Unclogging a Toilet

Most of us reach for a plunger when the toilet is clogged, but there's an even more potent tool the closet auger if a plunger's not up to the task.

The closet auger, also called a toilet auger, is a flexible steel coil with a sharp head, usually housed in a plastic or vinyl sheath. By turning the crank handle on the sheath, you feed the auger's head through the drain. The sheath protects the porcelain bowl from scratches as you work the auger around.

Before you start, have a bucket handy. Place it next to the toilet to hold the wet auger and any mystery items it pulls out. Get a pair of rubber work gloves, too.

Turning the handle clockwise, feed the auger all the way through the drain until either you hit the clog or the auger extends as far as it will go usually as far as the drain opening in the floor. If you don't hit the clog, try pulling the coil in and out of the drain. This way, you're more likely to dislodge the obstruction or break it up.

When the drain is free, pull the auger from the toilet and place it in the bucket. Take the auger outside and spray it clean with a hose. If it still has muck on it, soak it in a solution of warm water and disinfectant cleanser and scrub it with a wire brush.