What's the difference between a toilet snake and a drain snake?

Author: Berry Rowe  |  Last update: Friday, August 29, 2025

The toilet auger, also known as a water closet auger or a plumbing snake, tends to be more heavy-duty than drain snakes. They also typically have special bowl guards to minimize damage to your porcelain god.

Is it safe to use a drain snake in a toilet?

A snake will not hurt any drain material in good condition, not PVC, ABS, Cast Iron, Copper, etc if used in a normal manner. It also would be extremely hard to make it to happen on accident.

What is the best snake to use to unclog a toilet?

When toilets get clogged, a hand-crank toilet snake or auger is the ideal solution. The best toilet augers feature a vinyl coating over the cable. The vinyl coating will help protect the bowl against scratches and marks as you work.

What is better than a drain snake?

Hydro- jetting service from a professional plumber is a better option if you have a sewer line clog or if other methods are not effective in treating your clogs. Homes with plumbing systems that have weaker pipes that might not be able to withstand pressurized cleaning should also consider using a drain snake.

What is the strongest thing to unclog a toilet?

One of the strongest substances for unclogging a toilet is a commercial drain cleaner specifically designed for toilet clogs. These cleaners typically contain powerful chemicals that dissolve organic matter and stubborn blockages.

Toilet Auger Vs Drain Snake (Which Drain Opener is Best) Easy Cleaning Hacks

Is there anything you can put down a toilet to unclog it?

Want to learn how to unclog a toilet without a plunger or snake? Try soap! Just drop a few tablespoons of dish soap into your toilet bowl, followed by hot water. Let everything sit for 15 minutes, then flush.

What not to do when unclogging a toilet?

3 Ways NOT to Unclog Your Toilet (Unless You Want to Damage It)
  1. Using chemical drain cleaners (like Drano) Most chemical drain cleaners clear your drain by breaking down the clog with a chemical reaction. ...
  2. Plunging down too hard. ...
  3. Using the wrong plumber's snake.

Is a toilet snake different than a drain snake?

The toilet auger, also known as a water closet auger or a plumbing snake, tends to be more heavy-duty than drain snakes. They also typically have special bowl guards to minimize damage to your porcelain god.

Is hydro jetting better than snaking?

Typically, professional plumbers will start with a snake, since most clogs are relatively minor. But hydro jetting may be the best option for clogs in multiple drains or severe clogs that continue to recur.

Do you use Drano before or after snake?

First the drain snake loosens the clog—then the powerful Drano® gel clears it away! The 23-inch flexible tool bends safely through your pipes, and the Drano® Pro Concentrate Gel powers through the clog.

Why is my drain snake not unclogging my toilet?

If your snake isn't unclogging your drains, it could be because the thumbscrew is loose, the clog is too severe, or the auger is dirty. Or maybe you just need a refresher on how to use a drain snake.

What drain snake do plumbers use?

Electric augers are often used for larger pipes and main sewer lines, making them a common choice for professional plumbers. Sectional Cable Machines: These are heavy-duty drain cleaning machines used primarily by professional plumbers.

Can you damage your drain with a snake?

If you use the wrong type of drain snake for the drain line, the snake could loop back on itself or scrape the sides of the plumbing pipe, causing damage that could lead to leaks and/or the need to replace the damaged piece of pipe.

Why does my toilet always get clogged?

If Your Toilet Keeps Clogging, Here's Why. The Short Answer Is: A toilet can repeatedly clog due to several reasons, including inadequate flushing power, an obstructed trap or drainpipe, or an accumulation of non-flushable materials like toilet paper, hygiene products, or foreign objects.

How much does Roto Rooter charge for hydro jetting?

A sewer camera inspection costs $125 to $500 if you hire a local plumber or $295 to $350 from Roto-Rooter. Cleaning a main sewer line costs $150 to $500 for snaking or $250 to $800 for hydro jetting, depending on the individual plumber's rates.

Can hydro jetting damage old pipes?

If done incorrectly, it could damage aging pipes. For example, cast iron pipes can be brittle due to rust and corrosion. Too much pressure in hydro jet drain cleaning could crack or collapse them.

Why is hydro jetting so expensive?

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: cost. Hydro jetting can be pricier than traditional methods due to the equipment and expertise required, with average hydro jetting costs ranging anywhere from $800 to $2,500 depending on the scope and complexity of the piping system.

What kind snake is best for a toilet?

If You Buy Only One, Get the Ryobi P4001 Drain Snake

The flexible cable is 25 feet long, enough to reach deep into waste pipes, and it feeds and retracts automatically when you pull the trigger. This is a good tool for clearing clogs from toilets, sink drains and even some sewer pipes.

Is it worth buying a drain snake?

It might be worth the cost if it's a simple clog you can clear with a store-bought snake. A store-bought drain snake may be effective against: Hair – Even cheap plastic drain snakes can provide enough grip to pull hair clogs out of the shower or sink drains.

How much for a plumber to snake a toilet?

Although the cost of a plumber to snake your drain can vary depending on where you live, the severity of your clog, and the type of drain that needs snaking, you can generally expect to spend anywhere between $125-$800.

Will letting a clogged toilet sit unclog it?

Leaving a clogged toilet overnight may seem like a harmless way to put off an unpleasant task, but it can lead to more significant issues. The most obvious problem is that the clog might not magically disappear. Instead, it can worsen as the blockage hardens or settles deeper into the pipes.

What is the best liquid to unclog a toilet?

Drano for toilets is a popular choice for many homeowners when dealing with stubborn clogs. This powerful product has been a trusted solution for many years, effectively breaking down and dislodging blockages that can cause significant inconvenience and potential damage in the bathroom.

How do you unclog a severely clogged toilet?

Make your own drain cleaner by pouring one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar into the toilet and adding a half gallon of hot water. Dish soap can also help loosen some obstructions. When using either method, allow the solution to sit overnight and then flush the toilet to see if the obstruction has cleared.

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