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What are Some Ways to Unclog My Toilet?

While a clogged toilet is certainly as serious of a problem as a sewer line break or flooded basement, it can still be an urgent plumbing problem if the clog is stubborn and won’t come out using the usual homeowner methods, especially if it’s the only toilet available for use. If you have a bad toilet clog, try these steps:

  1. Try Plunging – Try a variety of different types of plungers. A standard plunger is really only meant for minor clogs because its simple round shape doesn’t allow it to form a firm seal on your curved toilet surface to forcibly push water through and dislodge the clog. A flange plunger is typically your best bet for toilet plunging because the “lip” it has allows for effective use in curved or oddly shaped areas, like inside your toilet. A flange plunger is a necessity for any homeowner with an oval shaped toilet. When plunging, focus on using one or two firm, deliberate pushes instead of plunging more shallowly over and over. If the water level in the toilet is too high to do this without causing water to splash out or overflow, you may need to remove some with a bucket first. When done correctly, plunging should work almost immediately. When you hear a whoosh of water and see the water level start to go down, you’ll know that it worked.

  2. Snake the Toilet – If a plunger doesn’t do the trick, a toilet auger (i.e. “toilet snake”) may be needed. Unlike a plunger, which just uses water pressure to move or break up the clog, a toilet snake forces its way through the clog to break it up. Keep in mind though that a toilet snake can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Always read the instructions, watch a how-to video, or consult with a professional plumber before using a toilet snake for the first time. Otherwise, you can do more damage by scratching or cracking your toilet, or getting the snake stuck inside the toilet. Keep in mind that if you try to use a toilet auger and it doesn’t work, an experienced plumber may be able to get different results because they have more experience wielding this kind of equipment, and they typically have more robust augers that they can use.

  3. Call a Professional Plumber – A licensed local plumber will have the professional tools and expertise needed to unclog your toilet. And if the toilet can’t be unclogged because the unit has suffered a permanent failure, they can install a new toilet as well. It may be possible that your clogged toilet is really a sign of a bigger underlying plumbing problem, which a licensed plumber will best know how to diagnose and fix.
Additional resources:
How to use a toilet snake - a step by step guide
Understanding how the professionals unclog a toilet
Tips for plunging a badly clogged toilet
How much is it to install a new toilet?
Toilet won't stop running
Fixing a singing toilet
Do you really need to replace your toilet?
A guide to common toilet problems
Can plumbers fix a toilet?
Fix a clogged toilet emergency situation
Can bleach unclog a toilet?
When should you plunge a toilet?
Is a toilet clog an emergency?
The cost of roto rooting
How much is a toilet replacement?