Manually snaking a toilet using a closet auger (also known as a toilet snake) is a relatively simple process. To begin, place a bucket under the toilet to catch the sewage that may be clogged in the toilet.
Next, remove the toilet tank lid and check to see if the water supply line is at its lowest point. If it is not, adjust the valve or loosen the coupling nut to lower the water supply. Disconnect the water supply line from the base of the toilet and set aside.
Next, insert the closet auger wire directly into the toilet drain at an angle until you feel some resistance. Then, slowly crank the handle of the auger and push it further into the toilet; turn it in a clockwise direction until you feel resistance again.
Keep cranking the auger slowly and pushing more wire into the toilet until it is removed. Remove the auger wire and check the bowl for any obstructions.
If there are still clogs blocking the flow of water, flush the toilet to clear it. If the flow of water is still blocked, repeat the process until the clog has been removed. Once the clog has been cleared, reattach the water supply to the base of the toilet.
Finally, flush the toilet again to check that the clog has been completely removed.
Can you run a snake down a clogged toilet?
No, it is not recommended to put a snake down a clogged toilet. Snakes can be used to clear out clogs, but they’re more typically used to clear out drain lines in sinks, tubs, and showers. Plunging is a better option for clearing a clogged toilet, and if that doesn’t work, then you should call a plumber to use an auger or electric eel to snaking the toilet.
Can you snake through a toilet?
No, you cannot snake through a toilet. A snake is a type of flexible rod made up of several smaller individual rods connected together to form a bendable instrument which can be used to remove blockages from pipes, drains, and plumbing fixtures.
Snaking through a toilet is impossible as the snakes diameter is not wide enough to navigate the curved pipes and narrow diameter of the toilet bowls u-bend trap. Furthermore, snaking is not a suitable tool for unclogging a toilet, as the snake would have to pass through the trap before reaching the clog.
In order for that to happen, the water would have to be drained and emptied, which is not an easy task. Finally, the snake would only be able to reach a certain distance anyway, and the source of the blockage could be much further than the reach of the snake.
How do you unclog a stubborn toilet?
Unclogging a stubborn toilet can be frustrating and time consuming, but it is possible! The most straightforward way to unclog the toilet is to start with the plunger. Begin by partially filling the bowl with hot water, then place the plunger over the opening of the drain and plunge vigorously several times.
The pressure from the plunger should help to break up the clog and unclog the toilet. If this doesn’t work, try using a toilet auger. A toilet auger is a flexible, long cable with a curved tip that is designed to push through clogs, snake into tight spaces, and break up any debris blocking the pipe.
Start by turning the auger’s crank to extend the cable into the drain and rotate it to help break up the clog. If this is unsuccessful, you may need to use a mixture of hot water and dish soap to dissolve the clog.
Boil a large pot of water, and pour enough hot water into the toilet to cover the clog. After a few minutes, add a couple of tablespoons of dish soap to the water and let it sit for another few minutes.
If all else fails a Plumber may have to be called to assess the situation and professionally unclog the toilet for you.
How do you unclog a toilet that is clogged with toilet paper?
If a toilet is clogged with toilet paper, the best approach is to start with a plunger. A toilet plunger is specifically designed to fit into the base of the bowl and create a tight seal to move the blockage.
To use the plunger, fill the bowl with some water and then plunge vigorously a few times. If this does not clear the blockage, you can try a toilet auger, or plumbing snake. The auger is a long, flexible coil that is fed into the drain to dislodge the blockage.
Additionally, you can also try a mix of hot water and dish soap. This can help to break down anything that is stuck in the drain. If the toilet is still clogged after attempting these methods, it is best to contact a plumber.
What are the chances of a snake going up your toilet?
The chances of a snake going up your toilet are very slim, as it would require the snake to swim up your plumbing system and find its way through all of the various pipes and obstacles. Snakes generally do not have the ability to climb vertically up pipes, as the walls are typically too slippery and the snake would not have much to grip onto.
The only way a snake would be able to get up the pipes is if it was deposited or deliberately placed in it by a person or another animal, or if the piping was not properly sealed or blocked at the lower end, allowing the snake to possibly swim sideways up the pipe.
In addition, if a snake was to make its way up the plumbing system, it likely would not be able to make it to the toilet due to the complexity of plumbing systems, meaning it could easily get stuck and drown in other sections of the piping.
To sum it up, although not impossible, the chances of a snake going up your toilet are still very slim.
What is the snake to unclog a toilet?
The snake to unclog a toilet is a specially designed plumbing tool that is used to clear blockages from pipes and drains. It consists of a coiled metal wire attached to a handle. When inserted into the drain/pipe, the snake is turned and pushed into the clog.
The wire then penetrates the blockage and physically pushes it out, allowing the water to flow properly. To use a snake, it should be inserted as far as possible into the clog and slowly but steadily turned and pushed into the blockage until it is completely cleared.
Depending on the severity of the clog and how deep it runs, it may take more than one attempt with the snake to effectively clear the obstruction. After each attempt, the snake should be removed and the water checked to make sure the blockage is gone.
If it isn’t, it should be re-inserted and the process should be repeated until the clog has been fully removed.
Why won’t my toilet unclog with a plunger?
When your toilet is clogged and a plunger is not helping resolve the issue, it’s likely that the blockage is deeper in the plumbing system. There could be a number of things causing the clog, such as a damaged or broken pipe, a foreign object that’s too large to be pushed through, or a sewer line that’s been damaged by tree roots or debris.
In any of these cases, a plunger won’t be able to unclog the toilet, as the clog is too far down in the plumbing. In such cases, the best remedy is to call a plumbing professional to inspect the toilet and diagnose the cause of the clog.
If a plunger isn’t working, it’s advisable to not use any chemical drain cleaners and contact a plumber instead as these chemicals can be damaging to your pipes and may not always solve the issue.
Do you have to remove the toilet to snake it?
No, it is not necessary to remove a toilet to snake it. The process can generally be carried out without having to take the toilet out. The snake is inserted into the drain either through the floor or the toilet’s hole.
Depending on the problem, the snake may need to be inserted more than once and in particular directions until the blockage is cleared. In some cases the toilet may need to be removed if it is cracked or leaking.
However, this is usually not necessary for basic blockages.
How often do snakes end up in toilets?
Snakes in toilets are relatively rare and largely anecdotal events. While there are reports of snakes in toilets, it is difficult to quantify how often they occur. Various factors, including the size of the snake, must be taken into account that can make it hard to access data on how often such events occur.
For the most part, snakes do not actively seek out toilets, and plumbing in houses can prove difficult even for small snakes to navigate. It is likely only when a snake is already in a home that it could find its way into a toilet; this could occur as the snake looks for a place to rest or hides from a perceived threat.
It is also possible for snakes to be flushed down toilets from other areas but this is a less common occurrence.
Why won’t my snake go down the toilet?
Snakes are designed to live and hunt in certain environments and conditions, such as woods, branches, and other areas that they can hide in. The toilet is not a natural habitat for snakes and they are not adapted to these kinds of conditions.
The toilet is a small, enclosed space with little to no room to move, the temperature and humidity may be different from what the snake is used to, and there are no sources of food or prey, making it unappealing to a snake.
Snakes also have sensitive skin and can be easily injured or killed in the harsh conditions of a toilet. Moreover, the flushing water in toilets can be deadly for a snake and make them sick. So, in short, the toilet is not a suitable place for a snake to live, and it is not advised to try and force a snake down the toilet.
When should you snake a toilet?
When you should use a toilet snake depends on the issue you are experiencing. If your toilet is clogged, but still draining slow, a toilet snake could be helpful. To avoid further buildup in the drain, it would be best to snake it at the first sign of a clog.
If you have an old or weak toilet, where a clog can’t be dislodged by plunging, or when a plunger alone isn’t enough to dislodge the clog, you should consider snaking the toilet. If you find that the clog is recurring, or if you notice a musty smell coming from the toilet, snaking the toilet once more is an efficient way to end the issue.
What does snake droppings look like?
Snake droppings generally have a cylindrical shape and are usually dark in color. They range from a dark brown or black to even shades of green. The size of snake droppings vary depending on the type of snake and how recently it has eaten.
Generally, droppings from larger snakes are larger, while those from smaller snakes are smaller. When fresh, snake droppings are moist and malleable, but with age they become hard and dry. They may also leave a small amount of residue.
The consistency of the droppings can help identify the type of snake they came from. If a snake has consumed a lot of bones and has eaten larger prey, then the dropping will be larger in size and have more solid components.
What can I use instead of a toilet snake?
You can use a wire hanger or a plumbing auger instead of a toilet snake. A wire hanger can be bent and formed into a hook to help remove any clogged items from the toilet. A plumbing auger is a tool that is specifically designed to snake the toilet and break up clogs.
It looks like a long metal snake and should have a handle and crank that can be turned to help push it through. It’s important to remember to be careful when attempting to unclog a toilet as you don’t want to damage any of the pipes in the process.
Another great thing to try is using chemical drain cleaners, such as a bleach and hot water solution. This method can help break up clogs and dissolve any hard matter that’s jammed in the pipes.
How much does a plumber charge to run a snake?
The cost of running a snake to unclog a drain will depend largely on the type of plumbing services needed, the location, and other factors. Generally, most plumbers charge an hourly rate to run a snake, with prices ranging from $50 to $100 per hour.
This cost may increase if the plumber finds it necessary to undertake further work such as drain repair, or to locate the source of the blockage. If a plumber indicates that they need to snake a line, ask them to provide a detailed quote before they start any work.
Prices can also vary considerably depending on the size of the job and whether any additional equipment will be needed.