Plumbers use different devices to help unclog your drain. These are all similar looking but not the same, so knowing how they work is important for a smooth and successful plumbing experience.
DIY Using Snakes And Plungers
It’s fairly unusual for do-it-yourselfers to confuse toilet drains with flat drains (sinks and tubs). To clear blockages in both, they often use one snake and one plunger. However, since these drains are different, you need to use a different sort of snake and plunger for the greatest results. Because, although serving the same purpose, they all operate in slightly different ways.
Snake Vs. Toilet Auger
Toilet augers, also known as water closet augers or plumbing snakes, are often more powerful than drain snakes. They also usually come with specific bowl protectors to protect your porcelain deity. They work by winding a coil down the clogged toilet drain until it hits the obstacle, which is controlled by a manual crank. At that time, its closed-spear tip tries to break apart the blockage and push it through the sewage system normally.
The drain snake, also known as a top snake or drum snake, is used to clean drains in sinks and bathtubs. These can be manual or automatic, but either way, they’re generally more lightweight than a toilet auger despite having a longer coil. The main distinction between snakes and augers comes into play when the coil approaches the barrier. Rather than break up the obstruction, the snake uses its open hook tip to grab it and pull it out the way it came in.
So, do you know how to snake a toilet? If you’re in a hurry, you can, but you risk damaging the bowl and maybe getting it stuck in the drain.
Using A Snake Or A Toilet Auger
Because few augers and snakes come with instructions, here’s how to use them (and although they manage clogs differently, you’ll use them both in the same way).
What Is A Toilet Auger And How Do I Use It?
- Place the auger’s cabling in your toilet bowl, with the curved end towards the drainpipe. Between the drainpipe and the auger handle, leave approximately 5 inches of cabling.
- Hold the toilet auger shaft in one hand and gently turn the auger clockwise to start feeding the cable into the toilet drain.
- When you feel resistance, you’ve reached the blockage with the cable. Turning the auger should come to a halt.
- Start driving the auger forward with pressure to attempt to break up or remove the blockage.
- This signifies that the blockage has been removed when resistance fades. Then gradually re-crank the cable.
- Give the toilet a flush when the cable has been entirely withdrawn from the toilet drain to see whether the blockage has been effectively broken up.
- Repeat the procedure if the toilet is still not draining correctly. Some obstructions need many efforts to remove.
What Is A Drain Snake And How Do I Use It?
- Remove the drain hole cover if necessary before inserting the drain snake into the drain hole.
- To feed the snake down the drain, spin the manual crank (or turn on the motor if using an electric snake).
- When you feel resistance, you’ve reached the blockage with the cable.
- Begin carefully twisting the snake’s end into the obstruction to grab the clog with the hook tip now at the source of the problem.
- When you can no longer twist, try manually or automatically retracting the snake to remove the impediment.
- If you’re successful, the offending object will get entangled in your snake, and you’ll be able to throw it away.
- Check to verify sure the faucet is correctly draining. If not, go through the procedure again. Some obstructions need many efforts to remove.
Cup Plunger Compared To A Toilet Plunger
Plungers aren’t all made equal! So, what’s the difference between the two? The toilet plunger, also known as a flange plunger, has a longer handle and a soft, smaller cup (called a flange) that extends down the plunger’s bottom end. The flange is intended to fit within a regular toilet drain’s odd angle, which makes a more efficient seal since a toilet drain isn’t level on a surface. This permits the user to exert a greater force on the obstruction.
Sink plungers, also known as cup plungers, are best used on flat surfaces such as sinks and bathtubs. There is no need for a flange since the surface is flat. Instead, the flat cup helps to remove the blockage by creating a vacuum over the drain.
How To Use A Plunger To Unclog A Toilet
In our lifetimes, most of us have dived at least one toilet. But have you ever considered if there is a better way? Stop flushing if the bowl seems to be backing up and let it drain on its own (this may take up to 10 minutes). Examine the water level in the bowl with your toilet flange plunger. If the bowl is almost empty, fill it halfway with water using a bucket. When plunging, it’s critical to have a sufficient volume of water in the bowl. This will enhance the suction and, as a result, the dive will be more successful.
If the water level remains full beyond the given time, turn off the water valve and drain the surplus water into a bucket to reach the half-full level. Then, with fast up-and-down thrusts, begin diving. Turn the water back on and try flushing after you’re finished. It’s possible that you’ll have to repeat the procedure multiple times.
How To Use A Plunger To Unclog A Sink
Begin by draping a damp towel over the overflow drain, if one exists. This will assist keep air from escaping and lowering your suction force. Place the cup plunger for sinks over the blocked sink or shower drain and secure it. If there is standing water, ensure that there is sufficient to thoroughly immerse the cup (if not, add some water to increase suction). Remove excess water into a bucket if necessary. Just enough to cover the cup is all that’s needed.
Now is the time to take the leap! Apply fast, careful thrusts down the drain, without elevating the plunger enough to break the seal. Continue for about 20 seconds. The obstruction should be freed when you remove the plunger. If it hasn’t cleared, try again, but this time line the rim of the cup with a little quantity of petroleum jelly to create a tighter seal.
Wear gloves, goggles, and a nose-and-mouth mask if you’ve previously put drain-clearing chemicals into the toilet, tub, or sink. You don’t want these toxic substances to come into touch with your skin or eyes, or enter into your respiratory system, thus plunging may cause splashing.
Need Help? A Plumber Is Here For You!
Snaking and plunging can’t remove all clogs. It’s a good place to start, but if the obstruction remains obstinate, call a professional for residential drain cleaning. They have special equipment that can likely take care of the issue in no time. Remember, it’s better to ask for a little help now than pay for a lot of pipe repair later!
Once your drains are clear, the next task is to improve your drinking water quality. Find out more in Water Filtration Process: How Do Water Filters Work?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a toilet auger better than a snake?
A: It is best to use a snake as it will leave no damage behind.
Can a drain auger be used on a toilet?
A: A drain auger can be used on a toilet if the handle is removed.
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