Toilet snakes, or plumbing augers, are a popular tool used to unclog toilet pipes and drains. They are often successful in clearing out blockages or debris that builds up in a toilet or sink.
Toilet snakes are inserted directly into the toilet’s drain opening, and then manipulated in a back and forth motion to break up the clog. The snake is then pulled back out, hopefully taking the clog along with it.
This is a relatively easy and cost-effective way to clear out a clog.
However, the effectiveness of a toilet snake ultimately depend on the type of clog you’re dealing with. A toilet snake can be effective in clearing out hair, food scraps, and other debris that has become lodged in a drain.
It tends to be less effective with more solid objects, such as a toy that has been flushed down the toilet.
Toilet snakes are great for clearing out basic clogs. However, if the clog is harder than the average blockage, it’s best to call in a professional plumber. Toilet snakes are not designed to handle more serious clogs, such as roots or other pipes becoming damaged.
In those cases, it’s better to call in professional help.
Do toilet snakes work?
Yes, toilet snakes do work. A toilet snake is a commonly used device for clearing clogged or blocked pipes. It is a metal or plastic mechanism with a long, flexible coil at the end that can be inserted down the toilet drain or into a sink.
The coil, or snake, is manipulated from the top of the pipe, and can often reach further down the pipe and retrieve whatever might be blocking it. This tool can be used to remove a variety of blockages, ranging from the accumulation of organic material such as hair and toilet paper, to large objects such as toys and jewelry.
All that is needed is to insert the snake into the pipe, rotate it around and push it down until it has reached the clog and retrieve whatever blocking the path.
Does toilet snake work better than plunger?
It depends on the source and severity of your clog. Generally speaking, a plunger is good for clearing simple blockages, while a toilet snake (a. k. a. an auger) is best for removing tougher clogs that are deeper in the line.
A plunger works best on surface-level clogs and works by using suction to push air and water into the pipe and then break up the blockage. A toilet snake is better for serious clogs, such as a larger object that is too large for a plunger.
It works by pushing a rotating cable head through the pipe to break up and remove the blockage. So, it really comes down to what you’re dealing with. If it’s a simple clog, a plunger may do the trick.
But, if it’s a tougher clog, a toilet snake would work better.
Do snakes work for clogged toilets?
No, snakes do not work for clogged toilets. While they can be used to clear minor clogs, they are not recommended for clearing a clogged toilet. Snakes are best-suited for clearing sink and shower drains, but are not effective tools to use on toilets.
Clogs in toilets can be created by large items, such as toys or feminine hygiene products, or by a buildup of hard-to-break-down paper, allowing the water to no longer flow through the pipes and resulting in a clogged toilet.
To unclog a toilet, it’s recommended to reach out to a sewer and drain cleaning professional who can use a more powerful device, such as a drum auger, which can clear a clog in a toilet more efficiently than a snake.
Should you ever snake a toilet?
No, you should never snake a toilet. Snaking a toilet can push debris further into the line and create a larger problem. If a toilet is clogged, it’s best to call a professional plumber to use specialized plumbing equipment, such as a hook and auger, to inspect and clear the line.
Professional plumbers are equipped with the proper knowledge and supplies to safely diagnose and repair any clogged toilet, as well as diagnose and repair in-depth plumbing problems.
How often do snakes end up in toilets?
Given that snakes are not attracted to toilets, the odds of coming across a snake in one are quite slim. Snakes prefer natural habitats such as wooded areas, mountains, and meadows. But, there are reports of snakes in toilets from time to time.
For example, stories of snakes in toilets have been reported in various parts of the world, including India, China, and Australia.
In most cases, these toilets snake encounters happen when a wild snake has crawled its way through an open window, a hole in the wall, or a loose pipe. Additionally,if someone has an exotic pet snake, it is possible that they may have mistakenly escaped into a toilet by mistake.
Overall, snakes in toilets are rare occurrences, and they are surprising and scary when they do happen. If you do come across a snake in the toilet, it is best to contact a specialist or wildlife official immediately, as it is not safe to try to remove the snake yourself.
Can snakes get into your house through the toilet?
No, snakes cannot get into your house through the toilet. While it may seem like an easy path of entry, snakes are unable to access your home through the plumbing because they cannot swim or navigate the narrow, horizontal pipes.
Plumbing pipes in most households are not large enough, deep enough or wide enough for a snake to enter or fit through. Snakes may slither into your area of the house through other small entry points, however, such as torn screens, cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes or vents, or other small openings.
What size gap can a snake fit through?
It is difficult to give an exact answer to this question, as the size of gap a snake can fit through will depend on many factors. Some of these factors can include the variety of the snake (different snake species can come in many different shapes and sizes) as well as the age and health of an individual snake.
As a general rule of thumb, however, it is said that a snake can fit through an opening as small as the radius of its body, meaning a snake that is 2 cm in diameter can traverse a hole just 2 cm in diameter.
That being said, some snakes can be quite flexible and can squeeze through even smaller spaces. For example, a burrowing snake like a king snake can fit through their tunnels which can be as small as 4mm in diameter.
Generally, it can be safely said that most snakes can fit through an opening as small as their body width and potentially even smaller with some degree of flexibility.
Can you run a plumbers snake down a toilet?
Yes, you can run a plumbers snake down a toilet. A plumbers snake, or drain auger, is a long, flexible metal tool with a handle at one end and a rotating tip on the other end. It is primarily used to clear out clogs or blockages in pipes and drains, including toilets.
To use the snake, the tip is inserted into the toilet drain and rotated while pushed through the pipe. As it travels down the pipe, it cuts through the clog, allowing whatever was causing the blockage to be flushed away through the pipe.
The snake should be used with caution and not forced into the pipe as it can damage the plumbing and create bigger problems.
Will mothballs keep snakes away?
Mothballs are not an effective or safe way to repel snakes. While some people might suggest putting mothballs in an area to keep snakes away, this practice has not been proven to be effective. In addition, the use of mothballs could be dangerous for both people and animals.
Mothballs contain naphthalene and/or paradichlorobenzene, both of which are toxic chemicals that can cause adverse health effects with prolonged exposure. It can also contaminate soil and water, which can harm nearby wildlife and present risks to people who use the product in an incorrect manner.
An effective snake deterrent is to make sure your yard is not a good habitat for snakes. This means removing sources of food, water, and shelter that may attract them. Make sure trash is picked up and sealed in containers, remove any piles of debris, fill in any animal burrows, and trim back any overgrown grass or brush.
Additionally, applying natural predator urine around your property can also help discourage snakes and other small pests.
What surface can snakes not move on?
Snakes are naturally adapted to move on land, however, they cannot typically move on surfaces that are too slippery or too loose. Some examples of surfaces that snakes generally cannot move on effectively are smooth surfaces like glass and metal, as well as unconsolidated surfaces like sand and gravel.
On surfaces like these, the snake’s scales can easily slip apart, making it difficult for them to traverse. Certain types of snakes, such as the burrowing python, may be able to move on these types of surfaces more effectively, as they have adapted their locomotion to better suit them.
However, most snakes will be limited in their movement and require a solid, gripping surface, like that of soil or concrete, in order to move more freely.
What size mesh keeps snakes out?
In order to keep snakes out of an area, most experts recommend using a mesh size of 1/4-inch or smaller. Any openings in the mesh should be too small for the snake to get through, while still allowing insects, plants, and other critters to pass freely.
Also, if you are attempting to keep a particular species of snake out, be sure to check the appropriate size before purchasing, as snakes come in various sizes. Along with the mesh size, be sure to create a strong seal between the ground and the mesh, sealing any tiny crevices or potential entry points a snake may attempt to squeeze through.
When creating barriers such as snake fencing, it is always recommended to use hardware cloth or other heavy-duty materials to ensure long-term durability and effectiveness.
Can a snake grow back if cut in half?
No, snakes cannot grow back if cut in half. This is because snakes rely on their internal organs such as the heart, lungs, and esophagus to survive, and when a snake is cut in half, these organs are so severely damaged that the snake has no chance of survival.
Further, due to the reptilian unique process of healing known as “regeneration”, which is slow and inefficient, a snake will not able to regenerate itself if cut in half.
Also, when snakes are cut in half, the parts of the body will quickly start to die since they do not have a direct source of oxygen like humans do. The tissues and other organs in a snake’s body eventually rot and the snake dies.
Therefore, a snake cannot grow back if cut in half.
When should I snake my toilet?
You should snake your toilet when you notice that the water is filling up too close to the toilet rim but is not reaching the overflow tube, a plunger isn’t effective in fixing the issue and water starts backing up into the bathtub or shower.
You may also need to snake it if you notice a foul odor coming from it or if it frequently clogs.
If you are new to snaking your toilet, it is important to make sure you have the proper snake for the job. Toilet snakes are typically made from metal and made to be thin enough to fit down the toilet’s drain.
Once you have your snake ready, start by slowly and gently pushing it down the drain for about four feet or until you no longer feel resistance. Once you feel resistance, move the snake around in a snake-like motion until the drain begins to open.
If you are still having issues, you may need to call a professional plumber to come in and snake your toilet. In most cases, they will either use a power auger or a hydraulic snake to clear out any clogs.
It is not recommended to use chemical drain cleaners as these can cause more damage than they are meant to fix and could also damage your sink, pipes, or septic tank system.
Is it embarrassing to clog a toilet?
It can definitely be embarrassing to clog a toilet. It can be especially embarrassing if it is in a public or shared space as it is not only you who will have to clean it up, but also those around you.
In addition, if it is in a shared space, there is the potential to be judged or even laughed at by those around you. It might be awkward to explain the situation. On the other hand, if the clog is in your own home, it might only be a little embarrassing as you are in charge of finding a solution, and no one else has to know.