Toilet Auger
From Toiletpedia
A toilet auger is a tool specially designed to be used to remove clogs from toilets. It is also known as a closet auger since toilets are also called water closets or a toilet snake since the flexible cable can resemble a snake.
The tool consists of an offset hand crank, a long handle, a flexible cable, and an auger style bit. The long handle is curved in order to guide the auger into the drain and paddled at the tip to prevent damage to the vitreous china. The bit consists of sharp spiral wire on the tip surrounded by semi-rigid wire. The shape of the bit is designed specifically for removing clogs. A typical toilet auger has a reach of about 3 feet.
How to Use a Toilet Auger
1. Turn the curved end of the handle to face the direction that the drain leaves the bottom of the toilet.
2. Pull the flexible cable back until only the tip shows at the end of the long handle.
3. Place the tip of the guide into the drain.
4. Push the flexible cable into the drain and crank the handle clockwise.
5. After it stops turning then push forward.
6. If it feels as if the auger grabbed something, slowly pull it back out to check. If it feels like the auger hit a clog, turn the handle back and forth to break it up.
7. After the clog is broken up, then use a plunger the make sure the pipe is cleared.
If at any time the auger becomes stuck, gently crank the handle back and forth or push and pull the cable. Don’t force a stuck auger to move since it can damage the porcelain of the toilet. If the auger did not remove the clog, there could be a chance that the clog is further down in the main pipe in which case the toilet might need to be removed to access the clog.
Sources:
About.Com: Home Repair[1]
Acme How To.Com [2]
Images:
Toilet Auger Use Diagram- from howstuffworks.com
