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What to Do If I Can’t Unclog My Toilet with Plunging?

An experienced local plumber can come out and unclog your toilet right away so you can get back to using your bathroom again. Leaving it to the professionals is a good way to ensure the toilet problem will be fixed the right way the first time. This is especially important if you’re not sure what caused the clog. Mystery clogs can be caused by children or pets dropping items in the toilet that shouldn’t be there, requiring the expertise of a good plumber to remove them safely.

If a plunger doesn’t work, don’t panic! There are a few different options to try before you need to call a professional plumber to unclog your toilet.

  1. Wait

Sometimes a clog needs to sit so that the toilet paper has time to disintegrate, allowing the clog to come free more easily. If you have another bathroom you can use for little while instead, try letting the clog sit for an hour or so and then flushing or plunging again. This is unlikely to work on a stubborn clog, but it’s worth a try because it’s effortless.

  1. Try a Different Type of Plunger

A serious clog requires the right tool to remove. The problem may be that you’re using the wrong kind of plunger.

Most people have a common “cup plunger” for their toilet. These are fine for minor clogs, but they don’t allow for the best possible suction to power through more difficult clogs. They’re really designed for things with flat surfaces, like sinks. Toilets, which have a curved bottom, make this an ineffective tool for anything more than a minor clog.

A flange plunger, on the other hand, is made especially for toilets. Basically, this kind of plunger has a regular cup plunger as the base with a flexible rubber flap on the outside that creates a far better seal for the curved base of a toilet. This is the best option to try if a regular cheap plunger doesn’t work. As a bonus, a flange plunger works better in oval shaped toilets than any other style of plunger. Unfortunately, these are a little harder to find in your local home improvement store, which means that if you can’t find one, you may need to call a professional plumber anyways.

An accordion plunger is another type of plunger that you may find at the store. While it’s unique design can do a good job of dislodging clogs, it’s plastic construction may also scratch your toilet if it’s used too aggressively. Be careful if you try using one of these that you don’t damage your toilet in the process.

  1. Use a Toilet Auger

If you already have a toilet snake and have used one before, you can try using this tool next. However, if you’ve never used a toilet auger, it is probably best not try now. A toilet snake can seriously damage a toilet if it’s used incorrectly, resulting in costly damage. The risk of using an auger without the experience needed to do so safely isn’t worth it. Instead, call a professional plumber.

  1. Call a Professional Plumber

An experienced local plumber can come out and unclog your toilet right away so you can get back to using your bathroom again. Leaving it to the professionals is a good way to ensure the problem will be fixed the right way the first time. This is especially important if you’re not sure what caused the clog. Mystery clogs can be caused by children or pets dropping items in the toilet that shouldn’t be there, requiring the expertise of a trusted plumber to remove them safely.

Additional resources:
Snaking a toilet
Common toilet problems for homeowners
Plumber's tips on how to unclog a toilet
Do I need to replace my toilet?
How much does it cost for a plumber to replace a toilet?
Fixing a signing toilet
Fixing a running toilet
How much does a new toilet cost?The basics of unclogging a toilet
Can a plumber fix my toilet?
Get help for a clogged toilet emergency
Using bleach to unclog a toilet
When shouldn't you plunge a clogged toilet?
Weekend and after-hours clog removal
Is a blocked toilet an emergency?
The cost of roto rooter services
How much is a new toilet?