Six Ways to Unclog a Toilet
Your How-To Guide on How to Unclog a Toilet
If you're dealing with a stoppage and needing to unclog a toilet fast, there are six main ways to go about it. But it might get a bit crappy, pun intended, so be prepared. If you don't have the stomach for it, or you think the issue may be deeper down in your sewer line, call a licensed plumber first. If you're prepared to tackle the mess yourself, then start by working down our seven recommended methods for tackling a toilet clog.
Step 1: Use a Plunger
The most thought of and best first option is always your trusted plunger. Going at the clog first with a handy plunger will take care of the problem most times. Simply place the correct type of plunger over the hole in the bottom of the toilet bowl. Make sure the plunger is completely covering the hole. Then push and depress the plunger completely and pull it back up. Put a little elbow grease into this, but don't go too fast. Using force is good, but going at it too quickly can cause it to splash out on you. Repeat this at least a dozen or so times, even as many as two or three dozen times, and don't be surprised when the clog breaks loose.
Step 2: Vinegar and Baking Soda
A simple combination that can unclog a toilet is vinegar and baking soda. This combination is surprisingly effective at cleaning and unclogging a toilet as well as a number of other things, including cleaning and unclogging your dishwasher. Pour a generous amount of white vinegar and baking soda into your toilet and let it sit. After a couple of hours, go back and try the plunger again. If the baking soda and vinegar did their job, the plunger should be able to finish it off.
Step 3: Hot Water and Dish Soap
When the plunger and the vinegar and baking soda don't get the job done, the next step is trying hot water and dish soap. Between the high temperature and the grease fighting components of dish soap, this combination can further help break up the clog. To unclog a toilet with dish soap and hot water, boil a small pot of water on your stove. While it is boiling, pour a generous amount of dish soap into your toilet bowl. Don't boil the dish soap as breathing it in through the steam produced is not good for you. Once the water is boiling, pour it into your toilet bowl and let it sit. After an hour or so, come back and try your plunger again to see if you can dislodge the clog.
Step 4: The Snake
For twenty or thirty dollars, you can purchase a basic drain snake. They're not terribly difficult to operate, and they can often break up that clog with ease. Follow a few YouTube videos on how to properly use them and you can likely resolve your problem.
Step 5: Household Bleach
When the safer options of vinegar and baking soda or dish soap and hot water don't work, and you still can't get it with a plunger or store-bought snake, it's time to try the bleach. Bleach is a much harsher chemical to try but can successfully break up the clog. If you're needing to unclog a toilet, pour a few cups of bleach into the toilet bowl and wait. After about an hour, try the plunger again.
Step 6: Call a Plumber
If you've tried steps one through five and you still haven't fixed your problem, it's probably time to call a plumber. There are some other methods you can try if you spend a little time Googling, like draining your bowl and using a metal hanger wire, but we wouldn't recommend it. Give your favorite plumber a call and let a professional come in and auger your toilet back to normal.
Do You Need a Plumber?
If you've reached the point that you need a plumber, let us know. We'll send one of our licensed experts out to take care of your clogged toilet fast.