What is a toilet snake called?

A plumber's snake or drain snake is a slender, flexible auger used to dislodge clogs in plumbing. The plumber's snake is often reserved for difficult clogs that cannot be loosened with a plunger. It is also sometimes called a toilet jack.

Is a toilet auger the same as a snake?

Snakes are the smaller counterpart to toilet augers. They're normally not the idea choice for a toilet clog but will work in a pinch if that's all you've got. However, snakes are ideal for smaller drains such as sinks and bathtubs. The biggest difference between drain snakes and augers is how they remove the clogs.

What's a toilet auger?

What Is a Toilet Auger? A toilet auger is a specialized form of drain snake. Like other types of drain snakes, it has a handle that rotates a flexible metal cable that can bore through drain clogs.

What kind of snake does a plumber use?

A standard household drain snake, sometimes called a drum snake or top snake, is the smallest of the drain-clearing augers. It is primarily used for clogs in tubs, showers, bathroom sinks, washing machines, and sometimes kitchens sinks. Most have a 25- or 50-foot cable with a corkscrew tip for snagging debris.

Can a toilet auger damage your toilet?

In fact, it can cause more harm than good, as it can cause the porcelain in your toilet to crack or chip. It can also cause pipe damage or even full breakage.

How To Use a Toilet Snake Properly | Clogged Blocked Toilet Repair using Toilet Auger

How much does a toilet auger cost?

A toilet auger, also known as a plumber's snake or drain snake, is a long, flexible tool that dislodges clogs that cannot be loosened via a regular household plunger. Getting an auger is easy—a good one costs less than $100, and some can be found for under $10.

What is the best snake to unclog a toilet?

Can you use a plumbers snake on a toilet?

To unclog toilets that couldn't be fixed with a plunger, use a toilet auger. Also called a plumbing snake, this flexible coil of wire is designed to extend into pipes and clear obstructions without damaging the plumbing. Feed the end of the cable into the toilet, taking care not to scratch the bowl.

What's the easiest way to unclog a toilet?

Hot Water and Dish Soap

When the water is extremely hot, but not boiling, pour into the toilet carefully. Wait for 10-15 minutes while the dish soap and hot water soften the clog. Once you do so, the toilet will unclog and flush freely.

What happens if a toilet auger doesn't work?

You need to make sure that you've securely tightened thumbscrew(the piece that secures the cable inside the drum or handle). If the thumbscrew is loose, the cable will not rotate at all when you twist the handle. The cable rotation is how the drain snake picks up debris, so if it can't do this, your auger won't work.

How do you remove hard stuff from a toilet?

What is the difference between a drain snake and an auger?

Drain snakes work for smaller drains like your kitchen or bathroom sink. Drain augers tackle larger pipes like your toilet or shower drain. The snake covers lines from 1-1/4″ – 2″ range, and you'll use an auger for lines in the 1-1/2″ – 3″ range.

What is a sewer snake?

A plumbing snake is a tool that you can use to remove clogs that block drains and piping. It looks similar to a hose but has a much different purpose. A plumbing snake is a long, flexible metal cable with a small uncoiled spring, or an auger, on one end and a handle on the other.

Can a drain snake damage pipes?

If you have a clogged pipe, a drain snake is a simple and cheap tool you can use to fix it. These are advertised as devices that anyone can use to unclog a drain. But if used improperly, drain augers could make the clog worse. You could jam the obstruction in there tighter, or worse, do damage to your pipes.

What can naturally unclog a toilet?

As an alternative to using dish soap and no plunger, try this all-natural solution. Pour one cup baking soda and two cups vinegar into the toilet. Allow it fizz for a half hour. If clog doesn't dissipate, try the hot water trick.

Will a toilet unclog by itself?

A clogged toilet will typically unclog itself over time. Most things that clog a toilet are water-soluble which means they will eventually dissolve in the toilet water. When the clog is given enough time to break down, the pressure of a flush should be enough to clear the pipes.

How much does a plumbing snake cost?

If you need to have a kitchen sink or bathroom sink snaked, you can expect to pay between $150 and $250. Some minor snaking jobs may total as little as $100. Tub drains will be a bit more costly because additional work is required to get to the drainpipe.

Are drain snakes safe?

Drain Snakes Pose a Risk of Injury

If used improperly, the tool can recoil at you at high speeds, creating the potential for serious injury. The risk is even higher when using a much more powerful electric drain snake. Losing control of a drain snake is quite easy and could happen to anyone with little experience.

Can I snake my own drain?

For smaller clogs, snaking your own drain is possible. Routine, minor sink clogs from hairballs or food remnants are typically located in the U-shaped trap directly below the sink or only a few feet deeper in the drainpipe. They may be cleared by using a light-gauge, hand-operated auger.

Does Walmart sell toilet snakes?

Ridgid Drain Snakes Toilet Augers, 48 in L - Walmart.com.

How much does it cost to fix a gurgling toilet?

If the blockage is close to the surface, this should be able to remove it. If that doesn't work, try a drain snake, sewer snake, or a plumber's auger down the drain hole to clear the pipe. If you have one, and you're handy with it, a decent auger can cost up to $300.

Do plumbers fix clogged toilets?

A professional plumber can diagnose and repair this serious problem. The toilet is gurgling.