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Snake the Drain to Clear Clog

2:05
7:07
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At 2:05 in

How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain like a Pro!

What happens here

Carefully insert the head of the drain snake cable into the overflow opening. Push the cable in as far as it goes manually. Once resistance is met or the cable has reached a significant depth, attach the power drill to the drain cleaner and set the drill to the appropriate direction (usually clockwise for feeding into the pipe and breaking the clog, or as indicated by the tool's instructions). Press the trigger on the drain cleaner to automatically feed the cable into the pipe while the drill rotates it. Continue feeding the cable until you feel it break through the clog or reach its full extension. Move the cable back and forth slightly to ensure the clog is thoroughly dislodged or retrieved. Be mindful of not forcing the cable too aggressively to prevent damaging the pipes.

Goal: Insert the drain snake into the overflow opening and maneuver it through the pipes, using the power drill to rotate the cable and break through the clog.

Tools and materials

  • Power Drill
  • RIDGID Power Spin+ Drain Cleaner