You’ve twisted the snake, fed it into the pipe, pulled out hair gunk, and maybe even caught a whiff of something you regret. But the water still isn’t moving. The drain’s just as slow — or worse — than when you started.

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we hear this story a lot. You tried to clear the clog yourself. You gave it a fair shot. But sometimes, the clog isn’t just stubborn — it’s beyond what a basic drain snake can handle. Let’s explain why that happens, what you can try next, and when to call in the big guns.

Why Snaking Doesn’t Always Work

Before we discuss what to do next, it helps to understand why the snake might be failing. Most consumer-grade snakes are 15 to 25 feet long and can handle basic blockages, like hair or food buildup in traps or short branch lines.
But when a snake doesn’t work, it usually comes down to one of these reasons:

• The clog is too far down the line
• The clog is too thick or solid (think grease, soap scum, wipes, or hardened debris)
• There’s a break, dip, or collapse in the pipe
• Tree roots have been pushed into the line
• You’re using the wrong type of snake for the job

This isn’t a knock on your effort. We’ve seen professional-grade snakes stall out on certain blockages too. That’s when we pull out the next-level tools.

What We Do When the Snake Fails

We don’t give up at the first sign of trouble. Our approach always depends on what we find — and what we hear from you. Here’s how we go after the deeper clogs.

1. Camera Inspection

We don’t guess. If a snake won’t cut it, we feed a video camera into your pipes to see what we’re dealing with. That tells us where the clog is, what it’s made of, and whether there’s damage or a nasty buildup.
Seeing the problem changes everything. No more trial and error. It’s just a clear plan.

2. Hydrojetting

If the clog is a thick buildup of grease, scale, or debris, we bring out the hydro jet. It’s like a pressure washer for your pipes. A flexible hose sprays high-pressure water in every direction, blasting away everything in its path without damaging your plumbing.
Hydrojetting works where snaking doesn’t because it doesn’t just poke a hole through the clog. It scrubs the entire pipe clean.

3. Disassembly and Manual Clearing

Sometimes, the clog is stuck right at the trap or a sharp bend. In that case, we shut off the water, open the trap or drain segment, and clear it by hand. We bag and remove the mess, then reassemble and test the line.
Yes, it’s gross. But that’s why you call us, right?

4. Main Line Clearing

If you have multiple slow or backed-up drains, your main sewer line might be the issue. That’s a bigger job—and snaking from the kitchen sink won’t touch it. We use power augers or jetters from the cleanout or main access point to clear the line.
If roots are the culprit, we use cutting heads designed to break them up without damaging the pipe.

When to Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

You’ve already tried the snake. Maybe you’ve used chemicals (which we don’t recommend), boiling water, baking soda, vinegar — the works. If none of it helped, it’s time to pick up the phone.

Call us when:

• You’ve snaked the line and nothing changed
• The snake got stuck or won’t go far
• You’re hearing gurgling from other drains when you run water
• Water backs up in the shower or basement when you flush or use the sink
• You’re getting foul odors from the drain
• You’ve had repeated clogs in the same spot

We don’t play guessing games. We show up, find the cause, and get your drain flowing again — fast and clean.

What We Do (Step by Step)

Here’s our typical game plan when a clog has outsmarted the snake:

Talk With You First

We ask what you’ve tried, how long the drain’s been slow, and whether other drains are affected.

Test the System

We run water, flush toilets, check the cleanout, and trace how the clog is behaving.

Camera Scope

We feed our waterproof camera into the line. If there’s a blockage, we find it. If there’s a break, we see it.

Choose the Right Tool

Based on what we see, we use a jetter, power auger, or a manual clear, depending on the material and location of the clog.

Clear It and Test It

Once the job’s done, we run the system—multiple drains, full flush, full flow. If it’s not right, we keep working.

Clean Up and Explain

We leave your home cleaner than we found it, explaining what happened and how to avoid it in the future.
Stubbornly honest plumbers. That’s who we are. We fix the clog, tell you the truth, and don’t try to sell you something you don’t need.

FAQ

What should I do if the snake gets stuck?

Stop. Don’t force it. You could kink the cable or damage the pipe. Give us a call and we’ll get it out safely.

Is hydrojetting safe for all pipes?

We’ll check the pipe material first. For most modern or sturdy pipes, hydrojetting is a great option. If your pipes are fragile or damaged, we’ll use other tools.

What causes clogs that snakes can’t handle?

Grease buildup, hardened debris, soap scum, foreign objects, collapsed pipes, or invasive roots are the usual suspects.

Will the clog come back after you clear it?

Not if we do it right. We clean the pipe, not just the hole in the clog. We’ll also give you advice on how to keep it from returning.

Let’s Clear That Drain the Right Way

If your snake gave up or your patience did  let’s finish the job. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we clear the tough clogs others can’t. No nonsense, no mess, no dragging it out.

Call today. Let’s get your water flowing again and your home back to normal. And remember — with stubbornly honest plumbers, you’ll never get anything less than the truth. And a clear drain.