This is a hammer 10/13/11

THIS IS A HAMMER

A Plumber’s Snake? What’s That?

Q: One thing my uncle recommended when I moved into my recently purchased house is something called a plumber’s snake. Just what is that? I presume it’s for getting into pipes or something. — Tammy in Des Moines, Iowa

A: You’re right, Tammy, it does have something to do with getting into pipes. Specifically, a plumber’s snake — more professionally known as a hand auger — is a handheld tool used for clearing clogs in drain lines. It consists of a flexible tube with a spring coil on one end, attached to a hand crank at the other end. The tube is i...