No, a toilet auger and a snake are not the same. A toilet auger is a specialized tool designed to remove clogs in toilet drains. It looks like a long, slim stick with a crank at one end and a bent wire loop at the other end.
The loop fits into the toilet drain and is able to grab obstructions, which can then be easily removed.
A snake, on the other hand, is more of a general purpose drain clearing tool, and can be used with a variety of pipes and drains. It has a long, coiled cable with a sharp head that can be inserted into the pipe where it rotates and cuts through any obstructions before being pulled out.
While snakes are effective at clearing general clogs, they are not as effective in toilet drains as they can’t reach into all the crevices as effectively as a toilet auger can.
Can I use a plumbing snake on a toilet?
Yes, you can use a plumbing snake on a toilet but you should understand the process before attempting it. A plumbing snake, also known as a auger, is a plumbing tool used to unclog drains, pipes and toilets by breaking up obstructions such as hair and grease.
Before getting started, you should make sure the water supply to the toilet is shut off. Then you will need to flush the toilet to empty the bowl, and cover the floor so that any possible messes will be contained.
Insert the plumbing snake into the toilet and push the auger cable down into the trap. You may need to hold the pipe with one hand to keep it from moving. A good idea is to go slowly and carefully avoiding using excessive force.
Keep turning the snake so that it slices through the blockage. Once the auger has gone as far down as it can go without cracking the bowl, turn the auger handle in the opposite direction to retrieve it.
Once the snake is back out, flush the toilet and wait to see if the blockage has been removed. If not, try again with the plumbing snake before calling a plumber.
Can a toilet auger damage your toilet?
Yes, a toilet auger can potentially damage your toilet. Toilet augers are designed to grasp and break up the clog, making the clog easier to flush or remove. However, if the clog is unusually hard or if the auger is pushed too forcefully, the auger’s metal cable or twisted head can scratch or even break the porcelain.
Additionally, the auger might get stuck between the bowl and the drain, requiring forceful manipulation to remove it, which could cause damage. For all of these reasons, it’s important to use caution when using a toilet auger and to contact a plumber if you are uncertain how to use the tool safely.
What kind of auger do you use for a toilet?
The kind of auger you use for a toilet is a closet auger. It is specifically designed to clean out a toilet’s drain and remove any clogs that may be present. Closet augers are made with lengthier and more flexible rods that are able to access and unclog the tighter corners and bends in a toilet’s drainpipe.
The auger also has a curved, J-shaped head that is able to push past the toilet’s trap, giving it access to deeper clogs that may be located further down the pipe. Additionally, there is an auger handle that allows the user to manually drive the cable down the drainpipe and a crank handle that handles the retraction of the cable back up the pipe once the clog has been cleared.
What is the snake to unclog a toilet?
The snake, also known as a plumbing snake, is a long and flexible metal auger that is used to unclog toilets and other drains. It is inserted into the drain pipe and then ‘snaked’ through the pipes to break up any clogs that may be blocking the flow of water.
The auger is available in different sizes and lengths depending on the size of the drain and the location of the clog. In addition to unclogging a toilet, it can be used to remove debris from the pipes that can cause slow draining.
It is recommended to use a professional to tackle any sort of blockage that has developed with a toilet or any other drain, as it can be difficult to effectively use the snake on your own.
Can you snake a toilet with a regular snake?
Yes, although a regular snake is typically only long enough to snake a toilet, it is possible. Snaking a toilet involves inserting the end of the snake into the toilet drain and pushing it all the way through the pipe and into the sewer line.
As you push the snake, the auger will break apart clogs and clear any obstructions. If a regular snake does not do the job, then you may need to use an extension snake, which will allow you to reach the clog further down the pipeline.
If the clog is still too far to reach, then you may need to call a plumbing professional to use a more powerful snake to clear the clog.
What size drain snake do I need for a toilet?
When choosing the size of snake for unclogging your toilet, the key is to use the right kind of auger for the job. If you need to unclog a clog that is located within the straight, vertical portion of your toilet’s drain pipe, then you will need an auger that is made for toilets.
Toilet augers are thinner and shorter than regular drain augers and designed to work in the upper portion of the drain line. You will want to look for an auger with a 3/8-inch diameter shaft and a 6-foot working length when selecting a snake for your toilet drain.
Be sure to also check your local plumbing repair store to make sure that the auger is specifically designed to unclog toilets, or a professional plumber might be necessary.
How do you snake a bathroom in a toilet?
Snaking a bathroom in a toilet can be a tricky process, so it’s best to talk to a professional plumber if you are in over your head. The process of snaking a bathroom toilet involves locating the toilet’s clean-out plug, normally located behind and below the toilet, to access the underside of the toilet and access the drainpipe.
Once the plug is removed, you can use a plumbing snake to try and remove whatever is blocking the drain. If the snake doesn’t work, you may need to remove the toilet in order to access the blocked pipe and see if you can clear it yourself.
Depending on where the blockage is, you may need to use a saw to cut through the blocked area to get your snake through. Once you’ve snaked the clog, use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up any remaining debris, and then replace any parts of the toilet you took out in the process.
Is it safe to use a toilet auger?
Yes, it is generally safe to use a toilet auger as long as it is used correctly and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn. Toilet augers are plumbing tools that are designed to unblock toilets by pushing past any obstructions in the toilet bowl or drainpipe.
They are not inherently unsafe to use, but the user should take precautions to reduce the risk of injury. This includes wearing safety glasses, gloves, and other protective equipment, such as steel-toed boots if appropriate.
Additionally, users should also be sure to read and follow the instructions provided with the tool and adhere to any local regulations and safety guidelines. Following these safety measures will help to ensure that the auger is used correctly and safely.
How do you not scratch toilet with auger?
To avoid scratching the toilet when using an auger, it is important to use the correct size auger for the toilet being serviced. If the auger is too small, it may cause scratching and can even crack the porcelain.
It is also important to be careful when guiding the auger or snake through the toilet, as an overexcited motion or an improper angle may also cause scratches. Additionally, if the auger has outside screws, handles or any other protruding parts it can result in scratches when passed through the toilet trap.
Therefore, it is best to ensure that these parts are kept at a distance from the surface. To further protect the toilet, it is recommended to place a soft material such as a towel beneath the toilet.
This will create a cushion that can help prevent potential scratches when the auger is being inserted and manipulated.
What can I use instead of a toilet auger?
One possible alternative to using a toilet auger is a straightened wire coat hanger. You can unbend the hanger and use it to remove any blockages or debris causing the clog in the toilet. Begin by pushing the wire towards the opening at the bottom of the toilet bowl and gently pushing it around until it breaks up the blockage.
Be sure to be careful when doing this, as excessive force could damage the pipe. If the clog persists, then you may want to try using a handheld plunger or a cup plunger to break it up. If these don’t work either, then you should call a plumber to assist in resolving the problem.
Can a drain snake make a clog worse?
Yes, it is possible for a drain snake to make a clog worse. A drain snake is a long, flexible metal tool used to clean and clear out clogged pipes. When inserted, it can cut through blockages or tangled masses of hair and other debris.
However, improper or overuse of the device can cause further damage and actually push the clog further down the drain, making it harder to retrieve. In some cases, the use of a drain snake can cause a cleanout plug to be pushed down, making the pipe inaccessible and requiring more involved repair.
It’s also possible for the snake to break apart a clog and instead is scattered throughout the pipes, making it even more difficult to remove. Therefore, it’s important to be careful and to seek advice of a professional plumber when using a drain snake to clear a clog.
Why is my toilet still clogged after snaking?
The first possible reason is that the snake may not have been pushed far enough into the clog to effectively clear it. Additionally, if the clog or blockage is too hard, the snake may not be able to cut through or may get stuck inside the pipe.
It is also possible that the clog is too large and the snake may not be an effective tool in this instance. The wrong size of snake may also be difficult to push through the pipe and may not be able to break through the clog.
If the pipe is too narrow or too curved, the snake may also not be able to move through the pipe. Finally, if there is more than one blockage in the pipe, the snake may only be able to push some of the debris further into the pipe, but not necessarily be able to make it come out the other side.
If this is the case, you may need to snake the pipe multiple times or consider hiring a plumber to help with the issue.
What happens if toilet auger doesn’t work?
If a toilet auger doesn’t work, there are a couple of different steps you can take to try and fix the problem. The first step is to use a wet/dry vacuum to remove any water or debris that might be clogging the pipe.
If this doesn’t work, then you can try using a drain snake to push through the clog. You could also use a plunger to force water and air up and down the pipes in order to dislodge the clog. If these methods fail, then you may need to call a plumber for professional help.
Professional plumbers will be able to use special tools that are specifically designed to help unclog toilets.
What happens when a toilet is not properly vented?
When a toilet is not properly vented, it can lead to some serious problems. The most common symptom is the gurgling sound that may be heard when the toilet is flushed. This sound is caused by the air trapped in the system due to the lack of a proper vent, which results in air pressure build-up that causes the water to gurgle and bubbles around the toilet itself.
The lack of a proper vent also prevents the pressure that’s created when the toilet is flushed from being released. This means that the water in the toilet bowl can’t empty as quickly as it should, leaving wastewater inside the bowl for a longer duration of time.
In addition, it can cause wastewater to backflow into the bowl from the sewer line. This is a real health hazard since the wastewater can contain harmful bacteria and other contaminants.
The toilet can also struggle to refill from the water supply line, since the lack of a vent causes a negative pressure in the drain line. This issue can be resolved by ensuring that the overflow pipe is connected to the vent and that the vent is properly sized for the fixture.
It is also important to install a backflow preventer to ensure that wastewater can’t enter into the water supply line.
Failure to properly vent can cause water damage to the walls and floors around the fixture, and can even lead to mold growth. To prevent this, it is important to fix any venting issues as soon as they are identified.