How to Unclog Your Toilet

Nothing says “panic” quite like a clogged toilet. You flush the toilet—the water starts rising and you’re left with mess and an expensive repair bill. A clogged toilet is never convenient, but most clogs can be cleared without calling a plumber. Common causes include:

• Too much toilet paper
• Flushing wipes or other non-flushable items
• Toys or objects stuck in the drain

If your toilet won’t flush properly, try these methods.

Use a Plunger

A flange plunger is designed specifically for toilets and creates a better seal than a standard sink plunger.

• Make sure there’s enough water to cover the plunger.
• Insert the flange into the drain.
• Push and pull firmly while maintaining the seal.
• Repeat until the water begins draining.

Try a Toilet Snake or Closet Auger

A toilet snake reaches deeper clogs that a plunger can’t remove. It works by breaking up the clog into smaller pieces, so it can pass through the drain.

To use a toilet snake:

• Feed the snake into the drain until you reach the blockage.
• Turn the handle to break apart or grab the clog.
• Continue until the toilet drains normally.

Dish Soap and Hot Water

A combination of dish soap and hot water can help lubricate and break down clogs caused by excess toilet paper use. This trick can also come in handy if you don’t have any toilet unclogging tools close by.

• Pour ½ cup of liquid dish soap into the bowl.
• Let it sit for 20–30 minutes.
• Slowly add hot (not boiling) water.
• Wait several minutes to see if the clog clears.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Like the dish soap and hot water method of clearing a toilet clog, a concoction of baking soda and vinegar can make your toilet functional again. Unlike corrosive drain chemicals, baking soda and vinegar are completely safe to use and won’t damage your plumbing. A word of caution: if your toilet is close to overflowing, this method could leave you with a big mess to clean up.

• Add 1 cup of baking soda.
• Pour in 1 cup of vinegar.
• Let the fizzing stop.
• Add hot (not boiling) water and wait for the bowl to drain.

Wet/Dry Vacuum

A wet/dry vacuum can remove stubborn clogs. Never use a regular household vacuum. It is not engineered to handle water.

• Remove excess water from the bowl.
• Seal the vacuum hose against the drain with a towel.
• Turn on the vacuum and check if the clog clears.

Toilet Tips

• Don’t use chemical drain cleaners. These solutions can damage your plumbing and septic systems.
• Keep an eye on the water level. A clogged toilet is inconvenient, but an overflowing toilet is an even bigger mess.
• Close the toilet lid. Many clogs happen when the lid is open and an item falls off the lid of the toilet tank into the bowl.

When to Call a Plumber

If none of these methods work, the clog may be deeper in your plumbing system. Call Bailey Brothers at:

Our experts have the tools and skills to get any toilet flowing again.