There are different types of electric drain cleaners. Some are rechargeable, rather than plugged into a wall, which saves you from dragging an electric cable into the shower or around the garden. Electric drain cleaners, or drain snakes, feature a motor and a reel of cable. The machine won’t do you much good if you don’t have enough cable. Most units feature a safety foot pedal, a forward/reverse switch and an assortment of bits. The cable is fed into the drain and the rotating motion breaks through blockages, which is then washed away. However, if the drain has collapsed or there is any other structural damage, it’s time to call a professional.