Toilets are frequently blocked by items that should not be flushed, like toys or wet wipes. Using a plunger to clear the obstruction is often sufficient. However, a drain snake — especially a toilet auger — will be required in other circumstances. The following is how to snake a toilet:
· Set Up The Area
Put on some gloves and cover the toilet area with old towels, a plastic sheet, or anything else you don’t mind getting dirty.
· Insert The Auger Into The Toilet Bowl
Slide the auger into the toilet bowl. The metal end of the drain auger should be lowered into the drain, leaving just the rubber or plastic casing surrounding the cable visible.
· Lower The Auger
Manually or you could with the assistance of a motor, rotate the auger so that the cable falls further down the drain until it comes into touch with a blockage. In most circumstances, you won’t have to go far to find the bottleneck. However, to effectively lower the cable, you may need to reverse the direction a few times.
· Draw The Auger Back Up
Once you’ve grasped the clog in your toilet, start reversing the direction of the auger to pull it back up carefully. Again, if you’re using a motorized tool, expect some splashing as the snake returns to the surface.
· Flush The Toilet
Once you’ve removed whatever was clogging the drain, flush the toilet to ensure that everything is clear. You may need to snake the bathroom again to get up the complete obstruction.
Best Way to Snake a Sink Drain
When a kitchen or bathroom sink becomes clogged, snaking the drain can frequently assist in resolving the problem. To snake a kitchen or bathroom sink drain, follow these steps:
· Empty the P-trap
The first step is to remove and empty the P-trap, the curved part of the pipe right below the sink. Keep a bucket beneath the P-trap as you loosen it to keep the water from becoming a mess. In some circumstances, the blockage is inside the P-trap, and clearing it out resolves the issue.
· Remove The Trap Arm
Remove the trap arm, which is the portion of pipe that links the P-trap to the main drain stack in your wall. This is usually the best area to enter the auger, and in some situations, a blockage may be discovered in this piece of pipe, allowing you to avoid snaking the drain entirely.
· Insert the snake
You may now insert the drain snake. The method you use to push the snake into the line may vary depending on your snake. For example, a flat tape snake is generally sufficient for cleaning a bathroom sink. When you reach the main stack, press the cable down, whether you’re using a manual or power snake. Otherwise, the snake may crawl ahead into another sink linked horizontally in some plumbing configurations.
· Pull The Snake Out
When the snake encounters significant resistance, you’ve indeed found the blockage. If you’re using a flat tape snake, slide it as far forward as possible because the purpose is to move the clog down the line rather than draw it back up. Then, pull the snake around, keeping the debris beneath your sink to a minimum.
· Restore Plumbing And Test
Replace the P-trap and trap arm when you’ve successfully removed or dislodged the blockage. Ensure that all connections are snug to avoid a leak under your sink. Once everything is back in place, run the water to test whether it drains properly.
What Is the Best Way to Get a Drain Snake Around a Corner?
Getting around curves in the plumbing, especially right angles, is one of the most challenging aspects of employing a drain snake. Of course, getting around curves becomes easier with practice, but here are a few pointers to get your cable moving correctly.
Bend the end of the snake approximately 3 or 4 inches before inserting it to allow it to navigate around the corner when it encounters it more easily. When you get to a corner, you might also try pushing back on the cable just a little bit. This allows you to move the snake to be oriented toward the curve it must make. Then you may keep pushing the cable forward.
When a Drain Snake Doesn’t Work, What Should You Do?
There are various methods for unclogging a drain, so don’t give up if employing a drain snake doesn’t work. If a drain snake does not unclog a drain, it is usually time to bring in the pros.
A licensed plumber can analyze the issue, determine the problem, and repair it. Plumbers have access to heavier-duty drain augers than the ones you can buy at the store, so they may be able to clear obstructions that your drain snake cannot. Having a drain snaked is usually a very inexpensive procedure, so don’t be afraid to call in the professionals when necessary.
