Hand Augers & Drain Snakes
Drain snakes clear clogs in sinks, tubs, toilets and sewer lines. A hand auger is simple. A powered drum machine spins a steel cable with real torque. A cable that kinks and whips can break fingers and wrists, and the drain itself can spray sewage and chemicals. Control the cable and protect yourself from what comes back up.
- Plumbers
- Maintenance Techs
- Property Managers
- Homeowners
Types
- Closet augers (toilet augers) with a short cable and hand crank.
- Hand-crank drum augers for sinks and tubs.
- Powered drum machines with an electric motor, foot switch and cable from small (about 3/8 inch) to large sewer machines.
- Cutter heads attached to the cable for roots and scale. See Plumbing & Pipefitting.
Main hazards
- Entanglement and twisting: a rotating cable can wrap around a hand or glove, kink and snap back. Keep control of the cable and don't let it spin loose.
- Sewage and biological hazards: splash and spray carry germs. See Sewage & Wastewater Exposure and Biological Hazards.
- Chemical drain cleaners: caustic or acidic products already in the line can splash back. Never mix cleaners. See Household Chemicals.
- Electric shock: powered machines near water. Use a GFCI. See GFCI Protection.
- Slips on wet floors and back strain from kneeling and hauling machines.
- Cuts from cable ends and cutting heads.
- Sewer gas in basements and manholes. See Hydrogen Sulfide.
Safe use
- Wear safety glasses or goggles, waterproof gloves that fit snugly (follow the machine maker's glove rules), a rain apron or coveralls and non-slip boots. Don't wear loose gloves, rings or sleeves that can catch the cable.
- Ask about chemical cleaners used before you start. If chemicals were used, assume splash and wear a face shield.
- Place drop cloths and a bucket, and clear the area of people and pets.
- Feed the cable with the foot switch in your control and use the machine's guide tube or hose. Hold the cable so it can't whip; let it feed slowly, and stop if it binds.
- Never hold or lean on the spinning cable. Release the foot switch to stop. Reverse only as the maker directs.
- Use a GFCI-protected outlet and keep cords out of water. Unplug before changing the cable or head.
- Clean and disinfect tools and wash hands, face and arms with soap before eating or smoking. See Take-Home Contamination.
- Lift machines with a cart or help, and don't carry them on stairs alone.
Drain snake checklist
- I wear eye protection, waterproof gloves that can't catch, and non-slip boots
- I asked about chemical cleaners and wear a face shield if used
- I control the cable and the foot switch; I never hold a spinning cable
- The machine is GFCI-protected and unplugged for service
- I disinfect tools and wash up after the job
Standards & references
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