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How to unclog a toilet with snake


How to Snake a Toilet (DIYer's Guide)

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Let’s face it: Dealing with a clogged toilet is about as much fun—but, unfortunately, just as necessary—as a root canal. So if you’ve tried a plunger, a hot-water flush, or even a homemade baking soda solution and things still aren’t flowing like they should, it’s probably time summon the snake (also known as a plumber’s auger).

That doesn’t necessarily mean calling a pro, however. You can rent a snake specifically made for the task at hand from your local hardware store for about $10 to $15 per day (far more affordable than even the most reasonable $50-an-hour plumber’s fee).

A drain snake is a highly effective tool that features a long metal cable with a coiled hook at the tip, perfect for dredging unwanted material from your commode. Simply follow the steps here to learn how to snake a toilet and simply flush the problem away.

Tools & Materials

Step 1

Call your favorite hardware store to find out if it rents augers suitable for toilets. Check one out for the day and familiarize yourself with its mechanics before use. The drain snake, housed within a thin rubber hose, has an angled handle that also acts as a crank on one end; the other end goes into the toilet bowl. (An electric auger would attach to your power drill, but manual augers are usually successful for this job and cost far less to rent.)

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Step 2

Put on your rubber gloves and place a large, empty bucket or waterproof container next to the toilet. Position the business end of the auger’s cable into the toilet bowl and aim it toward the drain in the back. Crank the handle clockwise to release and extend the cable down into the drain; keep turning the crank until it stops—you’ve reached the clog.

Step 3

Pull back slightly on the snake. If you feel resistance, it likely means you’ve hooked the source, so turn the crank in the opposite direction to bring the unwanted material back to the surface. Remove it from the bowl and dispose of it in the bucket. Repeat as necessary to make sure you’ve freed the clog entirely. Then retract the auger by cranking the handle counter-clockwise and place the wet end in the bucket.

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Photo: istockphoto.com

Step 4

If you’re unable to pull out the clog out entirely, attempt to break it up enough so that it will flush down. Crank the cable as far as it will go, jiggle it lightly, retract, and repeat several times. Once you’re able to move it farther and more freely than you were when you started, you’ve breached the clog. Now, remove the auger and stick the business end in the bucket.

Step 5

To avoid the possibility of overflow when you flush, remove the tank lid and manually stop the flapper from releasing too much water into the bowl. It’s a two-handed procedure: With your less-dominant hand, flush the toilet as usual and close the flapper—the 2- or 3-inch rubber disc attached to a chain inside your tank—with your dominant hand to prevent the bowl from filling up too high. Once you’re sure the clog is gone, flush again while leaving the flapper alone.

Step 6

To clean up, dump any waste collected in the bucket back into the toilet in small amounts and flush to make sure it all goes down without causing a new clog. Then, thoroughly clean the bucket and the auger with very hot water and bleach or vinegar before returning it to the store.

Avoiding Future Clogs
You may be able to save yourself the trouble of a repeat performance by being careful about what you put in the commode. The safest approach is to flush toilet paper only. Sanitary products, paper towels, dental floss, and hair should never be flushed. If you have particularly old or sensitive pipes, consider switching to a lighter ply brand of toilet paper to help keep things moving along.

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How to Snake a Toilet

You've just discovered that your sink or toilet is blocked. It's time to break out the rubber gloves and the plunger. A little hard work and a few minutes later, the sink is still blocked. You can try pouring a harsh drain cleaner to unclog the sink, but it doesn't work.

Do you give up and call a plumber?

Not yet. Instead, you can try using a drain or plumbing snake to remove the blockage. Drain snakes are also known as drain augers, which are tools for unclogging toilets and drains.

Tools Needed to Unclog a Sink Using a Drain Snake

Preparing to Use Drain Snakes

Step 1: Check under your sink and flush the toilet. Pay attention to how well the water drains from both areas. Most bathroom sinks will have a U-shaped pipe (sink trap) located under the sink. A modern sink trap has a clean-out plug for convenience.

Step 2: Place the bucket underneath the sink and keep the rags ready as water may spill out.

Step 3: For a clean-out plug, use adjustable pliers to turn it clockwise to remove the plug. If you do not have a clean-out plug, then you will have to remove the U-shaped sink trap by removing the slip nuts at either end. Loosen the trap to avoid cracking the trap assembly. Wait until the water has emptied before moving forward.

Step 4: The sink trap collects hair, dirt, and other debris. The sink trap could be blocked, but if cleaning it out does not resolve the issue, then it's time to insert the drain snake.

Snaking a Toilet With a Drain Snake

Step 1: Manually feed the head of the snake into the pipe, slowly lowering it 8 to 12 inches into the pipe at a time, then spin the handle clockwise. Rotate the handle at a steady pace.

Step 2: Eventually, you will hit an obstacle. This could be the blockage or a turn in the pipe. Do not force the snake too hard, as you may damage the pipe.

Step 3: When you hit the blockage, wiggle, and rotate the head of the drain snake by pushing the toilet auger through the blockage to break it up. Stop if you hear any scraping noises.

Step 4: Try to re-adjust the position of the head and break up the blockage. Turning clockwise, use the toilet auger to push through the obstruction.

Step 5: When the blockage is removed, take out the drain snake and check the auger head for the remains of the blockage. Clean it off.

Step 6: Put plumber's tape around the threads below the drain to ensure a tight seal. Screw back the clean-out plugs and reassemble the sink trap parts.

Step 7: Run the water and ensure that the sink drains easily and flush the toilet. Both drain cleaners and drain snakes may remove blockages together, but be careful what products you use because they can damage your pipes.

What to Do When a Drain Snake Does Not Work

If you've followed these steps and you still have a blockage, try snaking the sink or toilet again. However, if further snaking does not resolve the problem, you may need to call in a professional plumber.

Where can I buy a drain snake?

You can buy a drain snake from most hardware stores, and it costs between $20 to $50. However, it will cost significantly more to buy a drain auger, which is what plumbers use.

Plumbing Plans from HomeServe

If you feel that some tasks should be left to the professionals, then you’ll want to be prepared with a plan from HomeServe. That way you can avoid the high cost of covered plumbing repairs with a home repair plan. You can count on us to get the job done professionally and with your safety in mind. See what plans are available in your area.


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How to clean a clogged toilet bowl at home

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How to clean a toilet

If you want to know how to clean a toilet, the best place to start is by cleaning the toilet. To do this, you need to clean as much of the surface as possible, so start by draining as much water from the bowl as you can. You can do this by siphoning with a plunger, or by closing the water valve and flushing the toilet.

  1. Wear gloves! Apply bleach.

    Put on gloves and apply your chosen bleach or cleaning fluid around the rim, allowing it to run off the sides.

  2. Cleaning with a toilet brush.

    Using a toilet brush, start rubbing under the rim to remove stains from the surface and spread the cleaner over the entire surface.

  3. Be careful!

    Continue brushing the toilet and around it.

  4. Repeat.

    Brush the toilet again and flush the toilet to flush out the cleaner, continuing to scrub as the water runs off.

How to clean the toilet seat

The toilet seat can harbor harmful bacteria, so it is important to clean it regularly and thoroughly.

  1. Spray cleaner.

    Spray bathroom cleaner around the seat and lid, especially bolts and screws, and on the back near the pipe or cistern.

  2. Use a toothbrush.

    Use an old toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas such as hinges and remove dirt.

  3. Wipe.

    Wipe off dirt with a paper towel and dry with cleaning solution.

    To quickly clean the toilet seat, it is useful to have antibacterial washable wipes on hand.

How to clean the outside of the toilet

Keeping the outside of the toilet clean is just as important as cleaning the toilet because it can get dirty just as well.

  1. Tank cleaner sprayer.

    Spray the tub, lid, base, sides, and handle with bathroom cleaner. You can also use washable antibacterial wipes for convenience.

  2. Start at the top.

    Starting at the top, wipe the entire surface with a kitchen towel or cloth, removing all cleaning solution.

  3. Always use a clean and dry cloth.

    If the cloth is soaked halfway through, use a clean, dry cloth to continue.

How to clean the toilet base

Stains and bacteria can accumulate at the base of the toilet where it meets the floor and also behind it, causing bad odors.

  1. Spray foundation.

    Spray bathroom cleaner around the bottom of the toilet.

  2. Use an old toothbrush.

    Using an old toothbrush, scrub the affected area thoroughly to remove dirt and odors.

  3. Wipe.

    Wipe off dirt with paper towels or cloth and dry thoroughly.

  4. The finishing touch.

    This step is optional, but we think having a pleasantly scented toilet at the end is definitely a plus; secure the rim block of your choice over the rim of the toilet to prevent dirt and scale from accumulating, as well as preventing odors from coming out of the toilet.

How to quickly clean the toilet bowl

Sometimes the luxury of time is not on our side, but the cleaning needs to be cleaned up, and quickly! Here's how to quickly clean a dirty toilet bowl.

  1. Use toilet bowl cleaner on the edge and sides.

    Put on rubber gloves, raise the toilet seat and spray the toilet bowl cleaner around the edge and sides.

  2. Clean the toilet with a brush.

    Then clean the toilet with the brush, making sure the cleaning solution reaches all the nooks and crannies of the toilet, including the U-bend. If you have time, let the toilet cleaner work for about 30 minutes. If not, move on to the next step!

  3. Wipe the seat and cover.
  4. Wipe outside.

    Wipe the outside of the toilet from the top to the base.

  5. Hopper or flush.

    Remove used tissues or flush the toilet - mission accomplished.

How to Disinfect Toilets and Deep Clean Toilets

An abandoned toilet needs a little more maintenance than regular cleaning. Here's how to clean a dirty toilet to look like new.

  1. Wash the outside of the toilet with a sponge and hot water to remove any dirt, wipe it off and dry it with a cloth or kitchen towel.

  2. Spray toilet bowl cleaner all over the toilet: lid, seat, exterior and base. Leave it to work.

  3. Use a liquid toilet cleaner and apply it under the rim of the toilet, leaving it to work for at least twenty minutes or overnight if safe to do so - this is the best way to go deep into the water. clean the toilet.

  4. Scrub the toilet thoroughly with the stain remover. Rinse and rinse your brush. If stains are still present, repeat this step again.

  5. Use a rag or kitchen towel to wipe the disinfectant spray around the seat, base, lid, and back of the toilet until the entire toilet is clean and squeaky dry.

How to get rid of toilet stains

So now you know how to clean a toilet, but do you know how to remove toilet stains? Read on for our top tips for removing the most common toilet stains.

How to remove toilet stains: Hard water

  1. Pour one cup of vinegar into the toilet, swirl the solution with a brush and leave for a minute.

  2. Add one cup of baking soda and another cup of vinegar.

  3. Let the solution sizzle for about five minutes, then rub the toilet bowl to get the solution on all stains.

  4. Finally flush the toilet and you're done!

How to Remove Toilet Stains: Yellow Stains

Yellow toilet stains are the most common stains caused by pigment buildup in urine residue, but are more difficult to remove. Fortunately, bleach's strong cleansing properties can erase these nasty yellow stains.

  1. Apply bleach to the toilet and let it sit for a couple of hours.

  2. Once you see that the stains are gone, rinse off the bleach.

  3. Leave the bleach overnight if the stains are very strong.

How to clean toilet stains: Limescale

This mineral deposit forms stubborn stains that are difficult to remove and often require a special product. If you don't have one, you can use vinegar just as effectively. Read our top tips to learn more about how to remove limescale from your toilet. How to clean a heavily soiled toilet bowl: Removing brown stains on the toilet bowl

These unsightly brown stains on the toilet bowl are caused by mineral compounds in hard water, especially iron oxide or rust. Since acid-based cleaners dissolve rust, vinegar is a really good and natural cleaner.

  1. To remove stains on the bottom of the container, add two liters of vinegar and leave for several hours before rinsing.

  2. If the stains are near the rim, mix some vinegar and borax (or salt if you don't have them) into a paste and brush over the stains with an old toothbrush.

  3. Let it run for at least a few hours or overnight if you can before washing it off.

Use a pumice stone soaked in water to gently remove stubborn stains from the toilet bowl.

Answers to the most common toilet cleaning questions

How to clean a dirty toilet brush

bleach for one hour. This should be done at least once a week to avoid bacteria buildup and before brushing the bowl. For more information, check out our handy cleaning guide for your toilet brush and toilet brush holder.

How to keep the toilet clean

As with most household chores, cleaning the toilet is easiest if you take care of it in your daily life. Deep cleaning can be done once every two weeks, and regular - weekly.

Make sure you have a clean appliance (toilet brush and cloths) and clean the toilet regularly or wipe the seat every two days with antibacterial. wipes.Using a rim block will help keep your toilet clean, fresh and hygienic in between more thorough cleanings.

How to Clean Your Toilet Using Natural Ingredients

If you prefer to limit the amount of chemicals you use in your home, there are several natural alternatives available.

For more tips on how to disinfect your toilet naturally, see our article on eco-friendly bathroom cleaning ideas.

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How to unlock the toilet | The best ways to clean it

A clogged toilet can be a real nightmare. And for some reason, it often seems that this happens at the most inopportune moment. This guide explains how to unlock a toilet and how to prevent a clogged toilet.

Jump to:

Plunger Unlocking the Toilet

It's so easy to panic when the toilet is locked, but spending a few minutes defending, preparing, and planning can save you a lot of problems in the future. Having a plunger handy , follow these six simple steps to unlock the toilet.

1. Assemble Equipment

You will need the following tools and supplies to unblock a heavily clogged toilet:

2. Protect the area around

Don't use your best towels to soak up the toilet water, and don't try to pick up excess toilet paper. Instead, use old towels or newspaper to soak up spills and protect your bathroom floor. Protect yourself with rubber gloves and put on old clothes.

3. Make sure the toilet does not overflow.

Before cleaning, it is important to make sure that the toilet is not overfilled. There must be a shut-off valve in the pipe coming out of the wall behind the toilet.

4. Make sure you have the correct piston

If you haven't found an obstruction that can be manually removed, it's time to try putting on the rubber plunger. While this is often the easiest way to unlock the toilet, it can often be ineffective simply because you're trying to use a sink plunger to unlock the toilet!

Toilet pistons have a hinged flange that folds into the piston cup when not in use. Pistons without this flange are designed for sinks. The flange creates a secure seal that speeds up the process by completely closing the hole. The toilet plunger also needs to be fully submerged in water to work, so if the toilet isn't full of water, you may need to add some water using a tub or sink and your handy bucket.

Tip: Soften the toilet plunger by soaking it in hot water for five minutes before use. This should provide a better seal and will work more efficiently.

5. Create vacuum with piston

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Place the plunger under the water, completely covering the pipe. Push down slowly and firmly to create a seal, then pull up to create a vacuum to dislodge the blockage. Repeat this exercise, increasing the speed at which you work, and expect it to last at least 15 minutes.

With any luck, you will find that the water runs off and the blockage is either absorbed or dispersed. If the toilet drains and the clog persists, fill the toilet with water to the standard level and start diving again. Stubborn blockages, especially those made up of hair and/or wet toilet tissue, may require multiple immersion cycles.

6. Clean well

After you have used the plunger, it is important to clean it well. The easiest way is to flush it down the toilet by flushing several times.

This also serves to prevent any blockage from your property from entering the large hole drain. To sanitize a plunger that has been in contact with nasty substances, pour household bleach and laundry liquid into the toilet, place the plunger head into the mixture and stir for a few minutes, then flush as above with a toilet flush.

Pistonless Toilet Unlock

Few things are more annoying than a blocked toilet, but a blocked toilet when you don't have a bath at hand definitely tops the list of annoyances. The usual situation is:

Start by placing newspaper around the toilet to catch any spills or splashes and put on rubber gloves. Start by collecting a few household items to help you unlock the toilet:

Here are 4 best ways to unlock a toilet without a bathtub:

1.
Dishwashing liquid

The first attempt to unlock a toilet without a plunger should be regular dishwashing liquid. Pour about half of the mug down the toilet, dripping it around the toilet so that it forms a ring around the waterline and then crosses the water itself.

Leave for half an hour to loosen the blockage a little, then fill a bucket with hot water and pour it into the toilet from about waist height - the force of the water will help remove the blockage.

Leave for another ten minutes and then rinse. With luck, this will completely eliminate the blockage. However, even if it doesn't dissolve whatever clogged the toilet, make sure the water level doesn't drop. If this happens, repeat the process one more time with laundry detergent and hot water and you will find that it removes the rest of the obstruction.

To make sure that the material that clogs the toilet has completely dissipated, immediately pour a cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar into the toilet. Wait at least thirty minutes for the bubble to disperse around the edges of the toilet, and then flush again.

2. Adhesive film

This toilet cleaner has a mixed reputation. It seems to depend on the water pressure in your toilet system - so if you have high pressure this works very well, but if you have low water pressure it is often ineffective. Since it is a minimally invasive method, it is often a really good place to start.

Use an old towel to keep the surface of the toilet dry. Cover the toilet bowl with three layers of cling film, making sure the entire surface is covered and that you have pressed the cling film firmly against the porcelain to ensure a good seal. When you flush the toilet, you should find that the sticky film is blowing up as a result of the pressure of the flush. Slowly press down on the raised film to reverse the direction of the suction and loosen the blockage in the main drain.

3. Plastic bottle

There is one level of trouble worse than having a blocked toilet and missing a plunger, namely having a blocked "full" toilet and missing a plunger. To be honest, it can be a little messy, but it's often very effective.

First you need to put on these rubber gloves and some old clothes and make sure you have your newspaper. For this to work, you need to flush some of the water out of the toilet, you can do this using a small (and disposable!) container and pour it down the sink or bucket.

When you have removed some of the water so that you can put your hand in the toilet without splashing the water overboard, take a large plastic bottle and cut off the bottom. Either close the lid or place your thumb on top to create a vacuum. If your thumb isn't big enough to completely cover your neck, use plastic wrap and an elastic band to create a seal that acts as a lid.

Now insert the open end of the bottle into the toilet and plunge it vigorously up and down, making sure it stays completely submerged. This creates a vacuum in the pipe which actually sucks the blockage back into the main drain.

4. Hangers

Unwind the wire hanger until it is straight. Bend one end up to form a "U" shape and use that end to insert it into the toilet. Push and pull the obstacle until it starts to break down and drains down the drain.

While this is one of the easiest ways to unlock a toilet, it is also one of the systems that often has only partial success. It should be used in conjunction with a dishwashing liquid system or a plastic bottle system to ensure that the obstruction is completely removed and not just pierced there is a hole in it that causes it to clog up again.

How to Prevent Clogged Toilets

One of the easiest ways to keep your toilet clean and free of obstructions is to make your own toilet bombs. You will need:

Mix baking soda and citric acid in a glass bowl. If you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to wear gloves during this process. Then spray the mixed powders with water once or twice, stirring with a spatula, until the mixture starts to come together - you need very little water for this, if it starts to sizzle, you've added too much. Add your favorite essential oil blend: Rosemary, Peppermint, Lemon and Bergamot are known for their pure fragrance.

Squeeze the mixture into an ice cube tray with a spatula and let it dry. Store in a large jar in the bathroom and toss one or two down the toilet last night to evaporate and clear any possible blockages while you sleep.

Don't let a burst pipe or clogged drain slow you down. Remove the water and sewer cap and access a nationwide network of trusted engineers.

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See also



How to Fix a Clogged Toilet - Home Ideas


Things You'll Need

Proper immersion technique helps clear many toilet clogs.

A clogged toilet is often relatively easy to clear with a plumbing snake, plunger and basic household items. Some major blockages may require the help of a plumber, but most blockages near the toilet drain will not. If the blockage does not come out with a water snake, the next step is to cut it in. If diving fails to remove the blockage, it should be cleared with a homemade drain cleaner. If none of these methods work, the blockage may be deep in the pipes of the house and require a visit to the plumber.

Step 1


Gently insert a plumber's snake, cleaning auger, or other flexible tool into the toilet to remove or loosen the blockage. Most blockages are at the top of the toilet drain, next to the toilet bowl, so the tool should not go very far down the drain. Move the tool to pierce or loosen the blockage. If you don't have a tool to stick into the toilet, or if the plumber's snake doesn't remove the blockage, skip this step and try to remove the blockage by dipping it.

Step 2


Turn off the water supply to the toilet before diving if the toilet seems to overflow during the dive.

Step 3


Insert the plunger into the toilet and hold it so that the rubber end covers the drain hole in the toilet. If necessary, add water to the toilet so that the water covers the rubber cup of the piston.

Step 4


Slowly push down on the piston to force the air out of the piston cup. Push the plunger up and down while holding the rubber piece all the way over the toilet drain. The idea is to force water in and out of the drain hole to clear blockages. Lower the toilet until the water level drops, indicating that the drain is clean. If the water level doesn't drop, go to step 8 to create a homemade sewer cleaner.

Step 5


Flush the toilet to remove any previously stuck material from the pipes and make sure the toilet is working properly.

STEP 6


Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the toilet if the toilet is still not working properly.

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