Fix a Drain Snake Tangled in the Drum -

If you’ve ever reached for your trusty drain snake only to find it hopelessly tangled inside the drum, you’re not alone.

It’s one of the most frustrating things that can happen during a DIY drain cleaning job—and it can turn a quick task into a knotted nightmare fast.

Whether you’re using a manual hand-crank snake or a motorized version, this post will walk you through how to safely and efficiently untangle a snake from its drum so you can get back to clearing clogs.

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Fix a Drain Snake Tangled in the Drum: A Plumber’s Guide to Getting Back on Track

Why Drain Snakes Get Tangled in the First Place

Before we dive into the fix, it helps to know why this happens. A drain snake can get tangled in the drum for a few reasons:

Overfeeding the cable too fast
Forcing the snake around tight bends or through blockages
Not retracting the cable properly after use
Storing the cable wet and without cleaning

These issues cause the cable to twist on itself and bind up inside the drum—especially if it’s kinked or bent.

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Tools You’ll Need

A pair of work gloves (trust me, this gets messy)
A pair of pliers or channel locks
A clean workspace (a garage floor or a spread-out tarp works great)
Optional: WD-40 or cable lubricant

Step-by-Step: How to Fix a Tangled Drain Snake in the Drum

1. Unplug or Disengage the Machine

Safety first.

If you’re working with an electric or motorized drain snake, make sure it’s completely unplugged or turned off. You don’t want that drum accidentally kicking on while your fingers are near the cable. For hand-crank models, set the handle to a neutral or resting position so it’s not under tension.

2. Set Up Your Workspace

This step is underrated but super helpful.

Lay down a tarp or old towel on the ground to catch any grime, debris, or stray water. Trust me—you’ll thank yourself later. Wear gloves to protect your hands from gunk and possible wire burrs. Have your pliers or channel locks within reach.

3. Open the Drum (If Applicable)

Some drain snakes come with removable drum covers. If yours has one, take it off to get a clear view of the mess.

If not, you’ll be limited to feeding the cable in and out through the narrow feed port—more fiddly, but still doable with patience.

4. Start Pulling the Cable Out Gently

Don’t yank!

Try slowly pulling the snake out of the drum by hand. You might hit resistance—this is where the tangle starts to show itself. Try gently rocking or twisting the cable as you pull. If the cable feels jammed, back off a bit. Pushing it in a few inches and then trying again can sometimes help free the tension.

If you’re using a powered model with a reverse option, do not use that feature at this stage—it can tighten the tangle even more.

5. Identify the Tangle Points

As you gain slack, inspect each section of the cable as it emerges. Look for:

Kinks or bends (often caused by over-twisting in tight pipes)
Overlapping loops where the cable has doubled back on itself
Flattened or twisted sections that might catch on other parts of the drum

Use your pliers to work out kinks gently. You want a relatively smooth cable before feeding it back in.

6. Free the Inner Coil

This is usually the tricky part.
Once you’ve pulled a good section of the snake out, peek into the drum to see what’s left inside. Look for any figure-eight twists or overlapping coils. You may need to:

Rotate the drum slowly by hand
Use a flat screwdriver or a gloved hand to nudge loops apart
Pull out a little more cable, untwist, then feed it back in partway to “reset” the coil

Take your time here. If you rush it, you’re just going to end up back where you started.

7. Straighten and Clean the Cable

Once the snake is fully out or untangled enough to work with, lay it out on your workspace and straighten it as best you can.
Use a rag to wipe off gunk, then follow up with a light spray of WD-40 or cable lubricant. This helps with smoother operation and prevents rust, especially if your snake’s been sitting wet in the drum for a while.

If the snake is badly kinked—especially in multiple spots—you may need to replace that section or the entire cable. Kinks can weaken the wire and make future tangles more likely.

8. Rewind the Cable Properly

This is where a lot of folks go wrong.

Start feeding the snake back into the drum by hand, keeping the cable straight and guiding it in smoothly. Don’t just dump it in or let it spin back in all at once—that’s how tangles start.

As you feed, rotate the drum slowly if needed to let the cable settle in a loose coil pattern. Take your time. A clean coil now means fewer headaches next time you use it.

9. Test It

Once it’s rewound, give the feed mechanism or crank a few gentle spins. Make sure the cable feeds out and retracts smoothly. If it still sticks or catches, stop and recheck for a hidden kink or twist.

10. Store It RightWrap it up properly and store it in a dry place. Avoid hanging it where the cable will bend or twist under its own weight. A coiled, dry snake in a clean case is less likely to tangle the next time you use it.

When to Call a Pro

If your snake is severely kinked, bent, or won’t come out at all, it might be time to let a plumber handle it. Sometimes the tangle inside the drum is just too tight, and forcing it further could damage the machine—or your pipes.

Final Thoughts

A tangled drain snake can feel like a total DIY defeat—but with a little patience and the right technique, you can fix it and get back to clearing your drains. Remember, most tangles happen from rushing or skipping cleanup. Take your time, treat your tools well, and they’ll serve you longer.

Got a tangled mess you’re struggling with? Drop your questions in the comments—or reach out. I’ve untangled more of these than I can count, and I’m happy to help.