Drain auger

A drain auger is a flexible cable, often called a drain snake, with a cutting or grabbing head used to clear blockages in waste pipes and small drains. Hand-cranked units typically carry 7.5 to 15 metres of 6mm or 10mm cable and are used by plumbers for sink, basin and toilet wastes. Larger powered drum or sectional machines extend the range to 30 to 45 metres and accept 13mm to 22mm cable for 100mm to 150mm drains. Augers are particularly useful where a jetter cannot be deployed, for example in upper floor London flats or where waste runs into wall voids. Cable inspection before use is critical, since kinked or worn cables can shed and become lodged in the pipework.