Tom said "If you plan on snaking the line out, (recommended) then I suggest using a 1/4" cable with the tip reversed so you go in with the plain end. That will get you around the elbows. Good luck, Tom"


My question is what kind of 1/4 cable are you referring to? Not sure I've seen a 1/4" snake. Do you mean a flat snake, 1/4 wide? Alternately, a round snake - a coiled wire, won't go through an 1 1/2" 'L' as per the below.

If I'm guessing right, the plain end would then be just flat metal. I have tried the plain end of a flat snake and tried the curly end of every snake sold by HD, and NONE will pass through a 1 1/2" pvc 'L'. The plain end of a coiled round snake, won't either.

With pvc, the blunt end of the pipem inserted into the 'L', creates a sharp edge inside every 'L'. In larger pipes like a 4" the snake can flop around and will get through. In a 1 1/2" line there's little room and all the snakes I've seen catch that edge.

What's the best way to get through?

Hi Etbrown and welcome to The Plumbing Page on AMHD.
You piggybacked on a 6 year old dead thread so I gavou one of your own. Before you post look in the upper left hand corner for the date.. You can't go by the advice given in a 6 year old answer. Each problem's got problems all its own. I want you to start by telling me your complaint and furnishing all the details that you can, Until I know exactly what you're attempting to accomplish I can't help. Please repost your question. Thanks Tom