While clearing clogged drains often requires the use of heavy-duty snakes and augers, some stopped-up drains can be made free flowing again with the use of lighter-weight tools. This is especially true for clogged sink and tub drains. These tools are smaller and easier to handle, and they are much less expensive than large drum snakes. Here's a look at some of them.
Cordless Augers
Anyone who uses a handheld power drain auger no longer has to rely on corded models, as both Ryobi and Milwaukee Tool have added cordless augers to their product lines. Both of these relatively lightweight tools are designed to clear clogs from sink and tub drains using a 25-foot cable. They can be either handheld or placed on the floor or another surface.
The Ryobi 18V ONE+ Drain Auger works with the company's ONE+ batteries. It is designed to clear pipes up to 2 inches. There is power forward and reverse, and an auto-feed lock that eliminates squeezing the pommel to feed the cable. A rear drain port prevents water buildup in the drum. The tool is sold without the battery, but it works with any Ryobi 18-volt ONE+ battery.
The M12 Drain Snake from Milwaukee Tool clears drains up to 2 1/2 inches, using 1/4- or 5/16-inch cable. The tool has a fixed drum shield to protect users and the surrounding area from splatter.
The inner drum is removable to prevent cable bind-up and to contain the mess inside the drum. The tool is powered by the company's REDLITHIUM battery. It has an LED light to illuminate the work area. The tool is sold separately or as a kit that includes the tool, battery, charger and a storage bucket.
No-Mess Drain Cleaning
No mess may be overstating it, but the cable in the Auto-Clean/K-30 Sink Machine from RIDGID is contained inside a guide hose that is designed to minimize the cleanup of hands, the work area and surrounding fixtures.
The hose surrounds a 1/4-inch by 30-foot cable that can handle drainlines ranging from 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches used in sink, tub and shower drains, and at about half the price of some handheld power snakes. The floor-mounted unit has foot bulb activation and auto-feed controls at the end of the guide hose.
Mini Hydrojetter
Many plumbers and sewer cleaning professionals invest in jetters to clear clogs. These units use water pressure to power through anything blocking the pipe. Professional models are often mounted on a trailer that includes a large water reserve because the jetters can use up to 25 gpm at pressures up to 4,000 psi.
The Clog Hog is a scaled-down version of the professional jetter that uses a pressure washer to clear drains. Once the Clog Hog is attached to the pressure washer, a thin hose is inserted into the drain. Jets of water clear the clog while reverse jets propel the hose through the pipe. The more powerful the pressure washer, the more drain-cleaning capability. While the tool cannot produce the same power as a professional unit — it can't clear tree roots, for example — if you have a good pressure washer, it may be sufficient for smaller jobs.
Hair Pullers
If you know a slow-running bathroom sink is due to a clump of hair held together with soap scum and makeup, you use a tool you can insert into the drain to yank out the mess. There are a number of them available, and they all cost under $10. 
The Drain Weasel is an 18-inch long wand that is 1/8 inch in diameter. The wand has small barbs at the end to grab the hair. The wand attaches to a handle that allows the user to spin the wand to get a good grip on the clog. This tool differs from many others in that you can dispose of the wand with the clog and attach a new one to the handle. Replacement wands are sold separately.
About the Author
Fran Donegan writes home- and garden-related content for numerous digital and print publications. He is the author of the books Pools and Spas (Creative Homeowner Press) and Paint Your Home (Readers Digest). Fran also writes for The Home Depot, which offers a wide selection of drain cleaning equipment.
