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Drain Cleaning Equipment
Explore the plumbing
What is inside a toilet?
Tap a number or part name to see what it does and what to look for.
A common gravity-flush toilet, shown in cutaway. Flush mechanisms and shapes vary.
1. Fill valve
Refills the tank after a flush. Its float responds to the rising water level.
A running toilet can have more than one cause; a fill valve is only one part to check.
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2. Flapper
Seals the flush-valve opening at the bottom of many toilet tanks. It lifts to let water into the bowl.
A worn or mismatched flapper can let water leak from the tank into the bowl. Some toilets use a canister instead.
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3. Overflow tube
Provides a route from the tank into the bowl if the tank water rises too high. The refill tube supplies bowl refill water here.
It is different from the flapper. Use the toilet and valve instructions to identify the correct parts.
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Includes an adjustable overflow assembly; match tank and bowl fit.
View on Amazon ↗4. Supply stop
The local valve controls incoming water to the toilet. The flexible connector runs from it to the fill valve.
A seized valve or leaking connector needs attention; do not force a stuck valve.
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3/8-inch compression × 7/8-inch ballcock; measure reach.
View on Amazon ↗
Match inlet and outlet sizes to the existing supply.
View on Amazon ↗5. Trapway
This curved passage carries waste from the bowl toward the drain. Water remaining in the bowl helps block sewer gases.
A toilet auger is designed for the fixture. Repeated clogs or multiple backed-up fixtures need further diagnosis.
Compare toilet augers →Related tool
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Related clearing tool. The trapway itself is built into the toilet.
View on Amazon ↗Illustrations explain common parts and conditions. They do not diagnose your home or replace the instructions for your specific equipment.
Start with the fixture and blockage, then compare the tools in that group.
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Powered drain machines require training and the exact cable/tool setup. Stop for sewage backups, damaged pipes, chemicals or repeated clogs; arrange service.
Toilet plungers
A simple option for suitable bowl clogs1 option
Korky
Beehive MAX Plunger
Toilet bowl applications
Flexible head for varied bowl shapes.
View on Amazon ↗Fit details
Match the plunger to the toilet outlet. Protect against splash, and do not plunge when caustic drain chemicals are present. Multiple backed-up fixtures need diagnosis.
Toilet augers
Compare bulb-head and drop-head tools2 options
RIDGID
K-6P Toilet Auger
6 ft · bulb head
A toilet-specific auger option.
View on Amazon ↗Fit details
Catalog 56658. Follow the toilet and auger instructions to protect the bowl. The cable reaches six feet; that does not mean it can clear a main sewer blockage.
RIDGID
K-6 DH Toilet Auger
6 ft · drop head
Drop head for selected toilet layouts.
View on Amazon ↗Fit details
Catalog 59802. Intended to help negotiate certain back-to-back fixture connections. Confirm that geometry suits the job; do not force the cable.
Sink & small-drain machines
Match the cable to the drain1 option
RIDGID
K-45AF Sink Machine
5/16 in. × 25 ft cable
Handheld drain machine package.
View on Amazon ↗Fit details
Catalog 35473, 115 V. Match cable, head, trap and drain size to the K-45 manual. A machine family’s widest line rating does not apply to every cable. Not a toilet auger.
Drum machines
Larger equipment for trained operators1 option
RIDGID
K-400 Drain Machine
1½–3 in. lines · 75 ft cable
Drum machine with ⅜-in. cable.
View on Amazon ↗Fit details
Catalog 27008 AUTOFEED package: ⅜-in. × 75-ft cable. This setup serves 1½–3-in. lines; do not apply ratings for a larger cable. Not designed to remove roots.
FlexShaft equipment
Match line size, drill and chain knocker1 option
RIDGID
K9-204+ FlexShaft
2–4 in. lines · 70 ft cable
For trained drain-cleaning operators.
View on Amazon ↗Fit details
Uses a 5/16-in. cable in a sheath. A suitable battery drill, clutch setting and chain knocker must match the manual; drill is separate. Do not use an impact driver.
