How to Use an Auger to Unstop a Toilet

When your toilet becomes clogged, it can create a big mess. While many clogs can be removed by using a plunger alone, difficult obstructions require the use of an auger. Specifically designed for use in a toilet the auger can reach about three feet into the toilet drain. It is constructed with a combination of flexible wire that can maneuver through the bends in a toilet and a sharp spiral tip at the end that is rotated with a hand crank at the opposite end of the tool.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plunger
• Auger

1. Turn the hand crank on the auger to withdraw the end of the cable to line up with the tip.

2. Take careful note of how the toilet drains and place the tip of the auger in such a way that it faces the direction of the drain opening. Slowly insert the tip into the drain.

3. Feed the cable of the auger into the drain by cranking the handle. Once you reach the blockage, you will note significant difficulty in cranking the handle. When this happens, reverse the direction you are turning the handle.

4. Continue to turn the handle in one direction and then the other until it is easy to crank in both directions. This means the blockage is now freed from the toilet drain.

5. Pull the auger out of the toilet slowly.

6. Use a toilet plunger on the toilet to ensure that all obstructions have been freed from the toilet.

7. Flush the toilet to remove obstruction from the toilet drain.

Tips & Warnings

• Some toilet drains point to the front while others point to the back.
• Be careful when you remove the auger. Forcing it out of the bowl can crack the porcelain.