# Will a Snake Fix a Clogged Toilet? An Expert‘s Complete Guide to Effectively Using a Snake for Unclogging Toilets - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/will-a-snake-fix-a-clogged-toilet/ - Published: 2023-10-30 - Author: Lillie Gabler - Categories: [Tips](https://33rdsquare.com/category/home/tips/) --- As a home improvement specialist with over 10 years of experience in renovations and plumbing repairs, I‘ve tackled my fair share of clogged toilets. While a trusty plunger can handle mild obstructions, sever blockages often call for bringing out the “big guns” – also known as a plumber‘s snake. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll draw upon my expertise to walk you through everything you need to know about effectively using a snake to clear up the most stubborn toilet clogs. ### Table of Contents - [What Exactly is a Plumber‘s Snake?](#what-exactly-is-a-plumbers-snake) - [Determining When to Use a Snake Instead of a Plunger](#determining-when-to-use-a-snake-instead-of-a-plunger) - [Step-by-Step Instructions for Snaking a Toilet](#step-by-step-instructions-for-snaking-a-toilet) - [Snake Safety Tips](#snake-safety-tips) - [Choosing Between Hand Crank or Powered Augers](#choosing-between-hand-crank-or-powered-augers) - [Unclogging Tricks If the Snake Didn‘t Work](#unclogging-tricks-if-the-snake-didnt-work) - [Removing a Stuck Snake from the Toilet](#removing-a-stuck-snake-from-the-toilet) - [Can Snakes Really Slither Up Into the Toilet?](#can-snakes-really-slither-up-into-the-toilet) - [Avoiding Common Snake Mistakes](#avoiding-common-snake-mistakes) - [Knowing When It‘s Time to Call a Professional](#knowing-when-its-time-to-call-a-professional) ## What Exactly is a Plumber‘s Snake? Before we dive into usage, let‘s look at exactly what a plumber’s snake is. This versatile tool is also referred to as a **drain auger** or **flexible plumbing snake**. It consists of a long, flexible metal cable coil that is inserted into pipes to physically grab and remove clogs. The tip is a narrow corkscrew shape that helps thread through debris and break up blockages when turned. According to industry surveys, the most common cause of clogged toilets is an accumulation of waste and toilet paper – accounting for over 70% of cases. Other obstructions like hair, grease, toys, and feminine products can also build up over time. A plumber‘s snake is often the go-to solution by professionals and DIYers alike for conquering these clogs and restoring proper drainage. For toilets, a **closet auger** is ideal. It has a 3-6 foot cable designed to navigate the sharp 90 degree bends of a toilet‘s trap and drain. The end is rounded into a bulb shape to prevent scratching the smooth porcelain bowl surface during the twisting process. ## Determining When to Use a Snake Instead of a Plunger You don’t want to reach for the snake prematurely when a simple plunger might do the trick. Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to escalate from a plunger to an auger: - Water overflows the rim of the toilet bowl when flushing - Water in the bowl only drains slowly after plunging attempts - You can see or hear gurgling coming from the toilet - Repeated forceful plunging had no impact - Something solid was accidentally flushed down – toys, bottles, excessive paper etc. According to a survey by Roto-Rooter, a leading plumbing provider, up to 80% of residential toilet clogs can be cleared through vigorous plunging. But for the other 20%, calling in the snake is required. Snaking is also preferable if the clog is deep in the trap or drain line. The mechanical snake can reach much further to grab hard-to-reach obstructions. ## Step-by-Step Instructions for Snaking a Toilet When it comes time to pull out the snake, follow these steps carefully: ### What You‘ll Need: - Drain snake/closet auger - Adjustable pliers or wrench - Old towels, rags, buckets - Gloves and eye protection ### Step 1: Turn Off Water Supply Locate the shut-off valve behind or around the toilet and turn it clockwise to shut off the water. This prevents messy overflows once the snake is inserted. Place towels around the toilet base to catch any drips. Have a bucket ready to capture water in the bowl when flushed one last time. ### Step 2: Disconnect & Remove Toilet Tank Lid The tank lid clips on and off easily, allowing access to the inner workings during repairs. Set it safely aside. If your toilet has an exterior water supply line, disconnect it at the valve for easier access. ### Step 3: Insert Snake into Drain While holding the auger cable with pliers, slowly insert it into the drain opening at the bottom of the bowl, allowing it to gently glide down the hole. Feed more cable in as you feel the snake go down the trap bend. If you meet resistance, that‘s the clog – do not force the cable. ### Step 4: Rotate Crank to Clear Clog Once 4-6 inches of cable are past the clog, start turning the crank handle on the auger clockwise while pushing and pulling the snake gently. As the twisted metal tip works through the obstruction, you‘ll start feeling the cable rotating more freely again. Keep turning the handle for another minute after it feels clear to ensure the drainpipe is fully open. ### Step 5: Retrieve Snake & Reassemble When finished, retrieve the cable carefully to prevent dripping dirty water outside the bowl. Rinse off the snake outdoors with a hose. Reconnect any parts you disconnected like the water supply line and tank lid. Turn the water back on and test for proper flushing. #### Snake Safety Tips - Go slow to avoid scratching the porcelain or damaging fragile internal parts. - Don‘t force the snake when you meet resistance or it can break and get stuck. - Keep a firm grip at all times – spinning snakes tend to whip around dangerously. - Use eye and hand protection – gloves, goggles, etc. The snake can splash dirty water as it spins. - Keep your hands clear of the bowl opening when feeding in the snake. - Clean the snake and anything that contacted toilet water for sanitation. ## Choosing Between Hand Crank or Powered Augers When it comes to the choice between hand crank vs. powered drain snakes, each has pros and cons: **Hand Crank** - Safer – Less risk of damage due to slower speed and greater control - Cheaper – Basic versions under $30. More affordable for occasional home use. - Don‘t require power source – Can use manually anywhere needed. - Provide better feel and feedback through the handle **Powered** - Clear clogs faster – Electric motor provides quicker revolutions of snake - Easier to operate – Don‘t have to manually crank the entire time - Provide more torque – Can grind through tougher obstructions - Large capacity drums hold more cable – For longer drain lines According to Gary, a master plumber with 40 years of experience, _"Around 75% of simple toilet clogs can be cleared with a plastic hand auger costing less than $10. But for more serious obstructions deeper in the pipes, you need the power of an electric auger that typically costs over $100."_ For DIYers, it‘s usually worth trying a hand crank auger first before upgrading to something powered. The initial lower investment and added control reduces the risks of damage. ## Unclogging Tricks If the Snake Didn‘t Work If passing the snake through the toilet bowl drain doesn’t seem to unclog it, don’t fret. There are still several other tricks and tools you can try: - **Hot Water** – Pour a large pot of very hot (not boiling) water directly into the bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes to help dissolve the clog naturally before flushing again. - **Baking Soda and Vinegar** – Dump about 1⁄2 cup of baking soda into the toilet followed by 1 cup of vinegar. Let the fizzy chemical reaction work for 10-15 minutes before flushing. - **Dish Soap** – Squirt a generous amount of liquid dish soap into the bowl. Let it sit overnight. The surfactants help break down fatty obstructions from oils and grease. - **Repeat Plunging** – Sometimes the obstruction just needs an extra push that plunging can provide after loosening with the auger. - **Closet Auger** – If you‘ve been using a small regular sink snake, try a specialized 3-6 foot closet auger that can really get into the tight toilet trap and drain bends. - **Electric Eel or Powered Auger** – As a last resort before calling a plumber, use an electric-powered auger with more torque to finally grind through the toughest clogs. ## Removing a Stuck Snake from the Toilet One common frustration is when the end of the snake gets tangled or hooked deep within the toilet pipes where the clog is located. Here are some tips for removing a stuck auger: ### Try Reversing the Auger Turn the crank handle of the snake in the opposite counter-clockwise direction. This can loosen the coiled end from whatever is trapping it and allow you to pull it back out. ### Use Penetrating Oil Apply a lubricating oil like WD-40 or similar onto the opening of the drain before attempting to retract the snake again. This allows it to slide out more smoothly if bound up. ### Disconnect the Cable Some drain snake models allow you disconnect the cables, leaving just the stuck end remaining. Replace it with a new cable to resume snaking from the start. ### Call a Professional If you’ve tried the above to no avail, avoid continuing to struggle on your own. Damaging the auger can make removal much harder. Calling a plumber allows usage of professional tools and techniques to retrieve it safely. ## Can Snakes Really Slither Up Into the Toilet? The thought of reaching for toilet paper only to come face-to-face with a snake crawling out of the bowl is nightmare fuel for most people. But just how plausible is this happening in reality? While rare, it is _physically possible_ in certain circumstances: - **Through drains** – A snake could access the toilet from the home‘s sewer or septic drain lines that all connect. They would need to climb up pipes against flowing wastewater. - **Small snakes** – Only very thin snakes about the width of a quarter or less could fit in the tight toilet drain opening. Large snakes simply couldn‘t physically squeeze through. - **Up through the ground** – Some snakes can essentially swim through water-filled pipes, aided by the upward curve of the toilet trap. So while not common, if you live in an area populated by small snake species, you may want to take precautions such as: - Keep bathroom drains sealed when not in use - Use screens over vent pipes - Check toilets thoroughly before use if in a high risk area But ultimately, snakes want to avoid detection from humans and are unlikely to choose such a conspicuous spot. ## Avoiding Common Snake Mistakes It’s easy to accidentally damage your toilet or pipes when improvising with a snake. Here are some frequent mistakes to steer clear of: **Forcing the Snake** – If you meet a lot of resistance, don‘t apply brute force. Let the turning cable slowly grind its way through the clog. Forcing can break the snake or scratch the toilet. **Loose Grip** – Always maintain a firm grasp on the auger near the drain opening. Otherwise, the twisting snake will thrash around wildly out of control. **Wrong Type of Snake** – Don‘t use a large diameter kitchen or sink snake meant for 4” pipes. Get a thinner closet auger specifically made for toilets. **Leaving the Snake Unattended** – Stay nearby the entire time the snake is down the toilet. Accidentally flushing or nudging it while doing another task risks breakage. **Rushing the Process** – Work slowly and gently, especially when first inserting the snake. Hurrying risks jamming the cable or missing the clog entirely by pushing past it. **Overdoing It** – Once the obstruction is cleared and water flows freely, retrieve the snake. Don‘t keep grinding it around after the job is done or you could scratch something. ## Knowing When It‘s Time to Call a Professional While snaking your toilet yourself can work wonders for simple obstructions, there are some cases where it pays to call in a true drain expert: - You‘ve already unsuccessfully tried snaking multiple times - There are leaks or cracks around the toilet base - Your home has a septic tank system - The clog appears to be in the main sewer line - There are roots or collapsed pipes that require repair - You believe something is stuck deep in the drain line Plumbers have ultra high powered motorized snakes that can exert up to 750 ft-lbs of torque to shred through anything. They also have the benefit of experience to know advanced techniques. Professionals like plumbers also have specialized camera snakes that allow them to visually inspect the inside of pipes to pinpoint the exact location and cause of the clog. So when dealing with serious obstructions that require more than a standard hand crank auger, don‘t waste time struggling in vain yourself – call the pros! --- I sincerely hope this comprehensive guide better equips you to confidently use a plumber‘s snake to clear those pesky toilet clogs yourself. While not rocket science, make sure to follow proper techniques to avoid damaging your precious porcelain throne! Let me know if you have any other home plumbing questions. --- Source: [Will a Snake Fix a Clogged Toilet? An Expert‘s Complete Guide to Effectively Using a Snake for Unclogging Toilets](https://33rdsquare.com/will-a-snake-fix-a-clogged-toilet/)