Drain Snake vs. Drain Auger: Pros, Cons & When to Use Each

Quick Answer

A drain snake is a thin, flexible cable that is best suited for shallow clogs in sinks, tubs, and to clean a shower drain. Thicker and stiffer and with more torque, a drain auger (also known as a toilet auger) is the choice for larger, tougher blockages and toilets. Both tools can be used to unclog or remove a clog, but the wrong pick can damage the porcelain or cause the clog to travel further down the line.

If your DIY job fails to solve the issue, BOS Plumbing and Drains provide emergency plumber and 24 hour plumber services in the GTA.

What Is a Drain Snake?

A drain snake or plumbing snake/drain plumbing snake is a thin, soft flexible metal cable, typically 15 to 25 feet long that is used for small household drains. It is extremely thin and will not damage your fixtures, it can curve around P-traps and S-traps.

Where a drain snake works best:

• Bathroom and kitchen sinks
• Bathtub drains
• Shower drains with hair and soap buildup
• Laundry drains with soap residue

Basic sink snake or shower drain snake are the standard snakes that fit the 1 1/4 to 2 inch diameter of pipes used for household fixture drains.

What Is a Drain Auger?

A drain auger is a heavier duty device that has a thicker, stiffer cable with a spiral or corkscrew at the end, which is encased in a canister. When the handle is cranked, it feeds the coil into the pipe and is able to puncture or catch hard clogs which can’t be handled with a regular pipe snake.

An auger plumbing tool is generally used on larger lines (approx. 1½-3”):

• Toilets (with a specialized toilet auger, also called a closet auger)
• Floor drains
• Main branch lines feeding multiple fixtures

The toilet drain snake is made with a protective sleeve which has to be put against the bowl of the toilet as a standard drain snake is not designed to do this.

Drain Snake vs. Drain Auger: Comparison Table

Pros and Cons

Drain Snake

• ✔ Inexpensive and easy to store
• ✔ Gentle enough for everyday sink and shower clogs
• ✘ Not strong enough for toilets or deep sewer clogs
• ✘ Struggles with grease buildup

Drain Auger

• ✔ Handles tough, deep-set blockages
• ✔ Purpose-built toilet augers protect porcelain
• ✘ Bulkier and heavier to operate
• ✘ Can damage smaller pipes if used incorrectly

How to Clean a Shower Drain With a Drain Snake

To clean a shower drain, detach the shower drain cover and push the snake’s cable directly down until you get a resistance, then twist the handle clockwise and apply a slight amount of pressure. When you sense the clog release, slowly pull the cable back out to dislodge hair and other debris that may be causing the clog, then run hot water down the line.

Pro tip: Do not jerk the cable, a slow and steady twist will remove more debris and will decrease the risk that it will be pushed further.

DIY Drain Snake: When It Makes Sense

For slow sinks, tubs and showers, a DIY snake for drain is a good initial solution for clogs. One can be safely used by most homeowners, without special training. The dIY plumbing snake is much cheaper than paying for a service call, and will pay for itself the first time it removes a clog.

Call a professional when:

• The clog returns within days of clearing it
• Multiple drains back up at the same time
• You smell sewage or notice gurgling in other fixtures
• The clog is beyond the first few feet of pipe

If the clogs keep happening or are occurring at multiple times in your plumbing, then it is likely that you need to have a plumbing repair performed at a different point in the plumbing system.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using a standard pipe snake on a toilet (it can scratch or crack porcelain)
2. Forcing the cable instead of twisting it through resistance
3. Skipping a follow-up flush with hot water
4. Ignoring a plumbing leak that appears after clearing a clog that can signal a damaged pipe joint

About BOS Plumbing and Drains

BOS Plumbing and Drains is a 20+ year Mississauga plumbing and drain company serving the entire GTA including Oakville, Brampton, Etobicoke, Oakville, Milton, Niagara, Cambridge and Hamilton. Whether it’s routine drain cleaning or a comprehensive plumbing repair service, water heater service or an emergency plumbing call, our local plumbers are available around the clock. If this doesn’t help you unclog a clog, our plumber team is available 24 hours plumber a day to help you find a plumber Mississauga, plumber Oakville or a plumber Brampton that you can trust to unclog your clog while you search for “plumbers near me”.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between a drain snake and a drain auger? 

A drain snake uses a thin cable for small drains like sinks and showers, while a drain auger uses a thicker, stiffer cable built for toilets and larger, tougher clogs.

2. Can I use a toilet snake on a sink?

No. A toilet snake is stiff and shaped for the toilet’s trap benefit can scratch a sink or scrape the finish off other fixtures.

3. How much does a plumbing snake cost?

A basic hand-crank drain snake runs $15 to $50, while powered augers range from $50 to over $1,000 depending on length and motor size.

4. Does a drain auger damage pipes?

It can, if used carelessly on smaller pipes or forced against resistance. Older or fragile pipes are especially at risk, which is why many homeowners call a local plumbers team for anything beyond a simple sink clog.

5. When should I call an emergency plumber instead of DIY?

Call an emergency plumber if water is backing up into multiple fixtures, you smell sewage, or a clog returns repeatedly; these usually signal a problem further down the plumbing system.

Key Takeaways

• Use a drain snake for everyday sink, tub, and shower drain snake jobs.
• Use a toilet auger or heavier drain auger for toilets and stubborn, deep clogs.
• A slow, steady twist clears more debris than force.
• Recurring clogs often need a professional look at the plumbing system.
• BOS Plumbing and Drains offers 24 hour plumber service across the GTA for anything DIY tools can’t fix.