How to Use a Toilet Auger
Some clogs are just to tough for a standard plunger. When you are dealing with one of these tough toilet clogs, a hand-held toilet auger will usually do the job.
Much like a commercial drain snake, a toilet auger has a telescopic metal cable with a rough auger head that can push and twist its way through tough clogs. The auger is a more affordable and sensible choice of tool than traditional standard drain snakes and they typically come in two different sizes, a three foot model and six foot models for deeper clogs. You can usually purchase a toilet auger for around $30 to $50 from your local hardware store, or visit your local equipment rental company for hourly rentals.
Using a Toilet Auger
As we always recommend, make sure that you have turned off the water supply to your toilet before trying to unclog your toilet. Next, you will want to lift the toilet seat to prevent any additional messes or damage while using the toilet auger.
Now that you have prepared your work area you are ready to begin unclogging your clogged toilet. Begin by fully retracting the auger cable and inserting the auger head into the drainage hole which can be found at the bottom of your toilet bowl. You will want to be careful not to splash the water in the bowl by inserting your auger to quickly.
Once your toilet auger is in place, you may begin cranking the auger
handle at the same time you are applying a downward pressure on the auger cable. If you start to feel an increased amount of tension or notice the auger cable beginning to bind, stop applying pressure and begin quickly turning the handle. Chances are that at this point you have hit the clogged are of the toilet, it may take a little bit of work to break through the clog depending on how bad it is.
Once you have fully extended the auger cable into the drain, you should begin to see the water in the toilet bowl start to drain down. At this point, you may begin to slowly retract your auger's cable from the drain hole. You will want to make sure that you are continuing to crank the auger handle as you retract it. This will allow the auger to continue breaking up and remaining material that may once again cause your toilet to become clogged.
After retracting the auger cable and draining the water in the toilet bowl, you may turn on the water supply to the toilet and flush. After the first flush, try flushing a few sections of toilet paper down, just to be sure that the toilet is not going to back up again when material tries to pass through the drain. If all seems well, you should proceed on to cleaning and caring for your toilet auger below.
Toilet Auger Cleaning and Care
Like all tools, cleaning and taking proper care of your toilet auger will increase the auger's lifespan and decrease the likelihood of you having to purchase another one. Since toilet augers are used in wet conditions the inner cable runs a greater risk of rusting and deteriorating, especially if the auger is not used frequently. Below are some simple tips to keep your auger rust free and working like new.
Cleaning after use - You should always clean your toilet auger after each use to remove any potential bacteria, germs or build-up. The easiest and cleanest way to clean your auger is with an outdoor hose. Use a garbage bag to wrap up the auger while you carry it outside, this will prevent anything from dripping on to your floor as you walk through the house. When outside fully extend the auger, exposing the inner cable and auger head. Spray the auger thoroughly using a high pressure nozzle attached to a garden hose.
Preventing rust and corrosion - Once you have finished cleaning your toilet auger thoroughly, allow it to air dry long enough to remove most of the moisture on the cable. Next, spray down the auger cable with a can of WD-40 to remove any remaining moisture and to help protect the metal while in storage.
Storage - Now that your auger has been cleaned, dried and protected you are ready to store it until its next use. You should never leave your toilet auger laying down for an extended period of time. Always hang your auger, handle end up, from a hook or strap in a dry place like your garage or shed.
Preventing Your Toilet from Becoming Clogged in the Future
You can't prevent every clog from happening, but we can prevent most of them by doing a few simple things every now and then. Make sure to check out our tips on preventing your toilet from becoming clogged, they are sure to save you some work down the road.
FEATURED REPAIR GUIDES
- How to Unclog a Clogged Toilet
- How to Replace Your Toilet
- How to Fix a Leaking Toilet
- How to Use a Toilet Auger
- Unclog Toilet Using Household Items
PARTS AND SUPPLIES
TOILET REPAIR HIGHLIGHTS
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