Step 6 · Work Through the Clog

This is the step most people slow down on. Take it one move at a time — there’s no rush, and you can rewind the clip as many times as you need.

As the auger cutter head encounters the clog, you will feel the cable tense up and the motor may strain. This is normal. To effectively clear the blockage, use a back-and-forth motion. Advance the cable a few inches into the clog, then retract it slightly, allowing the cutter to break up the material. Repeat this process. Listen for changes in the motor's sound and feel for a reduction in resistance, which indicates you are breaking through. Once you feel the cutter pass through the main obstruction, continue to feed the cable another 10-15 feet down the line to ensure the pipe is fully cleared of any residual debris. If you pull the head back and it is covered in tree roots, you've found the common culprit.