On May 4, 9:52 pm, "Eigenvector" wrote:
I've used one of those hand held rotating drain augers but I found that once
the spring kinks or bends it pretty much won't ever get around the U trap
ever again.

I wondering if the spring style auger does better or worse than the flat bar
style. I see mostly the spring styles but am wondering if they are one shot
items or can be expected to last forever.

If the spring does kink, permanently bending it for the most part, should I
toss it.

You always dissasemble the trap before snaking the drain. That style
of auger is called a "closet auger". It is just a flat piece of
flexible steel, I believe? You can only clean out the easiest clog
with one of those since they are so short and unpowered.

Not sure exactly what you mean by that but my auger looks like an
ordinary Milwaukee drill except that it has a drum on the front filled
with steel cable. This cable is indeed coiled like a spring and I
guess that there are hand augers with this type of cable as well.
That must be what you mean.

If it were bent I would not used it again. The danger of breaking it
off inside the pipe is too great. I take extra care to wash and oil
down my auger after each use so it won't get rusty.