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Snake the Drain to Clear the Clog — Clear Blockages in the Toilet Drain Line

Beginner3 hours

Part of project

Gurgling Toilet: Troubleshooting and Repair Guide · Step 2 of 2

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In this video

Take your manual drain snake and begin feeding the end of it into the open cleanout pipe. Continue to push the snake into the drain until you feel resistance, which indicates you have reached the clog. Once you've hit the clog, begin to work the snake back and forth with firm, pushing and pulling motions. This action will help to break up the material causing the blockage. You will know the clog is cleared when the backed-up water suddenly drains away.

Goal: Drain Unclogging (Clearing clogged drains and pipes.)

  • You may need to pull the snake back slightly and push it forward again from different angles to effectively break up a stubborn clog.

Used in this video

  • Drain snake (Tool Type: Drain snake, Auger Type: Drain auger) — To reach and break up the clog in the sewer line.
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The Savvy Professor

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FAQs

How can I quickly determine if my gurgling toilet is due to a vent issue or a drain line clog?

Check other drains in your home. If sinks, showers, or other toilets are also draining slowly or gurgling, it points to a main drain or vent stack issue. If only the toilet gurgles, the clog is likely isolated to its drain line.

What essential safety precautions should I take before climbing onto the roof to inspect the vent stack?

Always use a sturdy, properly secured ladder and have someone spot you. Wear non-slip shoes, avoid working in wet or windy conditions, and be mindful of power lines. Ensure the ladder extends at least three feet above the roofline.

Is a special camera tool necessary to inspect the vent stack, or can I clear it without one?

While a camera (like a plumber's snake with a camera) can precisely locate a clog, it's not strictly necessary. You can often clear a vent stack by carefully flushing water down it with a garden hose or using a plumber's snake, feeling for obstructions.

My plumbing snake isn't clearing the drain clog after several attempts. What should I do next?

If your 25 ft. plumbing snake isn't reaching or clearing the obstruction, the clog might be deeper in the main drain line or more stubborn than anticipated. At this point, it's often best to consult a professional plumber who has longer augers and specialized equipment.

Transcript
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Now, the next thing I'm going to do is get out my snake, which is not a fancy snake. It's not one that hooks up to a drill bit. It's just a long thin snake with a circular piece on the end. And it has a little bit of a sharp point that kind of, you just use it to ram into the clog and hopefully it unclogs. Now, this has worked for me in the past, and so this is what I use every time I get this clog. Now, I am going to show you this and how I did it. But I am going to say that with this clog because it is recurring, I really do need to get a plumber out here and have him put a camera down there and find out exactly what is going on to determine if I need to get some sort of a rotor router type thing that's going to chop up branches or to determine if I need to just dig down and replace the pipe. Anyway, this is just the rest of the video. It's just me working on this clog and showing you how I get it done. And I hope you enjoy this video. I hope it's helpful for somebody. And I'm going to stop talking and just let you watch. Thanks for watching.

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.