In simple terms a toilet snake consists of a flexible length of cable, usually around 6 feet, that is extended into the toilet trap-way to clear away a toilet clog. To some home owners using a toilet snake may seem rather complicated, but in reality once you understand the basic technique, you’ll quickly come to realize why it’s the tool of choice for plumbers.

Before we get into detail on how to snake a toilet we should take a moment to explain some terminology as it can become rather confusing at times. A toilet snake is also referred to as a toilet auger, a closet snake, a plumber’s snake, a closet auger or a plumber’s friend. You’ll often find different terms used interchangeably in the same article. The best designs are shaped like a J. The bottom of the J is coated with a protective rubber sleeve as this is the part of the tool that will come into contact with the porcelain of your toilet and you want to avoid any scratching or damage.

Hanging off the “working end” of the tool you’ll notice a small “bit” typically made from coiled wire. The bit is attached to the flexible cable which extends out of the tool when the handle is turned at the other end. The goal when using a toilet snake is to feed the cable right up to the toilet clog, turn the handle a couple more times so that the bit drives into and hooks onto the clog, and then turn the handle the other way to pull the cable and the clog back into the toilet bowl. From here the clog can be removed and disposed of. Of course a toilet snake can also work by pushing the clog out into the main drain, but it’s probably best practice to try and remove it from your plumbing system completely as it could cause a blockage in another location.

Although some plumbers will use a standard drain auger to snake a toilet, you will run the risk of damaging the toilet bowl. A drain snake is simply a flexible cable wrapped around a circular drum so there’s no protective coating. You may also find it hard to feed the device through the S-shaped curves of the toilet trap way as you don’t have that useful J shaped feeder to help things on their way.

If you’re in the market for a toilet snake don’t opt for the cheapest model as these are often made from flimsy materials that can break in the toilet. Be prepared to spend around $40-$50 to get a good quality model. The good news is that this is still cheaper than a standard plumber’s call-out fee. You’ll find toilet snakes available in most decent sized household stores as well as online.