How to Use a Motorized Drain Snake in a Toilet

Bathroom

You've plunged the toilet until you're blue in the face and tried a manual drain snake, to no avail. Whatever is in your drain is there to stay, and it's time to bring out the big guns. Before you call a plumber, consider renting a motorized drain snake. Available at most rental stores, this affordable alternative is not as complicated as it looks. Before you know it, you'll be flushing your cares away.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure Leather gloves Latex gloves Eye protection

Instructions

1. Measure the approximate distance from your toilet to the road or septic tank in a straight line; motorized drain snakes come with different lengths of cable and you will want to rent one that fits your needs.

2. Familiarize yourself with the snake's controls before you begin. Locate the on/off switch and the forward/reverse switch; you will want to go "Forward" to feed the line into the toilet and "Reverse" once the clog is cleared. Sometimes the forward/reverse is on a pedal attachment, depending on the model you rent. Some snakes come with an assortment of bits for different drain sizes; choose the size that most closely fits the diameter of your toilet drain.

3. Unwind a 5-foot length of cable from the snake, by hand and with the motor off. Make sure you wear latex gloves with a pair of leather gloves over them; this job is as unsanitary as it gets and you don't want the cable to tear your latex glove. Also wear eye protection from this point on.

4. Feed the cable by hand into the toilet; you will meet with some resistance as it moves through the curved area. You will be able to feel when it reaches the main drain when the cable moves freely.

5. Turn the drive switch to "Forward." With hands clear of the cable, turn the motor on. The snake will begin to feed the cable through the drain system towards the public sewer line or septic tank; notice that it rotates as it feeds.

6. Watch the cable as it unwinds. When it hits the clog, it will slow or stop the forward motion but will continue to rotate. Once the clog has moved, the snake will again feed out line.

7. Turn the motor to "Reverse" and allow it to reel the line back from the drain, again keeping your hands away from the cable. When the reel is almost full, turn of the motor and reel the last 5 feet out of the toilet by hand.

8. Flush the toilet to test your results. The water should flow freely. If it seems sluggish, repeat the process.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that this is a germy job; discard or sanitize your gloves when you're finished. Many houses have a main drain outlet, which is easier to work from than the toilet.

• Don't wear loose clothing when you're using this tool, as it may get caught in the moving cable.