When you flush your toilet and it does not function in the correct manner, you experience a unique form of disruption. This may be very frustrating. The sight of the water level increasing rather than falling as it travels down the drainpipe elicits a range of feelings in the viewer. Distress, dread, and rage. And having a toilet that is blocked is far more unpleasant than just being disgusting or being a pain in the behind. It cannot be avoided.

When times are tough, you’ll be glad to know that there are a few resources available that may be of tremendous assistance to you. In this article, we’ll concentrate on a few of different choices, namely the toilet auger and the snake. So, know the difference between a toilet auger and a snake.

What are Toilet Augers and Snakes, and Why Do You Need Them? What Is the Difference Between the Two?

At first appearance, these drain snakes and toilet augers seem to have a lot in common with one another. Both of them make use of extended lengths of flexible cable that is wound into a coil, crank handles, and specialised spear points.

On the other hand, there are some key distinctions between the two.

Toilet Augers

Drain snakes are often made of far more flimsy material than toilet augers are. And as the phrase suggests, they are intended just for use in restrooms. An auger works its way down a drain until it reaches the dreaded clog, and it is often fitted with specialised bowl guards that are designed to prevent the porcelain bowl from being damaged as much as possible. It is precisely at this point when an auger may be distinguished from a drain snake. A more durable construction and a closed-spear tip on the end of the auger are what allow it to push through the impediment. The objective of using an auger is to break up the blockage so that it may be moved through the sewage system in the regular manner.

Drain Snakes

Snakes are comparable in size to toilet augers but are much more slender. They are not generally the best option for unclogging a toilet, but they may be useful in a hurry if you just have those items available.

However, snakes work very well in more compact drains, such as those found in sinks and bathtubs. The manner in which obstructions are cleared out by drain snakes and augers is the primary distinction between the two. An auger is meant to break through the blockage by forcing its way through, whereas a snake is intended to remove it by pulling it back out the way it went in.

The end of a drain snake is fitted with a specialised hook that catches on to the obstruction and secures it in place so that it may be extracted. A number of the augers available are equipped with a hook or another kind of gripping tip. However, they are more effective in pipelines with bigger diameters since they can just force their way through.

Instructions for Using an Auger in the Toilet and a Drain Snake

Very few augers and snakes come with an instruction manual or user’s guide to their operation. And we are of the opinion that this is a fairly poor plan. Incorrect usage of either one may result in significant damage to the plumbing in your home or to your toilet. Therefore, if you’ve never used one before, pay very careful attention to what’s going on. Either an auger or a snake may be operated in a manner that is comparable. After all, they’re both merely flexible cabling in their fundamental form. Having said that, there are a few crucial particulars that you need to pay attention to.

Which Is Best Suited to Your Needs?

There is really just one question you need to ask in order to identify which tool will serve your needs the best. Where exactly is the obstruction that you have? Choose to use a toilet auger in the event that your toilet is blocked. They are purpose-built to clear even the most stubborn blockages in plumbing systems. You should only use a drain snake if you have exhausted all other options, such as an auger. But if you have a blockage in the sink or the bathtub, you should put away the auger. Take the role of the snake.

Chad Carson

Chad Carson

Chad Carson is a veteran journalist focusing on home maintenance. With a background in engineering, he has been sharing his home maintenance and safety expertise. Before his current role, he worked as a safety consultant, providing him with valuable insights. His experience includes a decade-long stint in a leading home safety equipment company. Chad's writing combines technical knowledge with user-friendly advice. Outside work, he is a marathon runner and a volunteer firefighter. He also enjoys woodworking and hiking.

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