You really get to the heart of plumbing when talking about how to unclog a toilet. I’m pretty sure this is what everybody believes I spend my whole day doing. And don’t misunderstand–there’s nothing wrong with that. That being said, it’s always good to understand what you’re working on before starting a project. To learn about toilets go to our DIY page Toilet Repair.
Now let’s get to it.
How To Unclog A Toilet – The Toilet Auger Method
Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems, and clogged toilet drains are no different. The toilet auger method is the best method to fix a clogged toilet. It is the most efficient, and the way professionals will generally do it.
How to choose an auger
The toilet auger can be purchased at your local home store for about 50 dollars. I prefer the General Wire Spring company closet auger.
I tell anyone that is going to buy one to be sure to purchase the best you can find. I usually prefer the telescoping version. It will auger beyond the trap of the toilet and into the drain a couple of feet. Those extra couple of feet could be the difference between success and failure.
There is a cheaper version with a quarter inch cable that I wouldn’t recommend buying. I bought it once with the idea that it would be useful for augering urinals. It just knotted up inside the drain. I had to throw it away.
The thickness of the cable is very important. If it’s too small, it won’t have the torque to push through a clog. The larger the drain, the larger the cable should be. You don’t want to have your cable turn in on itself and knot up. You may not be able to get it back out.
How to use an auger
This method is pretty straight forward. Before beginning, you want to be sure you’re wearing gloves–preferably the disposal type. This will probably get icky.
You first pull the handle out so that the cable retracts into the auger. Then place the padded portion of the auger at the curve into the toilet drain so that you’re in as far as you can go without scratching the porcelain.
You then begin pushing in on the handle while also turning the handle. You’ll feel resistance at the sharpest turn of the toilet trapway. Just keep pushing and turning.
Once past the sharp turn, you’ll feel resistance at the clog. You may have to really turn hard while trying to push through the clog. But once you’re through the clog, give it a quick yank, kind of like hooking a fish. The drain should unclog and the bowl should empty on its own. I also like to ream it in and out once the water drains.
After unclogging the toilet, I will usually take the lid off and place it flat on the ground with the smooth side down. This gives me a place to set the auger as it drips water.
Testing the toilet
I’ll then get about ten feet of toilet paper and drop it in the bowl. Then flush. If it’s completely unclogged, it will take a flush with toilet paper at least twice with no back ups. Then I’ll flush once with no paper just to be sure.
The last thing to do is get a few paper towels or a rag and place it under the auger before taking it outside for cleaning. Never put away a tool dirty. And you don’t want to drip water on the floor. Then empty the residual water that’s in the lid into the bowl.
After that, just wipe the lid and place it back on the tank.
How To Unclog A Toilet – The Plunger Method
I’m mentioning the plunger method last because I don’t prefer to rely on it, but I also know that we can’t all afford an auger. It will sometimes work. But if your kid thinks it is super cool to watch those personal wipes or that plastic easter egg as it swirls around in a toilet bowl, you’ll find a plunger is not that effective. The auger is what you want when dealing with those. And maybe a stern talking-to.
How to choose a plunger
Get the right tool. That sounds stupid, I know. But there are different styles of plungers. A toilet plunger has a cone at the bottom of it that directs water down the drain and helps with a proper seal to the porcelain bowl. If you’re going to do something, do it right.
How to use a plunger
Next, you place the plunger in the bowl. I lean it back to get the air out as much as possible. Splashing is to be avoided at all costs when dealing with sewage. I’ve had a plunger full of air burp back at me–I don’t recommend it.
Then begin a quick plunging action. The faster you can go, the better results you’ll have. This may take a few minutes, but will clear the clog if it’s in the trap. Double check it’s worked with a few test flushes.
Be careful not to drip on the floor, then empty and clean the plunger.
How To Avoid Clogged Toilets
Here are a few good rules of thumb when operating your toilet to avoid clogs altogether.
1. Flush less
This could mean being a little more conservative with your toilet paper use, buying a bidet, or doing the Courtesy Flush. But the most common reason you’ll see a backed up toilet is because there was too much in the toilet bowl at once.
2. Only flush flushables
Be smart about it, people–you know what goes into a toilet and what doesn’t. If you don’t, here are the most common items people tend to flush that they shouldn’t:
- Menstrual products
- “Flushable” wipes
- Paper towels
- Hair
- Cotton balls
- Q-tips
- Medication–this is mostly for the sake of the frogs, really
3. Empty the entire tank
Hold the handle for a few seconds while flushing to ensure you empty the entire toilet tank and there’s enough water to successfully flush out your toilet bowl and avoid a mess.
4. Is anyone still doing the brick trick? Stop!
This might be a little retro, but people used to put a brick in their toilet tank in an attempt to save water–the water displacement in the tank leads to the flush using less water.
But modern toilets are designed to use less water, so taking away some of it often ruins the point of that design. You can also break the inner mechanics of your tank by dropping a brick in it… So yeah, keep bricks out of your toilet tank, if possible.
Clogged toilet repair Lees Summit
Some of you aren’t going to be physically able to unclog a toilet, and others may just not want to do it. Understandable. It can also be a problem further down the sewer line, which gets dicey to deal with on your own.
If you find yourself with a gross toilet clog in the Lee’s Summit area, feel free to call your local expert at Advocate Master Plumbing for an unclog or repair. We’re the local, family-owned and operated plumbing service company that will guarantee you get a master plumber every time–we’ve got you covered.
For more information about other drain clog issues please feel free to go to how to unclog drains.
