How to Unclog a Toilet  

It never fails to happen at the most inconvenient time (usually during the holidays when you have guests).  The toilet backs up causing emotional embarrassment.  The good news is a clogged toilet often can be cleared in a few simple steps. Give these a try before you call in the pros.  

NOTE: It should be obvious, but if you think your toilet is blocked, don't use it again until the blockage is cleared. 

1. Don’t flush the toilet! If it's not flushing the first time, don't flush again. This will cause more water to be pumped into the toilet bowl. If you let the water in the bowl sit for a while, it will usually drain at least a little bit making less mess when trying to unblock it. 

2.   To avoid costly water damage to your home (and the disgusting mess) place some old towels, rags or blankets on the floor around the toilet, (no matter how careful you are, some water will likely splash onto the floor). You should be aware that any water left pooling on the floor can leak into the flooring which will have no where to go but through the ceiling below it. 

3.   Put on a pair of rubber gloves. Toilets are inherently unsanitary places to work, but a good pair of rubber cleaning gloves will protect you from the germs within.   

4.   Make sure the water supply to the toilet is off. It should be located right behind the toilet; it looks like a regular faucet knob (usually oval in shape). By turning off the water to the toilet you prevent it from flooding not only the bathroom but any room below it in the house. You do not need to shut off the entire water supply to the house so long as the toilet has a working shut off valve.  (If you cannot turn this valve you will need to call a licensed plumber in to replace it as they can corrode over time, seize up & possibly leak.)

5. Get your plunger. (Note: If a known obstruction, such as a child's toy, is in the drain, DO NOT use a plunger or you may end up blocking the toilet even worse skip to step 8).  

Flange Plunger = Good

Cup Plunger = Not Good 

If you don’t own a plunger you can buy one inexpensively at any hardware store, Wal-Mart or even Canadian Tire, just keep in mind that the cheapest one isn’t always the best one for the job. 

You will want to avoid the cheep suction cup style – this is NOT recommended as they often won’t work because they can’t get a tight enough seal to create the water pressure to push a clog through and they end up splashing mess everywhere. 

We recommend you use a large heavy-duty rubber plunger, either the ball-shaped type or one with a fold-out rubber flange on the bottom which forms a seal. Remember, the larger the plunger the more force you can apply down into the clogged drain. Of course the plunger should have a shape which ensures that the water you force out of it when you push down does not shoot back up into the toilet bowl instead of pushing into the drain.  

6. If the water level in the toilet is up to the rim you may need to scoop some of it out. Scooped out water needs to go into a bucket (not down the sink). Be sure to leave enough water to cover the plunger (you may have to add water if the water level is too low). 

7. Insert the plunger into the toilet, making sure the rubber globe or cup is fully seated over the drain opening and covered with water. Press down firmly but slowly the first time making sure you're covering the hole completely. The plunger should be submerged in water to be effective. 

It is important to be pushing and pulling with water NOT air. Add water to the bowl if necessary. Sharply pull up on the plunger to create suction in the drain; then push in to create pressure. It is the suction then pressure that causes the clog to loosen and break up from being pulled in both directions.  

Beware! Pull first to back up the obstruction then push; just pushing the plunger in only often results in just "packing" the clog in. 

Rough, careless plunging can damage the toilet bowl (it can chip and break). If the clog isn't too tight, these bursts of increased water pressure caused by the plunger will probably clear the obstruction. 

If the clog has gone down try flushing the toilet (be sure to turn the water back on for the toilet) but be prepared to turn it off quickly if the clog is not completely cleared. 

If the clog has not cleared it may require more than just plunging. 

8. You may need a toilet auger, which is similar to a plumber's snake but covered in a plastic sheath to protect the toilet bowl from scratches. It is a flexible coil of wire that can "snake" through the curves of a drain and physically push or pull the clog through. Lost toys, tubes of makeup and stubborn clogs will all probably require an auger. 

Toilet Auger 

Once again if you don’t own a toilet auger you can buy one inexpensively at any hardware store, Wal-Mart or even Canadian Tire, just keep in mind that the cheapest one isn’t always the best one for the job. 

Before using a toilet auger read these warning: 

• The auger can scratch the toilet. 
• The auger could break the toilet if too much force is used. 
• In an old house where there is old cast iron and lead piping the auger can go right through the piping under the floor and cause flooding. Old house - meaning pre 1950. 

If you are concerned about possibly damaging your toilet or pipes call a professional licensed plumber to clear the blockage. Some risks just aren’t worth taking. 

If you decide to go ahead with the self auguring of your toilet then at least you know the potential risks involved.  Here is how to use an auger for clearing your toilet.

9. Carefully insert the tip of the auger into the drain (making sure the rubber part is sitting against the inside of your porcelain toilet to prevent scratching or chipping) and push down gently twisting, feeding the snake further into the drain until you feel an obstruction. Twist and push the snake through the obstruction until the water begins to drain. 

If the clog has gone down try flushing the toilet - be sure to turn the water back on for the toilet but be prepared to turn it off quickly if the clog is not completely cleared then repeat the process again. 

10. Once you have the toilet draining it’s time to clean your tools (plunger, auger, gloves, etc.) with a disinfectant cleaner. These tools can spread germs and start to stink if not properly cleaned.  

Don’t forget to disinfect the toilet bowl too with a disinfectant cleaner after you've cleared the clog.  

If nothing works and you still have a clog, you may have a problem deeper in the plumbing lines, and you'll probably need to call a plumber. Most of the time you'll usually be able to clear the clog yourself (saving you money) but if you can’t at least you gave it a good shot. 

WARNING:  

Do NOT use chemical drain cleaners. Most drain cleaners available in retail stores for home use are not appropriate for toilets. Not only are they dangerous but they can cause your toilet to leak. 

DO NOT pour hot water down your toilet as it can cause the porcelain to crack & leak, in addition the wax seal that keeps your toilet from leaking may melt causing even more problems. Toilets are not designed for hot water.

Personal note: 

Why would a plumbing company tell you how to clear your own clogged toilet?  

Because we actually care about our customers! We are in the plumbing business because it gives us the opportunity to help people while earning a living at the same time.  When you do need us we will be there (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), but for the simple things we would rather show you how to do it yourself and save the money.  You are not just a customer; you are our neighbour, our friend, our family!  We are here to help! 

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© 2009 D.R. Francis Plumbing & Heating Ltd.