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how do you use a snake to unclog a toilet

by Neha Erdman Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  1. Place the end of the snake into the toilet. Unfurl the snake and lower the bulbous metal end into the toilet bowl.
  2. Turn the crank handle clockwise. Once the snake is in position, start steadily rotating the handle on the opposite end.
  3. Feel around for the clog in the pipes. If you notice the snake slowing down or coming to a stop, it may have encountered resistance.
  4. Break up or pull out as much of the clog as you can. ...

Part of a video titled How To Use a Toilet Snake Properly - YouTube
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Or you could do it as your twist thing it so you could twist it and push the back and forthMoreOr you could do it as your twist thing it so you could twist it and push the back and forth simultaneously clearing the clog now you might have to do this for 10 or 15 minutes.

Full Answer

How to avoid snakes slithering up your toilet?

Can Snakes Get in Your Toilet From the Drain?

  • Dropping from the Sky. If you think the sewer system connected to your toilet is a closed system, one glance to your roof is all you need to convince yourself ...
  • Slithering From Below. ...
  • Probably Not a Cobra. ...
  • Snake-Proofing Your Toilet. ...

How to unclog a toilet in 7 ways?

Method 2 Method 2 of 7: Making a Drain Cleaner

  1. Heat half a gallon of water. If the toilet tends to clog easily as the result of trying to flush too much waste, using a combination of hot water, ...
  2. Pour 1 cup baking soda and 2 cups vinegar into the toilet. The baking soda and vinegar create a chemical process that help to dissolve clogs.
  3. Pour the hot water into the bowl. ...

More items...

What to do when your toilet won't unclog?

What to Do When Your Toilet Won't Unclog

  • Plunger. While this gadget may look simple, it is the most effective technique to unclog a toilet. ...
  • Baking Soda with Vinegar. If your toilet won't flush and you don't have a plunger, you may use vinegar and baking soda, both of which are non-toxic home cleaners.
  • Dish Soap and Hot Water. ...
  • The serpent. ...
  • Bleach for the Home. ...
  • Make contact with a plumber. ...

When the plunger doesn't work?

If the plunger doesn’t work, a mixture of vinegar and baking soda is another ideal option. These substances are mostly present in the kitchen, but if it is not available, you can head to local store to get one. Once you have them, follow this procedure on how to unclog the flushing toilet with baking soda and vinegar.

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Will a snake unclog a toilet?

To clear a clog in your toilet without a plunger, or if plunging hasn't worked, a toilet snake can help you return to a functioning flush (sigh of relief). To get started, put on a pair of rubber gloves and make sure you've located the water supply in case you need to quickly restrict the water flow.

How do you manually snake a toilet?

1:284:53How to Snake a Toilet: Clear a Toilet Clog - So Easy! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPart protects the porcelain of the toilet from getting scratched by the metal. So the first thingMorePart protects the porcelain of the toilet from getting scratched by the metal. So the first thing you want to do is look back and then set it inside the side of the toilet. So you've got this plastic.

Do you need to remove toilet to snake drain?

The process of using a snake Use of pipe snake machine to snake the toilet drain would require removal of the toilet fixture completely to gain access to the plumbing drain below the toilet.

Can you use a regular snake on a toilet?

Although technically you can use a regular snake (instead of a toilet snake) to unclog a toilet you really should not. The reason being that a regular snake can damage the porcelain of your toilet bowl. A toilet snake (aka toilet auger) is specifically designed to be used on toilets and will not cause any damage.

How do you unblock a badly clogged toilet?

How Do You Unblock a Badly Clogged Toilet?Ways to Unclog Your Toilet.Lubricate the Blockage With Dish Soap.Make a Coat Hanger Snake.Break Up the Clog With Hot Water or Drain Cleaner.Mix Your Own Declogger.Plunge Using a Plastic Bottle.Unblock Your Toilet With Vinegar and Baking Soda.More items...•

What is the difference between a toilet auger and a snake?

Drain snakes work for smaller drains like your kitchen or bathroom sink. Drain augers tackle larger pipes like your toilet or shower drain.

Can a snake ruin a pipe?

Drain Snakes Can Damage Pipes While billed as devices that are easy to use by anyone and everyone, drain snakes can be hard to manage, and if used improperly, can damage pipes. Old pipes in many homes are galvanized, or coated in zinc, which was done to prevent the pipe from rusting or corroding.

How do you unclog a toilet if a snake won't work?

6:1913:01Don't Use Drain Snake in Toilet. Best Way to Unclog Toilet Bowl - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd get all this water out of here hold hold the handle and make sure that all that water goes outMoreAnd get all this water out of here hold hold the handle and make sure that all that water goes out as much as possible.

Is it worth buying a drain snake?

First of all, a drain snake is a good item to keep handy in a home. A basic hand-crank drain snake (a.k.a. a drain auger) is a much better option for getting rid of a minor clog than resorting to chemical drain cleaners. In fact, you should never use these chemicals on your drains!

Can Coke unblock a toilet?

If you are lucky, the easiest way to unclog a toilet is to wait it out simply. Let water dissolve the clog, and try flushing again after several hours. By pouring a caustic soda (coke, for example) into the toilet bowl, you can speed the dissolving process along considerably.

Will a toilet eventually unclog itself?

A clogged toilet will typically unclog itself over time. Most things that clog a toilet are water-soluble which means they will eventually dissolve in the toilet water. When the clog is given enough time to break down, the pressure of a flush should be enough to clear the pipes.

Can a snake damage toilet?

Using the wrong plumber's snake Plumbing snakes (also called drain cables) that are used to unclog sinks can actually scratch your porcelain toilet bowl.

How do you snake a toilet with a hanger?

Simply unwind the hanger so that it's completely straight with the exception of the hook. Then, wrap a small rag around the hook to help prevent any scratches or damage to the porcelain and, while wearing rubber gloves, gently angle the hanger down the drain until you find the clog.

How do you unclog a toilet when a plunger doesn't work?

Vinegar And Baking Soda You'll need a pot of hot water, a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar. Pour the baking soda into your toilet bowl. Then add the vinegar a little bit at a time to avoid overflow. The mixture should start fizzing and bubbling immediately.

How do you unclog a toilet if a snake won't work?

We recommend you add a cup of baking soda to your blocked toilet and wait for some minutes. Next, pour two cups of vinegar slowly into the toilet. Vinegar and baking soda will typically react to form bubbles, so ensure you pour carefully and slowly to prevent the toilet water from overflowing or splashing.

Why put a red cup under toilet seat at night?

1:068:07Don't Go Inside If You See a Red Cup Under Toilet Seat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBetter choose another booth it means there's no toilet paper in this one the red cup is a frequentMoreBetter choose another booth it means there's no toilet paper in this one the red cup is a frequent replacement for a toilet paper hub which is also put under the seat for the same. Reason.

Expert Q&A

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Tips

Turn off the water to the toilet or close the flapper inside the tank to keep the water from overflowing if you've just discovered the clog. [16]

Warnings

Toilets are dirty places. Always be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after working on a clogged toilet.

About This Article

This article was co-authored by James Schuelke. James Schuelke, along with his twin brother David, is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts, a licensed plumbing, leak detection, and mold inspection company based in Los Angeles, California.

Since I will be Using a snake, can I completely forget about plunging?

No, we don’t want to completely ignore our good old plunger as yet. Because if the water seems to drain properly after Some plunging activity, that’s great and that means plunging alone has worked for this job. This is the main reason I do not want you to ignore the plunger completely.

How to get the best snake for our toilet job?

Just walk to the nearest hardware store and ask for a plumber’s snake. This is where it could get a little bit trickier than going down to the store and asking for a plunger. The problem is that some people would freak out if you say that you need a snake and might assume you are trying to prank them, thinking that you are looking for a real snake.

How to unclog a toilet with a snake by turning it rapidly both ways

Now that you have selected the right snake, it’s time to start unclogging the toilet with it. Stick the snake right into the toilet where you put the plastic side into the hole.

How To Unclog Toilet Using A Snake

First of all you are probably wondering what a snake is and why should you start using it. It is also known as toilet auger, and sometimes even a closet auger, found alongside the old fashion term for toilet; water closet. It is great for removing clogs deep within the narrow pipes.

2. Crank The Handle To Snake The Cable Into The Clog

The toilet auger or the snake works by rotating the cable so it can move down the drain in a screwing motion. Most clogs happen in the first section of the drain, in the drain trap configuration.

Toilet still clogged?

If you have tried using the toilet snake and a plunger yet the clog will still not budge you will need to call a professional plumber. Our team at CJ Drain and Plumbing are only a call away. We give upfront pricing with full communication before we begin any task and a 24/hr emergency services for residential and commercial establishments.

How to make a toilet drain with an electric snake?

Start with your electric snake. Insert the head of the auger into the toilet drain until the elbow portion is almost completely inside. Then, activate your electric snake so that the coil starts moving through the drain. Don’t worry if you feel a bit of resistance as this is completely normal. 4.

What is a toilet snake?

A toilet auger or toilet snake is a tool, typically made out of metal, consisting of an auger, a shaft, and a crank handle. Unlike a regular toilet plunger, a toilet auger can maneuver through the drain system of a toilet in order to get rid of the clog head on. Usually, people use augers when all the other de-clogging techniques have failed.

How to get rid of a clogged toilet?

About 90% of the time, toilet clogs can be remedied using a toilet plunger. The suctioning of a toilet plunger will usually free the clog from the toilet’s drain. Other clogs take a bit more of elbow grease, but still become unstuck with enough effort using the plunger.

How does an electric snake work?

The user can simply press a button to make the “snake” move forward or backward while inside the toilet drain.

How to get rid of toilet water?

Before doing anything with your toilet, it’s best to prepare the area in your bathroom where you’ll be doing the dirty work. Lay down some rags or newspapers around the toilet, a.k.a. “The splash zone” so that toilet water won’t end up all over your bathroom floor.

Why do toilets clog?

The most common cause of household toilet clogs is the accumulation of debris, particularly debris that shouldn’t be in the toilet in the first place. This includes wet wipes, dental floss, tampons, sanitary napkins, and any other toiletries that don’t disintegrate in the toilet water.

What are some examples of toilet clogs?

Examples are toys, soap bars, bottles, pieces of plastic, and other unflushable items. Plumbing problems. Other times, it may be the plumbing itself that’s having problems and causing your toilet to be clogged. Unfortunately, in these cases, you would need to call in a professional to diagnose and repair the problem.

How to snake a toilet with a snake?

Step 1: Manually feed the head of the snake into the pipe, slowly lowering it 8 to 12 inches into the pipe at a time, then spin the handle clockwise. Rotate the handle at a steady pace. Step 2: Eventually, you will hit an obstacle. This could be the blockage or a turn in the pipe.

How do I use a drain snake?

Preparing to Use Drain Snakes. Step 1: Check under your sink and flush the toilet. Pay attention to how well the water drains from both areas. Most bathroom sinks will have a U-shaped pipe (sink trap) located under the sink. A modern sink trap has a clean-out plug for convenience.

What to do when a drain snake doesn't work?

What to Do When a Drain Snake Does Not Work. If you've followed these steps and you still have a blockage, try snaking the sink or toilet again . However, if further snaking does not resolve the problem, you may need to call in a professional plumber.

How do I clean out a sink trap?

A modern sink trap has a clean-out plug for convenience. Step 2: Place the bucket underneath the sink and keep the rags ready as water may spill out. Step 3: For a clean-out plug, use adjustable pliers to turn it clockwise to remove the plug.

How much does a drain snake cost?

You can buy a drain snake from most hardware stores, and it costs between $20 to $50. However, it will cost significantly more to buy a drain auger, which is what plumbers use.

Can you use a snake to unclog a toilet?

Not yet. Instead, you can try using a drain or plumbing snake to remove the blockage. Drain snakes are also known as drain augers, which are tools for unclogging toilets and drains.

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1.How to Unclog a Toilet With a Drain Snake - Family …

Url:https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-unclog-a-toilet-with-a-drain-snake/

28 hours ago  · Use one hand to hold the toilet snake in place and use the other hand to turn the handle in the a cranking motion. To get the auger or snake all the way down you need to reverse the direction you are cranking the handle a couple times. Once you have pushed the cable through the clog, crank the handle backwards retracting the cable backwards.

2.How to Snake a Toilet: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Url:https://www.wikihow.com/Snake-a-Toilet

24 hours ago Pour a bit of regular drain cleaner in the toilet and let it sit for about fifteen minutes. 3. Start with your electric snake. Insert the head of the auger into the toilet drain until the elbow portion is almost completely inside. Then, activate your electric snake so that the coil starts moving through the drain.

3.How To Use a Toilet Snake Properly | Clogged Blocked …

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbVuF98g-dE

28 hours ago Learn how to snake a toilet by using a drain snake. It is easy to unclog your toilet using these simple steps. ...

4.How To Unclog A Toilet With A Snake | Clogged Toilet …

Url:https://yourproplumber.com/how-to-unclog-a-toilet-with-a-snake/

14 hours ago A drain snake is not the proper tool for a toilet. A toilet auger is a better choice. The bend at the end of the rod gets the auger part where it needs to start, hopefully without scratching the porcelain surface. A properly used toilet plunger is the first and best choice to unclog a toilet.

5.How To Unclog Toilet With A Snake CJ Drain & Plumbing

Url:https://cjdrain.com/how-to-unclog-toilet-with-a-snake/

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7.How to Unclog a Toilet with an Electric Snake

Url:https://amarcoplumbing.com/unclog-toilet-with-electric-snake/

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9.How To Unclog A Toilet - YouTube

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