How to Unclog a Toilet

The first step of understanding how to unclog a toilet is to assess its function. If your toilet is not flushing properly, take immediate steps before plunging.

• To keep the toilet from overflowing, either remove the lid of the toilet tank and close the toilet flapper, or turn off the water supply to the toilet at the shut-off valve.
• Place towels or newspapers on the floor around the toilet in case of splashing.
• If the obstruction is a solid object like a children’s toy or hand towel, see if you can remove it by hand.
• Wear rubber gloves before reaching into the toilet bowl or touching objects that have been there.
• If you smell gas, open the bathroom window and contact a plumber immediately as an issue with the sewer may be causing the toilet problem.

Tip: Partial clogs may eventually clear themselves, but can also build up to more serious obstructions. It can be easier to clear one sooner rather than later.

Learning how to unclog a toilet with a plunger involves having the right tools. Start by using a plunger, which creates a vacuum to force clogs out of drains. Heavy-duty plungers with either ball-shaped heads or rubber flanges on the bottom are much more effective than conventional suction cup-shaped plungers.

• Make sure the toilet bowl contains enough water to submerge the head of the plunger.
• Place the plunger over the hole in the toilet.
• Maintain a seal and plunge up and down rapidly, keeping the plunger under the water level and lifting it only an inch or so on every upstroke.
• Be patient. The process of how to unclog a toilet with a plunger may involve multiple plunge cycles, of a dozen plunges per cycle, to loosen the clog.
• Flush to see if the clog has cleared. If not, repeat.
• Clean the plunger as needed before returning it to storage.

Tip: Before using the plunger, run hot water over it to loosen the rubber so it forms a better seal.

You may know how to plunge a toilet, but when that doesn’t work, use a toilet auger. Also called a plumbing snake, this flexible coil of wire is designed to extend into pipes and clear obstructions without damaging the plumbing.

• Feed the end of the cable into the toilet, taking care not to scratch the bowl.
• Crank the handle clockwise and push the auger until you either snag the obstruction or break it up so it can be flushed.
• If you snag the obstruction, pull out the auger.
• Clean the auger as needed.

Tip: If you don’t have an auger, an unbent coat hanger or garden hose can be used as a snake but may not be as effective.

Not every homeowner has, or needs, drain cleaning equipment readily available. You can rent augers and other drain cleaning tools from The Home Depot's Tool Rental Center to help keep your expenses down and the shelves in your workshop less cluttered.

To learn how to unclog a toilet without a plunger or auger, consider a chemical drain opener. Some products or homemade solutions can break down a clog over time.

• Commercial products for enzyme waste removal can liquify solid waste when poured into the toilet according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Make your own drain cleaner by pouring one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar into the toilet and adding a half gallon of hot water. Dish soap can also help loosen some obstructions.
• When using either method, allow the solution to sit overnight and then flush the toilet to see if the obstruction has cleared.

Tip: If you use a commercial drain cleaner with corrosive chemicals, make sure that it’s made for toilets, as some brands can damage the plumbing. Consider these a last resort before calling a plumber who knows more about how to fix a clogged toilet.

Take steps to minimize toilet clogs in the future.

• Do not use excessive amounts of toilet paper. Bidets offer a hygienic way to keep clean while using less paper.
• Only flush appropriate items down the toilet. Do not flush heavy paper items such as paper towels, sanitary products or wipes.
• Keep the water jets around the edge of the toilet rim clean. If the jets become stopped up over time, the toilet will fail to flush at full power and make it more likely that obstructions will accumulate. Weekly scrubbing of the rim with a toilet brush should be effective.
• If you have small children, make sure they know not to flush toys and other inappropriate items.

Knowing how to fix a clogged toilet is important, but make sure you understand common precautions.

• Clogs and the chemicals to clear them may harm septic tanks. Research the product carefully.
• While chemicals are a powerful option, they are also toxic and corrosive. Follow the package instructions, wear protective gear and don’t mix with other chemicals.
• Address the clog as soon as possible, either on your own or by hiring a professional. A clog may not be the actual cause of the problem, and overflowing toilet water can be a health hazard.
• Don’t pour anything into the toilet that will solidify. Grease and wax products are common culprits of difficult clogs.
• Avoid flushable wipes. Most can actually block your pipes and clog your toilet.