Watching water rise to the brim of your toilet bowl is panic-inducing. If the trusty plunger failed you, don’t worry. You likely just need to learn how to snake a toilet.
Using a toilet snake, officially known as a closet auger, is the most effective DIY method for clearing stubborn clogs. We will walk you through the process step-by-step so you can get your bathroom back to normal without a plumbing bill.
Key Takeaways
- Choose the right tool: Use a toilet auger with a rubber guard to protect your porcelain bowl from scratches.
- Technique matters: Insert the cable tip, rotate the handle clockwise to snag the clog, and pull it back out.
- Test safely: Flush carefully or use a bucket of water to ensure the drain is clear before fully flushing.
- Prevention is key: Avoid flushing “flushable” wipes or heavy paper products to stop future blockages.
What Is a Toilet Snake?
A toilet snake, technically called a “closet auger,” is a specialized plumbing tool designed specifically for toilets. It features a long, flexible metal cable inside a hollow tube with an elbow fitting at the bottom.
Unlike a standard drain snake used for sinks, a toilet auger includes a rubber or plastic sleeve on the elbow. This sleeve protects the visible porcelain in your bowl from getting scratched by the metal cable.
Toilet Auger vs. Drain Snake
It is important to know the difference before you start.
- Closet Auger: Has a rigid handle and a J-shaped protective tube. It is designed to navigate the S-trap of a toilet without damaging it.
- Drain Snake: Usually a long, thin coil without a protective guard. Using this on a toilet will almost certainly scratch the bottom of the bowl permanently.
Dealing With A Large Blockage
If you have clogs deep within the plumbing system that a standard hand-crank auger cannot reach, you may need an electric auger. However, for most household clogs, a manual auger is sufficient.
How to Snake a Toilet
Using an auger is straightforward, but patience is required. Follow these steps to clear the line safely.
What You’ll Need
- Toilet auger: Preferably a 3-foot to 6-foot telescoping model.
- Toilet plunger: For finishing the job.
- Rubber gloves: To protect your hands from bacteria.
- Bucket: To hold the auger and any waste you pull out.
- Old towels: To protect the floor from splashes.
1. Insert the Snake
Hygiene First
Always wear rubber gloves and safety glasses. Toilet water contains bacteria, and the cable can splash as it retracts.
Pull the auger handle all the way up so the cable is retracted into the guide tube. Place the curved elbow of the auger into the toilet bowl. Make sure the rubber guard is resting at the bottom of the bowl, pointing into the drain opening.
2. Engage the Blockage
Push the handle down slowly to extend the cable into the drain. As you push, rotate the handle clockwise.
You will feel the cable navigate the “S” curve of the toilet trap. Keep cranking until the cable extends fully or until you hit resistance. That resistance is usually the clog.
3. Remove the Clog
Once you hook the obstruction, the goal is usually to pull it out rather than push it deeper. Keep rotating the handle clockwise to entangle the item in the coil.
Gently pull back on the auger. If it feels heavy or stuck, you likely have the clog hooked. Retract the cable fully and dispose of the waste in your bucket. Do not flush debris back down.
If the clog breaks apart, you can try to push the remaining small pieces through to the sewer line, but extraction is always the safer bet.
4. Test and Flush
Before you flush the handle, perform a safety test.
Avoid Overflowing
Do not flush the toilet handle immediately. If the clog remains, the bowl will overflow onto your floor.
Pour a bucket of water into the bowl rapidly. If the water drains immediately and you hear that signature suction sound, the toilet is fixed. If the water rises and stays high, the clog is still there. Repeat the snaking process or try plunging.
What Size Snake Is Needed for a Toilet?
Most household toilets require a standard 3-foot closet auger. This length is sufficient to clear the toilet trap, which is where the vast majority of clogs occur.
If you have an older home or frequent deep clogs, consider a telescoping 6-foot auger. These tools allow you to drop a button and extend the cable an extra three feet to reach slightly beyond the toilet flange.
How to Snake a Toilet With a Hanger
If you do not have an auger and stores are closed, a wire coat hanger is a classic DIY hack. Warning: metal hangers can scratch porcelain, so move carefully.
What You’ll Need
- Wire coat hanger: Use one with a plastic coating if possible to reduce scratching.
- Pliers: To cut and bend the wire.
- Bucket: For waste disposal.
1. Prepare the Hanger
Untwist the hanger or cut the hook off with pliers. Straighten the wire out as much as possible. Bend one end into a small, U-shaped hook. This hook mimics the tip of an auger and helps grab debris.
2. Fish for the Clog
Insert the hooked end into the drain. Maneuver it around the curve of the trap. Push and twist gently to locate the blockage.
Once you feel the obstruction, use a probing motion to break it up or hook it to pull it out. This method has a limited reach, so it only works for clogs sitting high in the trap.
When Should I Call a Plumber?
While snaking fixes most issues, some situations require a professional. Call a plumber if:
- Water backs up elsewhere: If flushing the toilet causes water to rise in the shower or sink, you have a main sewer line blockage.
- Constant clogs: If you have to snake the toilet weekly, you may have an offset pipe, roots, or a foreign object stuck deep in the line.
- Strange noises: Gurgling sounds from other drains indicate venting issues or serious backups.
- Leaks: Water pooling around the base of the toilet suggests the wax ring has failed.
Preventing a Clogged Toilet
Avoiding a clog is easier than fixing one. Follow these best practices to keep your plumbing flowing:
- Watch the paper: Don’t use too much toilet paper in a single session. Flush midway through if necessary.
- Ban the wipes: Even wipes labeled “flushable” do not break down like toilet paper. They are the leading cause of modern residential clogs.
- Close the lid: This prevents accidental falls of combs, toys, or toothbrushes into the bowl.
- Address flow issues: Ensure your tank flapper opens fully to provide a strong, clearing flush every time.
FAQs
Why Does My Toilet Keep Getting Clogged?
Recurring clogs usually stem from four issues. First, you might be flushing non-flushable items like wipes or feminine hygiene products. Second, your toilet flapper might not be lifting fully, causing a weak flush. Third, older low-flow toilets often lack the power to clear the trap efficiently. Finally, you may have a partial blockage further down the sewer line that catches debris.
How Much Do Toilet Snakes Cost?
A standard manual toilet auger is affordable, typically costing between $15 and $40 at hardware stores. Professional-grade augers with telescoping heads or heavy-duty cables can cost between $50 and $100.
What Happens If You Flush a Snake Down the Toilet?
It is nearly impossible to flush a manual toilet auger because the handle and guide tube are larger than the drain opening. However, if a detached piece of a tool falls in, do not flush. Call a plumber immediately to retrieve it before it travels deeper into your plumbing system.
Will a Toilet Eventually Unclog Itself?
Only if the clog consists solely of water-soluble waste and toilet paper. Over time, water breaks these materials down, and the clog may loosen. However, if the blockage involves wipes, toys, or hair, it will not unclog itself and will likely get worse over time.
Can I Use a Drain Snake on a Toilet?
You should avoid using a standard sink or tub drain snake on a toilet. Drain snakes lack the protective rubber sleeve found on toilet augers. Without this guard, the spinning metal coil will leave permanent gray scratches on the bottom of your porcelain bowl.
The Verdict
Learning how to snake a toilet is a valuable homeowner skill that saves time and money. With the right auger and a little patience, you can tackle almost any clog. If the problem persists despite your best efforts, do not hesitate to call a professional to protect your home’s plumbing.
