Invention idea needing feedback: Plunger with a snake in the handle.

[DaveFulton]

Hi I'm Dave and I have an invention idea that I've been thinking about for a while that I could really use some help from plumbers with.

The idea is to put a simple coiled snake into the handle of a toilet plunger to allow for easy unclogging on stubborn toilets. This wouldn't be industrial grade or anything, just enough to empower the owner if they have a bad toilet that gets clogged regularly.

Here is a link to the idea on Quirky.com quirky ideations | show It's a rough sketch but there is a better description there. If you can take a look and either respond here on this tread with your thoughts or on Quirky I would appreciate your professional opinions.

[SlowDrip]

I would never recommend snaking through a toilet, though. The snake will scratch the heck out of the finish. Remove the toilet, snake the pipe.

Just my two canadian cents.

[PrecisionPlumbing]

I agree, unless you put a teflon coating on the cable itll scratch

[thiggy]

Also, I would think that a snake through the plunger would negate the vacuum action that makes a plunger useful.

[DUNBAR PLUMBING]

Just like a closet auger, there has to be a 'hook' so the cable doesn't scratch up the visible part of the trapway.


Any cable less than 3/8" brings the risk of getting caught in the trapway by having too much flexibility by kinking or doubling back.

Whatever goes in, must come back out and if you pull back, the cable is going to grind the top part of the trapway.

Better make one and try it, see how you protect the visible porcelain.