how long of a toilet auger do i need

Unlike the auger, though, a snake is mainly used to remove clogs in other appliances, like your tubs, showers, bathroom sinks, washing machines and even your kitchen sink. Best Toilet Auger | Remove the Toilet Blockage and Keep It Clean Learn more about these two and common sizes of toilet augers in this article. Its best to use a plunger first because there is a greater risk of damage when using an auger. When atoilet becomes clogged, the first course of action is to try using a toilet plunger. How do you use a Tacklife drain auger? Use a toilet auger by rotating a handle on one end that guides a long metal tube and cable into the . But what if the clog is deep into the drain? Step 2: Reduce toilet water level Another step to prevent the possbility of overflowing is to reduce the amount of water the bowl holds. With features that dont give you worries, you can use this auger with no physical and mental stress. The reason the handspun ones are easier to use compared to the non-spinning augers is that for the latter, youll need to put more arm work into it. Also known as a toilet snake, this tool has a unique hooked head and crank handle that can reach in and remove even the toughest blockagesas long as you know how to use it properly. Place the auger's cabling in your toilet bowl, with the curved end towards the drainpipe. Look for bubbles in the water in the toilet bowl and keep an ear out for rattling in the pipes. Keep cranking to extend the length of the cable until you meet resistance, which indicates you've . A toilet auger is a very simple hand tool, consisting of a metal cable with a rotating handle on one end; a long tube with a smooth angle on the bottom, through which the cable fits; and a rubber sleeve that prevents the metal tube from scratching the porcelain toilet bowl. Were Plumbinglab.com, and each year we help thousands of people find solutions so they do not need to hire a plumber. 5 Different Types of Toilet Augers Explained Cable or Drain Augers A cable auger utilizes a flexible, pliable cable controlled by turning a handle manually. Toilet auger lengths vary, ranging anywhere from 3 to 6 feet. Toilet auger vs snake; which is more efficient? Also, it can be inserted into a plumbing pipe to remove debris or blockages and can be used for both residential and commercial plumbing systems. RIDGID 59802 K-6 DH Toilet Auger, 6-Foot Toilet Cobra Products 40030 3/8-Inch by 3-Feet Home DrainX Toilet Auger Drain Plumbing Snake | Use General Pipe Cleaners I-T6FL-DH Closet Auger, Samshow Toilet Plunger Toilet Dredge Designed for Ridgid 59797 K-6 Toilet Auger w/Bulb Head, Light Duty Toilet Auger 3 (foot) length for House Hold Toilets. As you retract the cable, it may have picked up small debris on the way in and out. Saveourwaterrebates.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It can also cause pipe damage or even full breakage. Getting an auger is easya good one costs less than $100, and some can be found for under $10, though you can also rent one from your local hardware store if youd rather not have to worry about storing this additional tool. Use a drain snake for unclogging drains and a toilet auger for toilets. Complete DIY projects like a pro! While doing this, avoid making contact with the bowl to avoid scratching your toilets porcelain finish with the augers tip. Most toilet snakes have a long cable cord and are used if theres not too much buildup. Approved. Luckily, you can find out exactly how to use an auger to unclog a toilet in this complete guide, plus learn all the need-to-know DIY tips for using an auger successfully. These toilet snakes are often short because most obstructions catch in the first S-bend or at the floor flange. Where Should Toilet Grab Bars Be Placed? Australian Toilets vs American Toilets: Whats the Difference? How To Use A Toilet Auger - Ace Hardware - YouTube If this method doesn't give you the right results, put on a pair of sturdy, rubber gloves and use a plastic cup or bowl to transfer the remaining liquid into a bucket. After the auger is removed from the toilet drain, use a plunger to break up any final clogs and flush the toilet. Plunger not quite cutting it? For example, some augers come with a closed coil head, which is used to push through the plug. The auger head either breaks or catches the clog. Toilet augers are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most hardware stores. When your toilet clogs, most people reach for a plunger to attempt to fix it. Unclogging a toilet can get messy, to say the least, so make sure that your surrounding area is as clear as possible. If the obstruction is deeper beyond the reach of the auger, trying other methods or calling professionals are already recommended. He has an excellent understanding of home plumbing issues and translates his experiences via Plumbing Lab so readers can have a better understanding of common household problems. Australian Toilets vs American Toilets: Whats the Difference? Top 7 Best Toilet Auger Reviews & Buyers Guide [2022], 3 Reasons Your Toilet Auger Wont Go In And Solution, How To Make A Plumbing Snake Turn Corners, Its All About: How To Use a Toilet Auger. Heres the Reason. Feed the end of the cable into the toilet, taking care not to scratch the bowl. But a drain snake is not a toilet auger; theyre two totally different tools. How long of a toilet auger do I need? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. But believe it or not, a drain snake is not meant for unclogging toilets rather for sink and bathroom drains; something that a toilet auger simply cannot do. To fix a clogged toilet, you will need a toilet auger or a closet auger. It can be used on both residential and commercial properties, and its especially useful in situations where clogs are frequent. (Based on Types, Materials & Brands). To use a drum auger on a toilet without scratching the porcelain is undoubtedly difficult as its bare cables can be out of control while you are rotating. Start rotating counterclockwise and reverse the motion if necessary, all the while pulling it up. DrainX Toilet Auger Bulbhead Drain Snake with Drill Attachment, 3 FT Cable, Includes Gloves and Storage Bag, Best Caulk for Shower, Bathtub to Prevent Mildew Reviews 2023. 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 do with your plumbing, your toilet, or what goes down it. However, if your toilet is larger than average, you may need an auger that's . Pull your auger back out of the toilet. A standard toilet is usually between 1 and 2 inches in diameter, so you'll want an auger that's at least 3 feet long. Pull out the auger cable, once the water from the bowl drains and there no resistance. You do it to dismantle the blockage as the end of the cable gets into the part that you cant see. In these cases, hire a local plumber to make sure everything is safely fixed. 6 Causes and Solutions, Using a Handheld Auger to Unclog Your Sink, How to Clear a Clogged Shower Drain With a Drain Snake. Light Duty Toilet Auger 3 (foot) length for House Hold Toilets. Magnetic Scale Inhibitor, Borate Treated Lumber vs. Pressure Treated Lumber. Guide the head of the snake to the base of the toilet bowl, angled toward the drain. Some people use the term auger to describe a drain snake. Heres the step-by-step process: Prepare the area around the toilet for any likely mess. This is what sets the toilet auger apart from other drain snakes: its head guard / sleeve will ensure that the porcelain will be free from scratch as you insert the auger cable. However, before you try using one, make sure you know how to use it properly so you dont damage your pipes. If that still doesnt work, its time to call a plumber since the clog is most likely too far down for the auger to access. 1 Place the end of the snake into the toilet. A power auger comes with a built-in motor. When a plunger is not enough to clear a clogged toilet, the next option is a toilet augersometimes called a closet auger. How to Use a Plumbing Snake to Unclog Drains - The Spruce A toilet snake can also be used on clogged bathroom sinks. Most designs, though, have a long, flexible shaft that includes an auger bit at one end, a crank handle on the other. If it still shows signs of a clog, you may need to repeat this process once or twice more. Schedule a service today. When properly inserted, you should not be able to see the end of the auger cable; you will see only the tube and sleeve. 10. Augers are usually made of metal. Olivia September 13, 2022 Auger Baking soda and vinegar is a marvelous cleaning agent, and when dumped into a clogged toilet, often will break up the clog without you having to do a thing. The toilet should flush normally when the clog has been cleared. When the toilet flushes without an issue, youre good to go. Google or look in your yellow pages, there's most likely a bunch of guys that just snake out drains and they usually have a set rate like $69. In order to determine which the best is, we need to first look at each tool individually to understand what it is and how it works. While its possible to successfully clear your toilets clogged drain yourself, your best bet is to call your local plumbing service company. Sign up for our newsletter! Just keep winding and unwinding and let it wear down the clog on its own. Most homeowners reach for their plunger first, but not all clogs can be removed by forcing material back through the pipes. But what if your toilet plunger just doesnt cut it and isnt up for the task of clearing the blockage? Before you give up and call your plumber, there's still one method for unclogging a toilet you should try. Can I Snake My Own Drain? | Apollo Home There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. To learn how to prevent future clogs in your toilet, keep reading! Depending on the location of the clog, youll need to twist the handle in another direction. Details Or fastest delivery May 31 - June 2. Beginner Introduction You've tried flushing, you've tried draining, and you've tried plunging. You would almost always depend on the good old plunger when your toilet needs unclogging. If you snag the obstruction, pull out the auger. Too much exertion can cause the cable to get tangled. After each use, rinse, wipe the auger cable dry (it may rust otherwise) and store it away. It can reach up to 5 feet of the waste line. 5. This 6 Ft. telescoping auger is ideal for breaking up stoppages or removing lost objects in clogged toilet bowls. When you reach the clog, rotate the handle in a clockwise motion to drill through the obstruction. Plumbers charge $45 to $200 an hour, so you can save a lot by giving your toilet the old DIY try. 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. For example, some augers come with a closed coil head, which is used to push through the plug. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. You can also leave the end of the snake in the toilet for a few flushes after you've added toilet bowl cleaner. Guide on How to Unclog Your Toilet With an Auger, theres another tool that you can use to get rid of clogs. A homemade declogging solution made from vinegar and baking soda can also work wonders on clearing out your pipes after they've been snaked. If youre faced with a clogged drain, do you know which tool to use the toilet auger or the snake? The toilet or pipes may be damaged by excessive force when pushing the cable through. Only 4 Easy Steps, How Do I Know If My Toilet is Leaking? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Cobra Peerless Homeowner Toiler Auger Which Features a Rust-resistant Spring Wire and a Non-slip Grip Handle. Unclogging a toilet with a snake is as simple as turning the crank a few times. To effectively use a drain auger on a toilet, you will need to exert considerable effort; but dont use too much force as it will just get entangled. What a toilet snake auger ensures you is a reduced risk of scratching the toilet surfaces, which are visible. P Trap vs S Trap Toilet: What Makes Them Different? After the last rotations, crank and pull the cable backward to retrieve it. HomeGearKit | All Rights ReservedHomeAffiliate DiscloserPrivacy PolicyAbout UsContact Us. This gets the auger bulb head hooked onto the clog or passed the bend in the pipes. What Causes Yellow Stains In Toilet Bowl? . 6 Best Toilet Augers for 2023 - Get Your Poop Down the Shoot! Avoid using a plunger after you have applied drain cleaners, as you will risk spreading dangerous chemicals onto your skin of clothing. If the problem is limited to your toilet, though, try using an auger to unclog it before recruiting a pro. It may not be as effective as a snake, but itll get the job done in a pinch. What is the Difference Between a Toilet Auger and a Toilet Plunger? Work the cable down gently and patiently. Toilet augers and snakes are designed to clear your plumbing from clogs and blockages. Once youve situated the auger correctly, push the cable through the toilet drain and turn it in a clockwise motion. Even if you feel that the resistance is gone, you still have to check your toilet for assurance. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Snake-a-Toilet-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Snake-a-Toilet-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Snake-a-Toilet-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid5976201-v4-728px-Snake-a-Toilet-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"