Can i snake a toilet

Once you have a good seal, pump the plunger down and up forcefully while sustaining the seal. Finally, pull the tool up sharply while breaking the air seal. You probably know that vinegar and baking soda are great at cleaning numerous surfaces, function as great deodorizers, and are helpful in keeping our drains running smoothly. We recommend you add a cup of baking soda to your blocked toilet and wait for some minutes.

Next, pour two cups of vinegar slowly into the toilet. Vinegar and baking soda will typically react to form bubbles, so ensure you pour carefully and slowly to prevent the toilet water from overflowing or splashing.

Allow the baking soda and vinegar mixture to work for a couple of minutes. You might need to repeat the process until the clog clears. The clog will clear when your toilet makes a fast suction sound and drains naturally thereafter.

Heat up a gallon of hot water on the stove and pour some dish soap into your toilet while the water is heating up. When the water is extremely hot, but not boiling, pour into the toilet carefully. Wait for minutes while the dish soap and hot water soften the clog. Turn the crank clockwise to release the cable steadily, applying slight downward pressure. If necessary, adjust the angle of entry. Dispose of it in the bucket.

If the blockage is in pieces, you may need to repeat this process until everything has been fished out. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies.

How to Snake a Toilet. By Nancy Fann-Im. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts.

Tips and Warnings. Things You'll Need. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Place the end of the snake into the toilet. Unfurl the snake and lower the bulbous metal end into the toilet bowl. Begin the feeding the snake into the mouth of the drain. At the end of the snake is a curved hook, which will help break up and grab debris that has accumulated in the pipes.

If it is not, wrap it in duct tape. If everything is properly inserted, you should not be able to see the cable. Turn the crank handle clockwise. Once the snake is in position, start steadily rotating the handle on the opposite end.

This will extend the snake and force its length slowly through the pipes. Plumbing snakes are constructed with flexible metal coils, so it will be able to bend and follow the contours of the pipes as it is unwound.

Unclogging a toilet with a snake is as simple as turning the crank a few times. Feel around for the clog in the pipes. If you notice the snake slowing down or coming to a stop, it may have encountered resistance.

Jostle the shaft slightly to help the snake loosen up whatever is stuck deep in the pipes. Continue turning the handle in a clockwise direction until the snake clears the pipe. Just keep winding and unwinding and let it wear down the clog on its own. Break up or pull out as much of the clog as you can.

After you locate and work over the clog, rotate the handle in the opposite direction counterclockwise to retract the snake and examine what it has collected. Always pull out the clog rather than trying force it deeper into the pipe.

Repeat this process until the pipe is completely unobstructed. This can be accomplished by rinsing the snake off outside with a garden hose. You can also leave the end of the snake in the toilet for a few flushes after you've added toilet bowl cleaner. Part 2. Cover the floor around the toilet. Lay down a couple of towels or a sheet of plastic to protect the floor.

This water will often become dingy as whatever is causing the clog disintegrates and leeches back through the pipes. Covering the floor can keep you from having to deal with a second mess later on. Wear gloves.