Drain snaking uses a flexible cable to reach the blockage inside the pipe and break it apart or pull it back out, restoring flow without opening up the drain line.
Snaking works well for localized blockages — a hair clog in a tub, food waste in a kitchen line, or paper build-up past a toilet. The cable travels the bend of the pipe and clears the obstruction at its location rather than pushing it deeper into the system.
Cable size matters
A small hand cable suits a sink trap; a main sewer line needs a heavier machine with a cutting head. Using an undersized cable on a large line often only punches a hole through the blockage, which is why the drain slows again soon after.
After the line is open
Once flow is restored we check the drain under running water. If the blockage returns quickly or the cable meets resistance in the same spot, we'll recommend a camera inspection to see what's actually happening inside the pipe.