The water closet auger is commonly called a closet auger or toilet auger. It's a special tool that has an offset hand crank, a long sleeve handle and a special auger bit at the end to break through a clog or retrieve an obstruction like a rag. The auger bit is connected via a flexible shaft to a crank handle that you control. It's reach is about 3 feet. Here's how you use this tool.
- Some toilet bowls drain to the front, some to the rear. Whichever way yours drains is the direction you want the curved end of the auger handle pipe to face.
- Leave about 4" to 6" of cable between the drain hole and the end of the curved handle pipe, then tighten the set screw.
- Push the flexible cable into the drain and crank the auger clockwise until it stops then push forward.
- The auger may feel like it grabbed something or it may just break up the clog. If it feels like it grabbed something, pull it out to check. If it gets stuck, gently turn the crank back and forth or push and pull the tube, but never force the auger or you may break the toilet porcelain.
- After breaking up the clog use the plunger again to make sure the obstruction is cleared.
- Once your sure it's OK, flush the toilet.
