The steps for how to use an auger on a toilet start by rotating a cable until it moves into the drain opening. For most augers, the cable is released from the bottom end of a long pole, and on the other end (at the top), there is a handle.
Can I use a toilet Auger in a sink?
If you’ve got a clogged toilet, opt for a toilet auger. They’re specifically designed to handle tough clogs in plumbing. You should only use a drain snake if an auger just isn’t an option. But if you’ve got a sink or bathtub clog, put the auger away. Go for the snake.
How to assemble a new toilet?
- Elongated toilet seats are the most common seat type, since they're more comfortable. ...
- Find the correct toilet seat size by measuring your new toilet.
- A specialty item such as a raised or heated toilet seat may have special installation requirements.
- Position and attach the new seat according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
How to unclog a toiler without a plunger?
How to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger
- Use Dish Soap and Hot Water. Oftentimes, the culprit of a clog is too much toilet paper or another object that got put down the toilet.
- Try Baking Soda and Vinegar. ...
- Use a Brush if you Don’t Have a Plunger. ...
- Don’t Flush what Doesn’t Belong in Your Toilet. ...
- Call a Plumber if You Can’t Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger. ...
How to clear a toilet clog using a closet auger?
The easy way to unclog toilet blocks
- Wear gloves and remove visible debris, then pour hot water into the toilet.
- Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid and pour more hot water.
- Dislodge the clog with a toilet plunger.
- If that doesn’t work, use a toilet auger to remove the offending material.
- Flush your toilet, then rinse and dry your toilet auger.
Can you use a drain auger to unclog a toilet?
To unclog toilets that couldn't be fixed with a plunger, use a toilet auger. Also called a plumbing snake, this flexible coil of wire is designed to extend into pipes and clear obstructions without damaging the plumbing. Feed the end of the cable into the toilet, taking care not to scratch the bowl.
What is the proper way to snake a toilet?
1:353:35How To Use a Toilet Snake Properly - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr you could do it as your twist thing it so you could twist it and push the back and forthMoreOr you could do it as your twist thing it so you could twist it and push the back and forth simultaneously clearing the clog now you might have to do this for 10 or 15 minutes.
Is a toilet auger better than a plunger?
A snake is safer to use on tough clogs than a plunger, which can apply too much pressure on the wax ring at the base of the toilet, causing it to break—and it's also gentler than a liquid dissolving solution, which can corrode your pipes.
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 do you unclog a toilet if a snake won't work?
6:1913:01Don't Use Drain Snake in Toilet. Best Way to Unclog Toilet Bowl - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd get all this water out of here hold hold the handle and make sure that all that water goes outMoreAnd get all this water out of here hold hold the handle and make sure that all that water goes out as much as possible.
Can a toilet auger damage your toilet?
In fact, it can cause more harm than good, as it can cause the porcelain in your toilet to crack or chip. It can also cause pipe damage or even full breakage. When using a snake, however, the key is to slowly feed the wire coil into your toilet's pipe.
Can a toilet auger damage pipes?
These are advertised as devices that anyone can use to unclog a drain. But if used improperly, drain augers could make the clog worse. You could jam the obstruction in there tighter, or worse, do damage to your pipes. There are a few things you should know before snaking a drain yourself.
Can you snake a clogged toilet?
To clear a clog in your toilet without a plunger, or if plunging hasn't worked, a toilet snake can help you return to a functioning flush (sigh of relief). To get started, put on a pair of rubber gloves and make sure you've located the water supply in case you need to quickly restrict the water flow.
How do you unblock a badly clogged toilet?
How Do You Unblock a Badly Clogged Toilet?Ways to Unclog Your Toilet.Lubricate the Blockage With Dish Soap.Make a Coat Hanger Snake.Break Up the Clog With Hot Water or Drain Cleaner.Mix Your Own Declogger.Plunge Using a Plastic Bottle.Unblock Your Toilet With Vinegar and Baking Soda.More items...•
How do you snake a toilet with a hanger?
Simply unwind the hanger so that it's completely straight with the exception of the hook. Then, wrap a small rag around the hook to help prevent any scratches or damage to the porcelain and, while wearing rubber gloves, gently angle the hanger down the drain until you find the clog.
How long of a toilet snake do I need?
Large or Heavy Snakes Because they are designed for the toughest of clogs, the cable should be no smaller than 5/8 inch in size, with a minimum length of 75 to 100 feet in length. This snake is designed to clean out drains that are 3 inches or larger, which typically includes clean outs to the street.
How do you unclog a toilet with a plunger?
0:221:31How to Fix a Toilet - Unclogging a Toilet - Plunger - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMaking a closed seal which is important to maximize water pressure rapidly depress the plungerMoreMaking a closed seal which is important to maximize water pressure rapidly depress the plunger around 12 times forcing. Water against the blockage unless.
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 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 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.
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.
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 best way to navigate a toilet clog?
The pipe system in a toilet is long and bendy, so if you've got a deep clog that won't come out with regular plunging alone, a toilet auger is your best bet to navigate those curves well beyond your line of sight.
How to make a toilet auger?
1. Prep. Turn off the water supply valve behind your toilet so you don't have a messy overflow on your hands. Then get your auger ready and put on a pair of gloves. This could get messy! 2. Insert. Insert the spring end of the auger into the toilet and down the pipe. 3.
How much does an auger cost?
Getting an auger is easy—a good one costs less than $100, and some can be found for under $10. But how do you use one of them properly?
Why do you flush the toilet?
Flush the toilet to ensure everything is clear, and repeat the process as necessary.
Can an auger scratch a toilet?
The tip of an auger can leave unsightly scratches in your toilet's porcelain finish. Carefully guide the tip into the pipe and avoid making contact with the bowl.
Can a plumber come out and look at a toilet?
Whatever the case, a plumber can figure it out. Look for a plumber near you, compare rates and reviews, and settle on one to come out and look at your toilet. Once you do, you’ll have a working toilet in no time.
5 Different Types Of Augers
For General Drain Clogs  - we recommend Cable or Drain Augers. These have a fairly long and flexible cable that a corkscrew object attached at the end. The cable is wrapped in a canister of sorts and to use this type of drain snake you manually turn the handle on the canister to release more and more of the cable.
How Does The Toilet Auger Work?
Using the toilet auger is very simple. It looks like a short fishing pole but instead of fishing line, it has a thick flexible cable wire that is expanded either manually or powered by a battery or electricity.
How to clean a clogged toilet?
Once the job is finished, plunge the toilet a few times to get rid of any remnants of the clog. Then, pour some concentrated toilet bowl cleaner into the toilet and give it a couple flushes. The chemicals in toilet cleaning solutions are potent enough to dissolve and whisk away whatever residual debris remains in the pipes. As an added bonus, your latrine will be sparkly clean, sanitized and ready for use afterwards.
Why does my toilet plug up so much?
If your toilet plugs up a lot, the problem is usually the result of a weak flush caused by incorrect water levels in the tank or a malfunctioning flapper. [17]
How to get a snake out of a pipe?
Feel around for the clog in the pipes. If you notice the snake slowing down or coming to a stop, it may have encountered resistance. Jostle the shaft slightly to help the snake loosen up whatever is stuck deep in the pipes. Continue turning the handle in a clockwise direction until the snake clears the pipe.
What is a snake in a toilet?
A snake, also known as an auger, is a plumbing tool used to break up and remove clogs that have become impacted in narrow pipes. The snake’s unique design allows it to flex and infiltrate the tricky curves of the toilet’s lower plumbing, which is beyond the reach of conventional tools. Snaking itself is easy and only requires one simple movement, but it’s important that you know how to properly dispose of the extracted materials, keep your workspace clean and protect your pipes.
How to sanitize a snake?
Always make sure to sanitize your snake after each use. This can be accomplished by rinsing the snake off outside with a garden hose. You can also leave the end of the snake in the toilet for a few flushes after you've added toilet bowl cleaner.
Why do kids clog their bathroom?
Toys are a leading culprit of clogs in households with small children. If you have kids, keep the door to your bathroom shut and make sure they know that it’s not a good place to play.
How to unobstruct a pipe?
Break up or pull out as much of the clog as you can. After you locate and work over the clog, rotate the handle in the opposite direction (counterclockwise) to retract the snake and examine what it has collected. Always pull out the clog rather than trying force it deeper into the pipe. Repeat this process until the pipe is completely unobstructed.
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.
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 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.
What is an open coil head?
The other common type is one with an open coil head. The open coil head allows the toilet or drain auger to hook any blockage and pull it back the way it came. This is more effective if the toilet blockage is a compound one or particularly large.
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.
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.
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.
