There is nothing worse than a clogged toilet that won't respond to the efforts of a plunger. If the clog in your toilet refuses to budge, even after multiple plunging attempts, it may be time let a toilet auger handle the job. A toilet auger (also known as a closet auger) is designed with an offset hand crank, a long sleeve handle, and an auger bit at the end to break through an obstruction. When using one, first inspect your toilet: some toilet bowls drain to the front, some to the rear. Make sure the curved end of the auger faces in the direction of the drain and push the cable into the drain carefully while cranking the handle in one direction. When it becomes difficult to turn the handle, crank it in the opposite direction until the auger is in as far as it will go. Crank the auger to break up the clog. If it feels as though the auger grabbed onto whatever was clogging the drain, pull it out to check. If it gets stuck, push and pull gently or turn the crank back and forth while pulling up (never use an auger too forcefully or you may scratch or damage the toilet). After clearing up the blockage, use a plunger to ensure that the clog is complete gone. Keep in mind that this job can get messy, especially if you pull the blockage back out through the pipe. Have a bucket and some rags on hand just in case.
Toilet augers and other plumbing tools can be found at www.supplyhouse.com
