bag handy to dispose of the offending clog. Make sure you wear rubber gloves! Have a thick cloth or paper towels nearby to clean the plastic snake.

Step 2:

Next, you’re going to want to remove any grates, plates, or stoppers. This will make sure you and your drain snake have easy access to stubborn clogs and hairballs.

Step 3:

Insert the tool into the drain until you reach the obstruction. Force the tool down as far as you can and twist it until it breaks through the clog. Stop pushing when the handle is the only part still protruding from the drain. Wiggle the snake and spin it around the inside of the drain to grasp all of the junk clogging the drain.

Step 4:

Next, begin to pull the tool back out slowly. If you feel resistance, that means it’s working and you have latched onto a clog! Tug as much as you need until the tool is out of the drain.

Step 5:

Remove the remnants of the clog from the teeth and dispose of it in a plastic bag. Use your towels to wipe the tool clean. Check and see if the drain is free by running water down it for a few seconds. If the water still does not flow freely down the drain, repeat the process until you have a clear path.

Step 6:

Once the drain is successfully unclogged, replace the overflow plate or stopper and run some more water down the drain. You have successfully unclogged a drain using your cheap and handy plastic drain snake tool!