up and down to provide alternate compression and suction. Take care not to raise the cup off of the drain opening. The downward pressure or upward suction often clears the stoppage.

Another type of force cup, shaped to fit the opening of a water closet drain, works more efficiently than the round type in clearing stoppages in water closets.

The CLOSET AUGER and PLUMBER'S SNAKE are used for opening clogged water closet traps, drains, and long sections of waste lines (views B, and C, fig. 5-54). The closet auger is a cane-shaped tube with a coiled spring or "snake" inside and has a handle for rotating the coiled hook on the end of the snake. To insert the closet auger into the trap of the water closet, retract the coiled spring all the way up into the cane line curve of the closet auger. Hook the cane end, with its projecting hook, into the trap. Then start turning the handle to rotate the coiled spring as it is pushed down into the trap of the water closet. Rotate the handle continuously until the snake reaches the obstruction in the drain. Turn the handle slowly until the obstruction is caught on the coiled hook of the closet auger. Continue rotating the handle and pull back at the same time to bring the obstruction up into the water closet where you can remove it.

NEVER assume that the water closet is clear after one object is brought up and removed. Insert the snake of the closet auger again and repeat the procedure until the closet auger passes down into the closet bend and branch. Withdraw the closet auger. Put four or five pieces of toilet paper in the water closet and flush them through the fixture to make sure that it is completely open.

TRAP AND DRAIN AUGERS, such as the one shown in view D of figure 5-54, are used in clearing obstructions in traps and waste pipes. Trap and drain augers, also known as SINK SNAKES, are made of coiled, tempered wire in various lengths and diameters. They are very flexible and easily follow bends in traps and waste lines when pushed into them. In clearing stoppages from lavatories, service sinks, and bathtubs, first use a plumber's force cup. If the obstruction is in the trap and is not cleared by the action of the plunger, clear the trap by inserting a wire or snake through the cleanout plug at the bottom of the trap. If the trap is not fitted with such a plug, remove the trap. Protect the finish of the packing nut with

Figure 5-54. - Tools for clearing stoppages in plumbing fixtures.