Step 5 · Operate the Auger to Clear the Clog
With the cable inserted into the pipe, turn on the auger's motor. Use the foot pedal to control the cable's rotation. Firmly grip the cable with your gloved hands and slowly advance it further into the pipe. When you feel the cable stop advancing, you have reached the clog. Do not force it. Instead, allow the rotating cutting head to do its work. You may need to pull the cable back a foot or two and then advance it again several times. This back-and-forth motion helps the cutting head chew through the obstruction. Listen to the motor; a change in sound can indicate you have broken through. Continue to feed the cable another 5-10 feet past the blockage to ensure the line is fully clear.