How to Snake a Toilet in Less Than Five Minutes
If you’ve ever had to snake a toilet, you know it can take some time. With a clogged toilet, it can also take some time to fix the problem. If you don’t have the time or the inclination to snake a toilet, you can try using this plunger technique instead; it works in just a few minutes and won’t require any tools. WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T PUSH! That could break the seal and cause even more damage. Instead, use the gentle suction to slowly and carefully dislodge whatever is stuck. If you still find yourself struggling after trying these methods, give us a call we can help.
What You’ll Need
To snake your way through a toilet, you will need some items that you probably already have lying around your house.
First, you will need a flashlight and some tools that are specifically designed for plumbing work such as pliers or wire cutters.
Second, you will need a coat hanger or wire frame and some tape.
Third, you will need either water or soap.
Fourth, and finally, you will need an open space on the other side of the toilet bowl so that you can crawl out.
How to Do It
1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet. You can do this by turning the valve under the sink or using a shutoff valve on the side of the tank.
2. Detach the hose from the water spigot and place it below the rim of the toilet bowl. Make sure that you have a firm grip on the end of the hose so that it doesn’t move around as you snake it up into position.
3. Put on gloves and position yourself near one end of the hose, so that you’re in line with where it exits from under the bowl. Hold onto one end of the hose with both hands and slowly pull up on it until you reach your target area. Be prepared for resistance; if necessary, use some muscle to pull up on the hose until it reaches its destination.
4. Release your grip on one end of the hose and quickly insert your other hand into the opening underneath where you just pulled it up, Palm upward so that water sprays into your face (yes, this really happens!). Now quickly release your grip on both ends of hose and flush!
5. Use the end of the hose to put pressure on the closed valve below the sink, keeping the water shut off until you’re finished.
6. Remove the gloves and dispose of them in a safe place.
7. Close the valve below the sink and turn on the water supply to the toilet.
Tips for a Successful Snake
If your goal is to snake a toilet for the purposes of flushing, here are some tips to help you get the job done quickly and effectively:
1. If your toilet has a manual flush mechanism, first ensure that it’s in the up position by pulling down on the handle. This will open up the trap and allow water to start filling up the tank.
2. Clear any obstructions from around the drain opening with a plunger or stick before beginning your snake procedure. This includes anything that may be caught in the chain or gears of your snake, as well as any small objects that may have lodged themselves in the overflow drain below.
3. Make sure all of your supplies are close at hand before getting started: pipe clamps, snake head, bucket, trowel or shovel, and cleaning supplies (including bleach if necessary).
4. Start by positioning your pipe clamp around one end of the pipe where you want it to intersect with the trap drain opening. Make sure that it’s squarely against the lip of the drain so that it won’t move during your procedure. Drive a stake into the ground next to your clamp to keep it in place while you’re working.
5. Next, connect your pipe clamp to your snake head using a flexible coupling (if available). The coupling should be large enough so that you can adjust its length as needed, but not so big that it becomes cumbersome to use; you’ll need plenty of
Conclusion
If you’re ever in a hurry and need to snake a toilet, this quick video will show you how. With just a little practice, you’ll be able to do it in less than five minutes!