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.
Why a Sewer Snake Might Not Fully Clear a Clog. Limited Reach: Plumbing snakes have a limited reach and may not be able to reach deep-seated clogs or obstructions in the sewer line. Hardened Blockages: Some clogs, such as hardened grease or mineral deposits, may be resistant to the twisting action of a plumbing snake.
Failure to tighten the thumbscrew is a common reason behind drain snakes that are not working. Make sure that the thumbscrew that secures the cable inside the drum or handle is securely tightened. If it is not, the cable will not rotate at all when you twist the handle.
Start by pouring about one cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl, followed by two cups of vinegar. This mixture will create a foaming action that can break down the clog. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, and then flush the 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.
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.
You Could Make the Clog Worse
For example, if the clog is caused by mineral buildup from hard water, the snake may scrape off pieces of the buildup, only to push them deeper into the pipe. This could result in a larger blockage that's even harder to remove.
Tighten the Thumbscrew
If you hit an obstacle and the cable will not rotate, the thumbscrew likely needs to be tightened. A handle on the side of the snake drum has a place for you to insert a corkscrew and tighten the drain auger. Tighten the auger as much as you can before continuing to snake.
Yes, a toilet can unclog itself over time, but it depends on what is causing the blockage.
It may be because your toilet drain is clogged, a faulty water tank, low water pressure, or even the design of your toilet. The good news is that it is easy to fix this problem. You can either get in touch with a professional plumber or try it yourself.
Letting a clogged toilet sit too long can result in more severe problems. Beyond the risk of overflow and water damage, the clog could also cause toilet water to back up into other parts of your plumbing system, affecting sinks, showers, and even your home's main sewer line.
Placing it in warm water to soak for 15-30 minutes daily can be a big help in some cases. Many times, by the time we see it, we need to go in surgically and literally clean out the impacted area of intestine.
The main difference between a toilet auger vs. snake is how they remove materials clogging a pipe. A snake is designed to pull out clogs. Augers are more for forcing through a blockage and breaking it up.
One common question people ask is, “Can plunging make a clog worse?” The short answer is yes, but only if you're not using toilet plungers correctly. Using too much force or plunging too vigorously can push the clog further down the drain, making it harder to remove.
As far as home solutions, the snake is your strongest drain unblocker. It can be very helpful to keep a plumber's auger or snake in the house. You have to be a bit more careful with snakes than you would be with a chemical cleaner, however. Make sure you're not jamming the snake too hard or rotating too violently.
When a drain clog is ignored, the consequences can be serious. Left unchecked, a clogged drain can lead to a variety of plumbing problems, from reduced water pressure to flooding and sewage backups.
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.
You will want to make sure you get the right size auger for snaking your drain. Using the incorrect one could cause the snake to loop back on itself and scrape the insides of the drain. This could lead to coercion, leaks, and could end up causing damage to an extent that requires replacement of the piping.
Baking Soda And Vinegar
Instead of creating a volcano, this vinegar and baking soda mixture will work together to loosen up the clog in almost no time. We suggest wearing rubber gloves for this. As this method creates a pretty chemical reaction, it is recommended that you use it in a toilet bowl that is not too full.
The Santeen Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener proved to be the most potent among all the chemical drain cleaners we tested, effectively dissolving 80% of the hair, 80% of the organic matter, 40% of the grease and 76% of the paper products.
Pouring dish soap down a toilet will unclog many obstructions. Pour 1/2- to 1-cup of dish soap directly in the toilet water and wait about 30 minutes before flushing. Follow the dish soap with a gallon of hot water if dish soap alone does not work.