Our Plumbing Expert Weighs In On Using A Hanger To Unclog Your Toilet In A Pinch

Some clogs surpass the plunger and require a toilet auger cable, AKA a snake. These professional tools shimmy down the drain and break up the stoppage so your water can flush freely again. However, if you don't have a toilet snake, various blogs suggest grabbing a wire hanger as a makeshift cable. In an exclusive interview, we spoke to plumbing expert Eduardo Linares at Frontdoor to get his take on this DIY toilet snake.

"No, I would not recommend this in all cases," Linares said. Even if someone might have had success with this method before, he warned, "Not all drains are put together using the same materials and fittings." Pushing a wire hanger down the toilet drain can not only cause cosmetic troubles like scratched porcelain but also damage the drain mechanisms and lead to worse issues. Linares shares what to do instead to save your toilet from going out of commission.

In theory, a wire hanger seems like a safe toilet snake alternative, but Eduardo Linares told House Digest that even in an emergency, it's not a good idea. "The reason we say don't use a hanger is that some drains use slip joint connections that can come apart when putting a wire hanger down it," the expert explained. It has to do with the hanger's rigid structure. Although bendable, it requires too much force to twist through the drain. "Using a wire hanger could cause a hole in a thin chrome drain or a tubular plastic drain," Linares added.

Cracks or holes in the toilet's draining system would require a professional for repairs and replacement parts, which can end up costing several hundred dollars. So it's best to leave the hanger for your button-ups. While this DIY fix is off the table, Linares did share what tools you can use when you're in a pinch and don't have a toilet snake.

"You can find an alternative to a professional drain cable at most hardware stores, such as flexible hair removal tools, flex cable drain openers, as well as other available options," Eduardo Linares told House Digest. "These can work and reduce the risk of damaging your drain." Home Depot sells kits of those hair unclog wands for roughly $6. You can keep a few of these expert-approved alternatives underneath the bathroom sink, so they are handy when the plunger needs extra help.

However, these devices won't be able to fix every clog. "When the drain cannot be cleared using methods such as a plunger, hair removal tool, or other home remedies, it's time to call a professional," Linares advised. An expert plumber will have the right equipment that can fix your toilet without any wire hanger risks. Plus, if your toilet keeps clogging, it is best to let the specialists take a look.