When is it time to use a toilet Auger?
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.
How far can a 3ft toilet Auger go?
If you have a 3ft toilet auger you can reach blockages about 2ft into the waste line, if you?ve invested in a 6ft toilet auger (Recommended) you can reach blockages about 5ft into the waste line. Why is a toilet auger so much better than a plunger?
How long does a drain auger have to be?
Drain augers are 25-50 feet long with thin cables to really reach that grease and hair that you might find in a kitchen or bathtub drain. How Much Does a Toilet Auger Cost?
How to use an auger to unclog a toilet?
After assessing the state of your toilet, you will want to break out your auger to tackle the clog. Make sure to keep a bucket close by in case of a mess. Having a bucket at hand is a better way to transport the auger after you use it on the toilet unless you like the idea of a tool dripping dirty water around the bathroom and house.
How long should a toilet snake be?
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.
Can you use a 25 ft auger on a toilet?
Important: to avoid scratching the visible ceramic surface inside a toilet bowl, do not insert a handheld drum auger directly into the toilet. A 25 foot handheld drum auger can be purchased for around $30. This is a good next choice, since the auger can break through many clogs that are further away from the toilet.
How far can you snake a toilet?
Closet augers are typically made with about 25 ft. of reach, so you might need to crank for a while depending on how far down your clog is. When you feel the cable come up against some form of resistance, that means you've reached the clog and can stop cranking.
Is a toilet auger the same as 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. The snake covers lines from 1-1/4″ – 2″ range, and you'll use an auger for lines in the 1-1/2″ – 3″ range.
How do you use a 25 foot drain snake?
1:1912:03How To Use A Drain Snake To Unclog Any Drain! Home DIY For Begginers!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut i don't i don't think i need that much so i'm going with 25. Feet what's good about this one isMoreBut i don't i don't think i need that much so i'm going with 25. Feet what's good about this one is that it actually has a stopper.
Can you use a regular auger on a toilet?
0:281:58How to Fix a Toilet - Using a Toilet Auger - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRemember at three feet an auger is only used to clear obstructions in the toilet itself and cannotMoreRemember at three feet an auger is only used to clear obstructions in the toilet itself and cannot reach the sewer line if the toilet is clear and the blockage is located in the sewer.
What happens if a toilet auger doesn't work?
You need to make sure that you've securely tightened thumbscrew(the piece that secures the cable inside the drum or handle). If the thumbscrew is loose, the cable will not rotate at all when you twist the handle. The cable rotation is how the drain snake picks up debris, so if it can't do this, your auger won't work.
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.
How do you use a 6 foot toilet auger?
0:021:55How To Use the RIDGID® K-6 Toilet Auger - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI've sent three feet of cable into the toilet now we're down to the bottom of the toilet. To extendMoreI've sent three feet of cable into the toilet now we're down to the bottom of the toilet. To extend the cable even more there's a button here on the side of the auger. When I press that button.
How much does it cost to auger a toilet?
The national average cost to unclog a toilet is $200 to $700, with most people spending about $350 for a plumber to use an electric auger to clear the toilet drain clog and test the system. This project's low cost is $100 for a simple drain snaking or professional chemical treatment by a plumber.
How much does it cost for a plumber to snake a toilet?
The average plumber cost to snake a drain is $100 to $275 for a toilet, sink, tub, shower, or laundry drain. The average cost to snake a main line is $150 to $500. Roto-Rooter prices are $225 to $500 on average to snake a drain.
What kind of snake will unclog a toilet?
A toilet snake is a type of drain snake made specifically for use on toilets. You use a toilet snake the same way that you use a drain snake, but toilet snakes are made specifically so that they don't damage the porcelain of your toilet bowl.
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 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 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 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 to get cable into toilet?
To get the cable all the way into the toilet, you may need to reverse the direction of the cranking motion a couple of times. Crank in one direction until the cable will feed no further, then switch to the other direction and continue to gradually feed the cable until the auger handle is tight against the top of the auger tube.
Where do toilets clog?
In the case of toilets, most clogs occur in the first section of the drain, in the trap configuration built into the porcelain body of the toilet. The toilet auger has enough cable to reach past the toilet, sometimes as far as the main soil stack. But if the clog lies beyond that point, such as in the main sewer line, ...
Can a drain snake be used to clear a toilet?
A drain snake, or plumber's snake, generally consists of thin and flexible coiled wires that can be rotated to break through clogs. It is certainly possible to clear a toilet clog with an ordinary drain snake, but all too often you will leave disfiguring scratches in the bottom of the bowl. A drain auger, on the other hand, will not scratch ...
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?
How to avoid scratches in toilet bowl?
Be Careful With the Auger's Tip. 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.
What to do if there is no water in the toilet?
If there's no water in the toilet, add a few inches. This will help you clear the obstruction. But be careful not to add too much, as this puts you at risk of an overflow.
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.
Can a clogged toilet cause headaches?
A clogged toilet can be a real headache, especially if you’ve tried plunging and other hacks (including mixing vinegar and baking soda) with no results. Get quotes from up to. 3 pros! Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Zip Code.
How long is a toilet auger cable?
A thick toilet auger cable doesn’t have enough “free play” to remove clogs from a sink drain. They are also much shorter, being anywhere from 3-6 feet. Drain augers are 25-50 feet long with thin cables to really reach that grease and hair that you might find in a kitchen or bathtub drain.
How much does a 6 foot toilet auger cost?
A good quality 6 foot toilet auger costs about $64 while a 3 foot toilet auger cost around $30. The amount of money you will save on calling a plumber is huge if you buy your own toilet auger. If you have a family with kids you definitely need an auger.
What is the difference between a snake and an auger?
Auger and a snake are two different tools to unclog drains and toilets. Auger are tough , long and built to get out even the worst toilet clogs. Snakes are thin and short, built for removing shallow uncomplicated clogs mostly from drains. If you've got a toilet to unclog, don't waste your time with a snake. It won't go deep enough ...
How to get a clogged toilet auger back up?
This does two things. It either grabs your clog or it forces the auger through the bends in the pipes. After a minute, wind your toilet auger back up and see if you’ve grabbed the clog. If not, put the auger back down the pipes and keep slowly spinning until it gets passed the bends in the pipes.
What is an auger in a toilet?
What is a toilet auger ? Also called a closet auger, it’s a tool used to specifically unclog toilets. Augers are the best thing to unclog a toilet. Toilet augers are built as a long vinyl tube with a handle on one end and a long metal cord or cable inside, usually 3 to 6 feet long.
How to get auger out of pipe?
If your auger gets stuck, it’s probably just hung up on a bend in the pipe or the internal trap. Crank your auger around while pushing it into the pipe, then try to pull it back out. If that doesn’t work, do the opposite and crank the auger while pulling it out.
Why is my auger not working?
Sometimes, your toilet auger isn’t working because the cord is stuck in the bowl. It can get hung up on the trap or in the U bends on the back of the toilet. For this, you would slowly crank the cable while pushing the auger into the toilet. It should work itself through the trap and U bends after a few cranks.
What is a Toilet Auger?
A toilet Auger is known by many names, according to Angie’s List. These include toilet snake, plumbing snake, water closet auger, and plumbing auger. This is a tool that is used to unclog toilets and to remove obstructions from the drain. It has an auger bit at one end and a crank handle at the other.
Why Would You Need to Use a Toilet Auger?
A toilet auger is used to unblock your toilet. The reason that a toilet becomes clogged is usually that there is an obstruction in the way. This might be a build-up of toilet paper, a foreign object, or a sanitary item. A toilet auger is usually used when a plunger has not worked to remove the blockage.
How Does a Toilet Auger Work?
The flexible shaft of a toilet auger passes through the u-bend and into the drain to locate the blockage. You can use the crank handle to operate the auger bit, which allows you to remove the blockage quickly and easily. It works by rotating the cable into the drain opening using a screwing action.
Why Is it So Important to Unclog a Drain?
Nobody likes messing about inside a toilet, but it is really important that you unclog your toilet as soon as you notice a blockage. ACC Storm and Water Damage says that you should do this straightaway for the following reasons:
Can You Unclog a Toilet with a Toilet Auger Yourself?
If you do not want to get the plumber out or you cannot afford to do so, then it is easy to unclog a toilet yourself using the following step-by-step guide.
How to Use a Toilet Auger
The Spruce describes how to use a toilet auger using the following steps:
Are There Any Precautions You Need to Take When Using a Toilet Auger?
Unclogging a toilet with a toilet auger is a safe activity, so you need to take very few precautions when doing this home maintenance task. However, it is recommended that you wear rubber gloves to keep your hands clean during the process. This is because the water can splash, and the water is often contaminated.
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 Difference Between a Toilet Auger and a Snake?
The design of the toilet auger is deliberate and is designed to remove more stubborn toilet clog versus a regular toilet snake. Augers can come with a closed coil head used to punch through or push through the blockage. This pushes the toilet blockage through the drain along with the auger until it passes through successfully.
Why a Toilet Auger?
With so many options to unclog a toilet, you might be wondering why and when you should use a toilet auger. 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.
Strategy for Using a Toilet Auger
Using a toilet auger is quite simple, and the tool itself is rudimentary but effective. You must start by pushing the cable through the toilet drain while turning it in a clockwise motion. The turning will allow it to bend more easily as it curves through the drain.
How Do You Clean an Auger?
After using your toilet auger to unclog your toilet, it’s time to clean it so that you clear the bacteria and any debris that may remain on it.
A Handy Tool
A toilet auger is an important thing to have. Most households only have a plunger but could really use a toilet auger to avoid needing to call a plumber. Also, keep your toilet auger clean, and the cost savings over time will pay for the tool many times over as you use it for years on end.
Frequenlty Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to a couple of the more commonly asked questions regarding toilet augers.
