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how do you unclog a toilet with a closet auger

by Polly Halvorson Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How To Unclog a Toilet with a Closet Auger

  • Retract the cable through the handle so the tip of the cable is at the end of the guide tip.
  • Insert the guide tip with the curve facing the direction of the drain. ...
  • Crank the auger in one direction until is becomes tight then crank in the other direction. ...
  • Crank the auger to clear the obstruction.
  • Pull the guide tube out of the toilet. ...

Part of a video titled How to Unclog Toilet with Closet Auger | Plumbing Repairs
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And you'll see the handle going down into the ball and what's going on is the metal wire is goingMoreAnd you'll see the handle going down into the ball and what's going on is the metal wire is going down the drain to clear the toilet. Then you want to drive back quickly. See.

Full Answer

Can you use a closet auger to clear a toilet clog?

Don’t head to your nearest Home Depot just yet-it’s always a good idea to first try the plunger method before resorting to the steps on how to clear a toilet clog using a closet auger. Plungers are usually extremely effective, so try that before moving on to more extreme measures.

What is the fastest way to unclog a toilet?

If you do happen to require some unclogging, the fastest way is usually with a toilet plunger. This is the first thing most people reach for when they need to unclog a toilet. 1 What is a Toilet Auger? 2 What is the Difference Between a Toilet Auger and a Snake? 3 Why a Toilet Auger? 5 How Do You Clean an Auger?

How do you unclog a clogged Auger?

In most cases clog sets typically in the toilet trap. Hold the auger housing with one hand and then crank the handle using the other hand. It is advisable that you crank it slowly to avoid potential damage. If you apply excessive force, the cable will coil backward instead of moving through the toilet drain.

How do you use an auger on a toilet?

Extend and Insert the Uager Extend the crank handle of the auger while retracting the coil into the shaft. Insert the cable head into the toilet bowl in the drain. The cable of this plumbing tool usually has a curved end that can easily go through the toilet drain.

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How do you clear a clogged toilet closet auger?

2:1910:26How to Clear a Toilet Clog using a Closet Auger - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd turn the the cable. And keep turning it keep turning it now as soon as that blockage breaksMoreAnd turn the the cable. And keep turning it keep turning it now as soon as that blockage breaks loose you will see that water fall down and pull us - that's when it's been cleared.

Can you flush a toilet with an auger in it?

1:021:58How to Fix a Toilet - Using a Toilet Auger - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd Home Improvement centers. To begin extend the crank handle of the auger retracting. The coilsMoreAnd Home Improvement centers. To begin extend the crank handle of the auger retracting. The coils into the shaft. Then insert the coil head into the toilet bowl with the coils in the drain.

How do you unclog a toilet when a plunger or snake doesn't work?

Vinegar And Baking Soda Pour the baking soda into your toilet bowl. Then add the vinegar a little bit at a time to avoid overflow. The mixture should start fizzing and bubbling immediately. Let the baking soda and vinegar combo work its magic for twenty minutes.

What is the difference between a toilet auger and a snake?

Drain snakes work for smaller drains like your kitchen or bathroom sink. Drain augers tackle larger pipes like your toilet or shower drain.

How long of a toilet auger do I need?

Toilet auger lengths vary, ranging anywhere from 3 to 6 feet. Since most clogs happen early on in the toilet drain, many homeowners choose to go wi...

Can you use a toilet auger on a sink?

Nope, toilet augers are designed specifically to clear clogs in toilets. To clear a sink clog, you’ll either want to use a drain snake or a sink au...

How do I use a Ridgid toilet auger?

The Ridgid toilet auger is one of the most popular augers on the market. You can follow the general steps listed above for using it, or check out t...

How do I use a drum auger to unclog a toilet?

Technically, drum augers are a better solution for sink clogs because of their smaller size. If you can, try to go for a toilet-specific auger if y...

What happens if a toilet auger doesn't work?

With the first go-around, the clog might not be cleared, so you might have to go through the steps on how to use a toilet auger a few times. If tha...

Can a drain snake break a pipe?

It’s very unlikely for a drain snake to break a pipe, but it can cause damage. If used too forcefully, the end of the snake could scratch the pipe...

Why does my toilet keep blocking?

If your toilet keeps clogging, Williams Comfort Air says that “frequent toilet clogs are a sign something is not right – the issue typically has to...

How to unclog a toilet with an auger?

To unclog your toilet using an auger, also known as a closet auger, all you need is to gently insert the auger cable into your drain, spin it as you break through or catch the clog, pull it out, and finally flush to clear the blockage. Following is a step-by-step guide on how to use a toilet auger plus what to do if it won’t go in the drain.

What to do if toilet is clogged?

If you have a clogged toilet in your home, chances are that you will grab a nearby toilet plunger as the first option to clear the clog. However, the plunger might not always cut the mustard and therefore, you will need an alternative, a toilet auger. To unclog your toilet using an auger, also known as a closet auger, ...

How to make auger go in smoothly?

You’re using the auger incorrectly. To make it go in smoothly, first understand how you should use it, be gentle pushing the coil head into the toilet drain. In case of hard clogs disconnect the toilet traps and clean or get help from a plumber.

What is an auger in a toilet?

A toilet auger is a cheap DIY draining tool that can help you get rid of most clogs in the toilet drain without having to spend a lot of money on plumbers. You can find an auger in most stores especially stores that deal with home improvement tools.

How much does an auger cost for a toilet?

The price depends on the length; 6-foot toilet auger costs about $64 while a 3-foot one goes for around $30. If you use this tool in the right manner, you can be sure that your toilet will be functional once again.

Why won't my auger go in the drain?

This happens because; You are using too much force. You have hit a hit a clog that is too hard to break through.

What happens if you force a toilet cable backwards?

If you apply excessive force, the cable will coil backward instead of moving through the toilet drain.

What to do when your toilet is clogged?

So your toilet is clogged, and the first thing you do is immediately turn to the plunger. But what if your toilet plunger just doesn’t cut it and isn’t up for the task of clearing the blockage? In that case, it might be time to resort to a toilet auger.

What Is a Toilet Auger & How Does It Work?

A toilet auger is a tool that plumbers commonly use to unclog toilets. It's just like a drain snake; only drain snakes are geared towards smaller drains like bathroom and kitchen sinks, while augers are designed for larger drains, such as toilets.

Why does my Williams Comfort Air toilet keep clogging?

If your toilet keeps clogging, Williams Comfort Air says that “frequent toilet clogs are a sign something is not right – the issue typically has to do with your plumbing, your toilet, or what goes down it. Common causes when a toilet keeps clogging include: You have an older model low flow toilet.

What causes a toilet to clog?

If your toilet keeps clogging, Williams Comfort Air says that “frequent toilet clogs are a sign something is not right – the issue typically has to do with your plumbing, your toilet, or what goes down it. Common causes when a toilet keeps clogging include: 1 You have an older model low flow toilet 2 Items that shouldn’t be flushed have been flushed 3 Too much toilet paper use 4 The toilet trap is clogged 5 The toilet vent is blocked 6 Your sewer line is clogged."

How to get water out of toilet bowl?

Wiggle the cable inside the toilet bowl - If all goes well, the auger cable will be all the way down the toilet curve by now. Once that happens, begin to gently wiggle the cable and rotate the handle in opposite directions . This will hopefully disintegrate the clog and allow water to pass through.

How to determine the position of a toilet cable?

The position of the cable is determined by rotating this handle , and as you rotate the cable down the toilet drain, the goal is for the auger to clear the clog - or grab onto the obstruction and retrieve it to restore normal water flow.

What is the difference between a cable auger and a flat tape auger?

Flat Tape Auger. The only real difference between a cable auger and a flat tape auger is that the flat tape type uses a flat cable rather than a pliable hose. Some are designed to push blockages all the way through the pipe, unlike cable augers which are designed to pull them out from above. Power Augers.

How to get rid of a clogged toilet bowl?

Pour a few drops of dishwashing liquid into the toilet, then follow with a bucket of warm-to-hot water. You want it hot enough to melt any greasy lumps, but not boiling. Boiling water might crack your toilet bowl.

How much does a toilet auger cost?

It’s not as easy it looks in video tutorials, but it’s still something you can do at home. And since toilet augers cost $20 or less , it can save you money as well. Let’s learn some helpful unclogging tips. 1. Find the source of the clog. There are two types of toilet clogs.

How to tell if a toilet clog is gone?

When you feel a little less resistance on your auger, your clog is starting to disintegrate. But as long as there’s still water in the toilet bowl, it’s not completely gone. Continue cranking your handle until the water disappears. You may hear a swooshing sound as it goes.

What is the advantage of augers over plungers?

The advantage of augers over plungers is visibility. Plungers push the blockage out of sight. Toilet augers tug the blockage back out when you pull the handle out of the toilet. If it’s not just regular toilet trash, inspect the item. It could be a toy, so talk to your kids about not throwing things in the toilet.

Why is it bad to store an auger?

Rust shortens the lifespan of any metallic tool. It’s worse with toilet augers because toilets don’t clog every day, so augers spend a lot of time in storage. Rust could stain your toilet the next time you snake it.

Why does my toilet clog up?

It may be caused by toilet paper, or by an inappropriate item that fell (or was dropped) into the toilet. Kids’ toys, beauty products, and dirty washing water are common culprits. The second kind of clog happens in the sewer.

What is a toilet auger made of?

This tool looks a little like a regular drain auger, but it has two protective casings made of rubber or plastic. Toilet augers have a ‘rubber elbow’ near the tip, and a hollow plastic or rubber tube in the middle. A coiled cable runs through the hollow tube casing, ending in a coiled hook.

How to remove auger cable from toilet?

Once the cable has been forced through the clog, pull the toilet auger cable out of the toilet by rotating the handle and pulling backward. When the tip of the auger is tight against the tube, remove the entire tool from the toilet bowl.

How to get a clogged toilet out of the toilet?

Once the cable has forced through the clog, pull the toilet auger out of the toilet by rotating the handle and pulling backward. With the cable removed, flush the toilet to see if the clog has disappeared. In most cases, the clog now flushes onward through the toilet and into the drain system.

What tool is used to unclog a toilet?

For major clogs that lie past the toilet itself, a toilet auger is the preferred tool, since its cable is long enough to reach through the toilet and all the way to the main soil stack.

What to do if a plunger doesn't work?

What to Do if the Plunger Doesn't Work. When a plunger is not enough to clear a clogged toilet, the next option is a toilet auger—sometimes called a closet auger, named for an old term for toilet, the water closet. Like a standard drain snake, the toilet auger has a cable that rotates by a handle. But this tool is specially designed ...

How to make a toilet cable easier to feed?

Pull the auger handle up all the way so that the end of the cable is close to the bottom curved end of the auger tube. This curved elbow portion will make feeding the cable into the toilet easier, and the rubber or plastic covering will protect the toilet from scratches.

How long does a toilet auger last?

A toilet auger will last for decades with correct use and care, but if the rubber sleeve becomes cracked or broken, or if the cable becomes so rusted that it no longer feeds smoothly through the sleeve, then it's time to replace the tool.

What to do when toilet is clogged?

When a toilet becomes clogged, the first course of action is to try using a toilet plunger. This tool is similar to a standard cup-style plunger used on an ordinary sink, tub, or shower drain, but it has a center flange that allows you to seal the tool against the drain opening in the toilet for plunging. Very often this tool alone will free ...

What is the fastest way to unclog a toilet?

A clogged toilet can be dirty, smelly, and visually unappealing. If you do happen to require some unclogging, the fastest way is usually with a toilet plunger. This is the first thing most people reach for when they need to unclog a toilet.

How to transport toilet auger?

If you are going to transport your toilet auger anywhere other than where you used it, you should wrap it in a plastic bag. Keep the waste and any dripping water that may be dirty from going everywhere and making other places dirty.

What is a Toilet Auger?

This is one of the most common tools for unclogging a toilet and is also sometimes known as a water closet auger or plumbing snake. This tool moves through the toilet drain to unclog the toilet by breaking through the clog or obstruction, causing the toilet to back up into the bowl when flushed.

What is the first tool someone will grab when trying to unclog a toilet?

As mentioned, a plunger is usually the first tool someone will grab when trying to unclog a toilet, but if it proves to be ineffective, you shouldn’t waste any more time; it’s time to grab a toilet auger and get the job done.

How to know if you hit a clogged drain?

Once it can’t run anymore and won't push any further, you will know that you hit the clog. Then it is time to push the cable forward into the clogged drain . If it is successful, you will feel the auger grab onto something, which you can then pull out, or it will break up the clog and push it through the drain to unclog the toilet.

Why use an auger in a toilet?

The answer is that a toilet auger is best used for particularly stubborn clogs that won’t seem to budge when a toilet plunger is used .

What to use to keep auger from rusting?

When the toilet auger is dry, it is a good idea to spray it with some WD-40. This will prevent it from rusting and protect the metal over time when used repeatedly. Rust is one of the most common issues with toilet augers and can cause worse damage down the road.

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1.How to Clear a Toilet Clog using a Closet Auger - YouTube

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oyfjKLXwHk

18 hours ago Keeping your gloves on, disinfect the auger by submerging it in a bucket with water and cleaning solution. Do this for about 5 minutes, then dry the auger completely to prevent rusting. 9. …

2.How To Use A Toilet Auger to Unclog a Toilet (Step by …

Url:https://plumbinglab.com/how-to-use-a-toilet-auger/

18 hours ago A change in tension is often an indication that the auger has hit the clog. Once the tip of the auger hits the clog, carefully push it in further until the tip is fully submerged inside the clog. Remove …

3.How To Unclog A Toilet With An Auger - DIY Plumbing

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSIpZzs8NRA

16 hours ago Crank the auger in one direction until is becomes tight then crank in the other direction. Repeat this until the auger is in as far as it will go. Crank the auger to clear the obstruction. Pull the …

4.How Do You Unclog a Toilet with an Auger? - Sunrise …

Url:https://www.sunrisespecialty.com/how-to-use-toilet-auger

25 hours ago How do you clear a closet block? Pour 1 cup baking soda and 2 cups vinegar into the toilet. If you don’t have baking soda and vinegar on hand, try adding a few squirts of dish soap to the toilet …

5.What a Toilet Auger Is and How to Use It - The Spruce

Url:https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-use-a-toilet-auger-2719038

35 hours ago If you are going to transport your toilet auger anywhere other than where you used it, you should wrap it in a plastic bag. Keep the waste and any dripping water that may be dirty from going …

6.How to Clean a Toilet Auger - Home Guide Corner

Url:https://homeguidecorner.com/clean-toilet-auger/

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7.Videos of How Do You Unclog a Toilet With a Closet Auger

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