How To Use A Toilet Auger
There isn?t anything more embarrassing than a toilet clog, and many times a plunger just won?t cut the mustard. However, if you?ve read the plumbing info in the past you know we are big fans of keeping a toilet auger around. There are very few toilet clogs we have encountered that can?t be taken care of with minimal effort or stress with a 6ft toilet auger. So before you run to Google your local plumber, invest in a toilet auger first.
Everyone has had that sickening feeling, you flush the toilet, the water quickly rises in the bowl and a range of emotions washes over you in a short time. Will the water pressure push the blockage down the trap before it overflows? Please let the water stop rising or God forbid you?re in a guest?s house. When facing a toilet clog that won?t budge, even after trying the silly cup plunger sitting next to the toilet (Cup plumbers aren?t meant for toilet clogs.), a toilet auger is a much a better bet for the job. A toilet auger is a tool that is designed to funnel itself through a toilet?s trap-way, to remove any obstruction or clog. The great thing about a closet auger is that not only can they clear the water closet trap way they can also remove a clog that has moved past the toilet into the waste line. If you have a 3ft toilet auger you can reach blockages about 2ft into the waste line, if you?ve invested in a 6ft toilet auger (Recommended) you can reach blockages about 5ft into the waste line. Why is a toilet auger so much better than a plunger? Because, many times when using a plunger all you?re doing is pushing the blockage past the toilet into your waste line. A toilet auger is breaking up the blockage so it can flow down the waste line.
If you want to know how to use a toilet auger, you?re going to want to check out if its design is applicable for the clog and toilet?s plumbing structure.
Many augers may either have the following:
You?ll want to know how to use a toilet auger in the event of a severely clogged toilet that is unresponsive, plungers, or other tools. Typically a toilet auger has an extendable flexible shaft with a protective guide tube, is constructed from metal, and has a crank handle at the end.
The length of a toilet auger may vary, so you?ll want to keep in mind the extent of a toilet auger?s reach when attempting to clear a toilet drain. Most toilet augers extend anywhere between 3 to 6 feet in length to remove clogs.
A closed coil head to push through clogs
A closed coil head to push through clogs
An open coil head which hooks onto items
A fixed head goes through narrower drains
Avoid excessive force when pushing the auger cable through, it may risk damaging the toilet or pipes. Use slow controlled motions to feed the auger into the drain, and remove it to prevent accidents. Depending on the design of the toilet auger, it may have the potential to recoil back and cause injury.
If the toilet auger is unsuccessful removing the clog, you may want to call for professional plumbing services to come in and help. It is also helpful to keep some troubleshooting ideas in mind when using a toilet auger to clear a clog. If you want to know how to use a toilet auger, you?ll want to have some patience to get things done right.
Avoid excessive force when pushing the auger cable through, it may risk damaging the toilet or pipes. Use slow controlled motions to feed the auger into the drain, and remove it to prevent accidents. Depending on the design of the toilet auger, it may have the potential to recoil back and cause injury.
If the toilet auger is unsuccessful removing the clog, you may want to call for professional plumbing services to come in and help. It is also helpful to keep some troubleshooting ideas in mind when using a toilet auger to clear a clog. If you want to know how to use a toilet auger, you?ll want to have some patience to get things done right.
Extendable augers allow you to release more of the toilet auger?s cable into the toilet once you have it in position.
If a toilet auger has a steel cable core, it is more resistant to wear and tear and doesn?t leave you feeling like the auger is going to develop a kink or break off when it is in the toilet drain.
Some toilet augers may have interchangeable tips (Very rare) that allow you to switch up as needed to take care of the clog. Sometimes a clog needs to be pulled out instead of getting pushed through.
After assessing the state of your toilet, you will want to break out your auger to tackle the clog. Make sure to keep a bucket close by in case of a mess. Having a bucket at hand is a better way to transport the auger after you use it on the toilet unless you like the idea of a tool dripping dirty water around the bathroom and house.
Set up your toilet auger so that the curved end is facing the direction of the drain. You will also want to give about 6 inches of slack with the cable between the space of the drain and the handle pipe?s end. Keep the auger?s screw taut before continuing.
Utilize An Auger To Remove A Clog
Once you are sure that the auger is positioned in alignment with the drain, you need to push the cable through the toilet while turning it clockwise. Once you find that you can no longer turn the auger cable clockwise, begin pushing the cable forward.
Either you will feel the auger hook onto the clog, or it will push the clog through and break it up.
Keep Your Auger Clean
Once you hit paydirt, and the auger has made contact with the clog, you can remove it from the toilet drain. Feel free to apply the plunger to make sure that there are no residual materials that can cause another obstruction. Flush the toilet for good measure, and to make sure any dislodged clogs are removed.
