Wiktor Wise
If you have a stubborn toilet clog that won't budge with a plunger, you may need to use a plumbing snake, also known as a toilet snake or auger. This tool is designed to break up and remove clogs in narrow pipes. Before using a plumbing snake, it's important to take precautions such as laying down towels to catch any splashes and wearing rubber gloves to protect your hands. You should also turn off the water supply to the toilet to prevent overflow. Once you've prepared the area, you can insert the curved section of the snake into the toilet drain and push it down towards the blockage while rotating the handle clockwise. If you're using a manual crank, you may need to stop and adjust the snake's position to navigate curves in the pipe. When you reach the clog, rotate the handle counterclockwise to dislodge it, then retract the snake while continuing to rotate. Finally, flush the toilet to ensure the clog has been cleared.
Characteristics and Values Table for Unclogging a Toilet with an Electric Snake
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Snake | Electric/Power Auger Snake |
| Snake Design | Wire coil with a pointed, screw-like tip, usually coated in nylon or similar material for flexibility |
| Snake Function | Breaks up and removes clogs in narrow pipes by poking, prodding, and pulling |
| Steps to Use | 1. Cover the floor and wear gloves for protection. 2. Insert the snake head into the toilet drain. 3. Push the snake down with your hand or a crank. 4. Rotate and retract the snake to dislodge the blockage. 5. Flush the toilet to check if the clog is cleared. |
| Precautions | Use a dedicated toilet snake with softer bristles to avoid damaging porcelain. Turn off the water supply and place a note on the toilet to prevent accidental use. |
| Alternative Methods | Plunging, enzyme cleaners, dish soap and hot water |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing to use an electric snake
Before you start, it's a good idea to cover the floor around the toilet with old towels or rags to protect your floor from any splashes or mess. You should also put on a pair of rubber gloves to keep your hands clean. Keep a bucket or trash bag nearby to collect any debris that the snake retrieves. If you want to be extra cautious, turn off the water supply to the toilet by turning the knob behind it clockwise, or close the flapper inside the tank to prevent water from overflowing.
Next, you'll want to make sure you have the right kind of snake for your toilet. Most clogs occur within the two 'S' curves of the toilet drain, so a flexible, manual-power snake should be sufficient. Some snakes have a hand-powered crank to help move the cable down the pipe. Ensure you choose a snake with softer bristles and enough flexibility to bend around curved pipes.
Once you have your snake, open it up by removing the head and any ties or tape that might get in the way. Now you're ready to start feeding the snake into the toilet drain. Place the curved section of the tubing down through the toilet drain and up into the plumbing. Push the handle of the snake downwards towards the toilet while rotating it clockwise until it is fully extended or hits the blockage.
Now you're ready to start dislodging the blockage and clearing your clog.
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Using the electric snake
Before using an electric snake, it is recommended to try to unclog your toilet with a plunger. Place the plunger directly over the drain and vigorously work it up and down for 20-30 seconds. If the clog is cleared, the water in the bowl will drain.
If the clog is stubborn, you can use a toilet snake, also known as an auger. A power auger snake has a motorized body that provides additional force to clear clogs deep down the pipe. The snake's unique design allows it to flex and infiltrate the curves of the toilet's lower plumbing.
- Prepare the area: Cover the floor around the toilet with old towels or rags to protect it from any splashes. Put on a pair of rubber gloves to keep your hands clean. Keep a bucket or trash bag nearby to collect any debris retrieved by the snake.
- Open the snake: Most DIY toilet snakes have the "head" taped down. Remove any ties or tape that may hinder the feeding of the cable.
- Insert and push the snake: Place the head of the snake into the toilet drain. Push the snake down the drain with your hand or a manual crank. You may need to stop feeding the line to navigate around curves.
- Rotate and retract: Once the snake is fully extended or has hit the blockage, rotate the handle counterclockwise several times to dislodge the blockage. Then, while still rotating, pull the handle to retract the snake and remove the clog.
- Flush the toilet: After removing the clog, wind up the snake and flush the toilet. Keep an eye on the toilet's flushing for a few days. If the snake did not reach the clog, debris may settle further down the pipe and cause lingering issues.
If you are unable to clear the clog with a snake, you may need to call a professional plumber for assistance.
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Retracting the snake
When retracting the snake, you will pull out the whole clog or a small part of it. You may need to repeat the process several times to fully clear the blockage. Once you are confident that you have removed the clog, wind up the snake and flush the toilet. Keep an eye on your toilet to see if it's slow to flush for a few days. Debris knocked loose by a snake can "settle" further down the pipe and cause lingering problems.
If your snake doesn't go down the toilet, you've hit the clog right away. That's good! The most common cause of toilet clogs is a blockage in the toilet trap. That's the first curve in your toilet's "S" shape pipe; you can usually see the outline from the side.
If you have scratches in the toilet from using the snake, you can try flushing the toilet with the water line off so it doesn't refill. Squirt some toilet cleaner into the bottom of the bowl and run a toilet bowl brush back and forth a few times to get rid of most of the scratches. You can also try a Magic Eraser.
If the clog is caused by an item jammed in the toilet, such as a toy or a hairbrush, you may need to remove the toilet and flip it upside down to see the issue.
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Flushing the toilet
If the plunger doesn't work, you can move on to the electric snake. Cover the floor around the toilet with towels or rags to protect it from any splashes, and put on some rubber gloves. You should also keep a bucket or trash bag nearby to collect any debris retrieved by the snake.
Once you're prepared, follow these steps:
- Open the snake by removing the head and any ties or tape that might get in the way.
- Insert the head of the snake into the toilet drain.
- Push the snake down the drain with your hand or a manual crank. You may need to stop and adjust the snake's position to navigate curves in the pipe.
- Rotate the handle of the snake clockwise until it is fully extended or hits the blockage.
- Rotate the handle counterclockwise a few times to dislodge the blockage.
- While still rotating, pull the handle to retract the snake and remove the blockage.
After you have completed these steps, you can try flushing the toilet. If the clog is gone, the water in the bowl should drain. If the toilet is still slow to flush, there may still be debris in the pipe. You may need to repeat the snaking process several times to fully clear the clog.
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Preventing future clogs
Use Less Toilet Paper: Toilet paper is designed to break down, but in the sewer, not in the toilet. Using too much toilet paper at once can lead to clogs as it takes time to dissolve fully. Conserve paper and only use as much as you need. If you find yourself using a lot of paper, try flushing multiple times as you go, rather than just at the end.
Be Mindful of What You Flush: Your toilet is designed to handle three things: water, paper, and human waste. Anything else should be thrown in the trash. This includes cotton balls, Q-tips, tampons, and even "flushable" baby wipes.
Keep the Lid Closed: Keeping the lid closed prevents items from accidentally falling into the toilet and being flushed, such as children's toys or other small objects.
Check Your Diet: A person's diet can contribute to toilet clogs. Consider using stool softeners or increasing your fibre intake to help prevent clogs.
Maintain Your Toilet: Regularly check your toilet's components to ensure they are in good shape. A simple fix like adjusting the chain on the flapper can improve flushing pressure and prevent clogs.
Use a Plunger: Before flushing, use a plunger to break up solid waste and help it pass through the pipes more easily.
Tree Roots: If you have large trees nearby, their roots can grow into your pipes and cause clogs. Consult a plumber to address this issue and use tree root killers as directed to keep the problem under control.
Avoid Using Bricks: An old trick to save water was to put a brick in the toilet tank. However, modern toilets are designed to use the correct amount of water needed to function properly. Using a brick can prevent proper flushing and lead to clogs. Instead, use a plastic water bottle filled with sand if your toilet is older and uses more water than necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
Before using an electric snake, try to unclog your toilet with a plunger. Place the plunger directly over the drain and vigorously work it up and down for 20-30 seconds. If that doesn't work, follow the steps below:
- Cover the floor around the toilet with towels or rags to protect it from any splashes.
- Put on a pair of rubber gloves to keep your hands clean.
- Open the electric snake by removing the head and any ties or tape.
- Insert the head of the snake into the toilet drain.
- Push the snake down the drain with your hand or a manual crank.
- Rotate the handle clockwise until the snake is fully extended or hits the blockage.
- Rotate the handle counterclockwise to dislodge the blockage, then pull the handle to retract the snake.
A toilet snake, also known as a drain snake or auger, is a plumbing tool used to break up and remove clogs in narrow pipes. It is a wire coil with a pointed, screw-like tip that is usually coated in nylon or another material to create a firm but flexible cable.
Reserve snakes for stubborn clogs that a plunger cannot clear. Most toilet clogs occur within the two 'S' curves of the toilet drain, so a power auger snake is usually not necessary.
To prevent toilet clogs, make sure to clean your toilet and reservoir at least once or twice a month, ideally once a week. Use cleaners specifically formulated for toilets and pay attention to any signs of a potential clog. Scrub the water jets around the rim of your toilet with a toilet brush to prevent clogs.
If you are unable to clear the clog with a snake, you may need to call a professional plumber. In the meantime, place a note on the toilet or tape it shut to prevent anyone from using it.
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