How to Unclog a Toilet: 4 Effective Methods
A toilet that won't drain can ruin anyone's day. One minute, you're going about your business; the next, you're watching in panic as the water quickly rises in your toilet and doesn't drain away. It can be stressful, scary, and frustrating - even more so when you aren't sure how to unclog a toilet fast or perform any kind of toilet repair.
The good news is that while you don't know the best way to unclog a toilet right now, you can certainly learn this valuable skill. Our Lancaster PA Plumbers are here to help, but first, let's explore four ways you can try to unclog a toilet yourself.
Unclogging Method #1: Unclog a Toilet with a Plunger
If you've got a plunger hiding in a cupboard, consider yourself lucky. It just might be the tool you need to clear that clogged toilet and get things flowing again. Here's how to unclog a toilet using a plunger:
Time needed: 5 minutes (approximately)
What you'll need:
- Toilet plunger
- Gloves
Step 1: Get the right plunger
Not all plungers are made equal. In fact, different plungers exist for different jobs. As a result, ensuring you have the right plunger for unclogging your toilet can be crucial, as not all plungers will do this job to a high standard.
Make sure you have a toilet plunger with a flange to enter the toilet hole. If you have a sink plunger, you may find that it doesn't have a flange and is flat. While a sink plunger may be somewhat helpful for unclogging a toilet that won't drain, it is unlikely to form the proper seal needed to get the job done correctly.
Step 2: Ensure there's water in the toilet bowl
In some situations, a clogged toilet can slowly drain until there's no water left in the bowl. When this happens, a plunger won't be an effective unclogging solution. You can't plunge an empty toilet!
If you notice that there's no water in your toilet bowl, fill the toilet with water from your sink. You may also like to use hot water since it can sometimes be helpful in clearing clogs. You'll then know how to unclog a toilet full of water.
Step 3: Cover the toilet hole with the plunger
Arm yourself with your toilet plunger and insert it into the hole with the flange of the plunger at an angle. The goal is to form a seal around the hole, which can be easier to do when the plunger is slightly angled.
Step 4: Pump the plunger
With the plunger in place, it's now time to pump it! Lean into the plunger and pump it at a slight angle so that you can force water through the pipes under high pressure. You can perform this action multiple times.
If you notice that air is forcing itself out of the plunger cup, reposition it to form a seal once more. After pumping the plunger in the toilet bowl around six or seven times, remove it to see if the blockage has gone.
Step 5: Flush the toilet
If you've been successful and the blockage seems to be removed, you can remove the plunger and flush the toilet so it can refill.
If the toilet looks like it's going to overflow, your plunging efforts may not have been successful. In that case, you can open your toilet tank and pull the flapper open to stop the water flowing into the toilet bowl.
Repeat the plunging steps above to try to clear the blockage once again. If you have no luck after repeating steps 1-4, it might be time to call Tom Falk Plumbing. They know how to unclog a toilet when a plunger doesn't work.
How to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger
While a plunger might be your go-to equipment for clearing toilet clogs, you might also like to know how to unclog a toilet when a plunger won't work. You can unclog a toilet that won't drain in multiple ways. Try some of these techniques below!
A soap bar can be used with hot water to unclog a toilet.
Unclogging Method #2: Unclog a Toilet with Soap and Hot Water
Did you know there are multiple ways to unclog a toilet without a plunger? You can sometimes unclog a toilet using things most people have at home. Soap and hot water may be all it takes to clear your toilet clog and experience relief! Learn how to unclog a toilet with hot water and soap below:
Time needed: 30 minutes (approximately)
What you'll need:
- Soap
- 1 gallon of hot water
- A cup
- Gloves
Step 1: Make room in your toilet bowl
A clogged toilet can sometimes mean that the bowl is on the brink of overflowing. Before adding more water, you'll need to remove some.
Using a container that you won't use again or that will be easy to thoroughly clean, remove enough water to leave room for a gallon more.
Step 2: Place soap in the toilet bowl
After removing around a gallon of water, you can add soap to the toilet bowl. Liquid soap, dishwashing soap, shampoo, or even a few slivers of bar soap are all suitable options.
Step 3: Add hot water
Once your soap is in the toilet bowl, it's time to add one gallon of hot water. The water should be very hot but not boiling to avoid cracking the bowl. Aim for the water to be around the same temperature as drinkable tea or coffee. Once you pour the water into the bowl, let it sit for about 20 minutes.
Step 4: Flush the toilet
Once 20 minutes have passed, flush the toilet. If it starts to overflow as before, turn off the toilet water valve behind your toilet. You may then like to repeat steps 1-3 or call Tom Falk Plumbing for help.
Unclogging Method #3: How to Unclog a Toilet with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Open your pantry, and you may find that you have the necessary ingredients for learning how to get a toilet unclogged: baking soda and vinegar. Alongside being great cleaning products, baking soda and vinegar may also help clear toilet and drain clogs and are touted among the most effective and natural ways to unclog a toilet.
Time needed: 10-15 minutes (approximately)
What you'll need:
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 2 cups of distilled white vinegar
- Gloves
- A cup
Step 1: Fill the toilet halfway with water
If your toilet bowl doesn't already have water, use a container or bucket to fill it to around halfway with hot water. The goal is to ensure the toilet has enough water to cause a chemical reaction but not enough to overflow!
Step 2: Add the baking soda
Once you've added the hot water to your toilet bowl, pour one cup of baking soda into it. You should always tip the baking soda in before the vinegar, or there can be a much faster reaction that doesn't effectively clear your toilet clog.
Step 3: Pour in the vinegar
Start slowly pouring two cups of distilled white vinegar into the toilet bowl. Add the vinegar slowly, as you don't want the reaction from the baking soda and vinegar to cause the bowl to overflow.
Step 4: Wait 30 minutes
Patience is required when using baking soda and vinegar to unclog a toilet that won't drain. Once your concoction is in the toilet bowl, wait for approximately 30 minutes for it to work its magic.
Step 5: Check the progress
There can be signs that your vinegar and baking soda concoction is a success. Look for a lower water level in your toilet and bubbles from the bottom of the toilet bowl. If these signs are present, you can flush your toilet.
If your toilet looks like it will overflow, turn off the toilet water valve, typically located behind the toilet. You may like to repeat steps 1-4, try another of the different ways to unclog a toilet, or contact Tom Falk Plumbing to help clear the clog properly.
You can use metal coat hangers to unclog a toilet by pushing the debris through the pipes.
Unclogging Method #4: How to Unclog a Toilet with a Hanger
Whether you haven't experienced success with baking soda and vinegar and a plunger, or you don't own these products, you can try something more…inventive: a coat hanger. While not always the easiest way to unclog a toilet, you may experience luck using a standard coat hanger found in the average closet.
Time needed: 10-15 minutes (approximately)
What you'll need:
- 1 coat hanger
- Gloves
- Duct tape
- A cloth
Step 1: Transform your coat hanger into a tool
Once you've taken a wire coat hanger from your closet, it's time to turn it into a functional toilet unclogging tool! Unravel the wire coat hanger and bend one end of it back onto itself a few inches. Wrap that end in cloth and duct tape to prevent it from scratching your toilet.
Step 2: Unclog your toilet
Once you've created your toilet tool, insert the hanger into the toilet bowl and push debris down the pipe until you can flush. Twist and make the coat hanger in a circular motion.
Step 3: Feel for a clog
Once the coat hanger is in your pipe, feel for the obstruction causing your toilet to be clogged. You can push the coat hanger against it to push it down your pipe. The clog may be further down if you don't feel the obstruction. At this point, you may need to call Tom Falk Plumbing to help.
Bonus Unclogging Method: Unclog a Toilet with a Homemade Toilet Bomb
Not all drain care products are safe for toilets and drains. Many things can be harmful to your pipes and health. Fortunately, you can make your own 'toilet bomb' that may remove pesky clogs in toilets. It may not be the fastest way to unclog a toilet, but it can be a safe alternative to drain care products.
Time needed: Four hours (approximately)
What you'll need:
- ¼ cup of Epsom salt
- 9 tablespoons of liquid dish soap
- 2 cups of baking soda
- A tablespoon
- Muffin tin
- Muffin cups/parchment paper
Step 1: Combine the ingredients
Combine the Epsom salt, liquid dish soap, and baking soda and press them into a muffin tin lined with parchment paper or muffin cups.
Step 2: Wait
Let the 'toilet bombs' dry overnight before putting one into your clogged toilet. Pour in four cups of water and let the toilet sit for four hours.
Step 3: Flush the toilet
Once the toilet bombs have had a chance to break down the clog in your drain, you can flush your toilet. If the water rises, turn off the toilet water shut off valve behind the toilet. You may like to repeat the process or contact Tom Falk Plumbing.
Why Do Toilets Clog?
Toilet clogs can be frustrating plumbing problems, and you may be tired of trying home remedies to unclog them. While you can always call Tom Falk Plumbing for help, it doesn't hurt to know why toilets clog in the first place. You may then stand a better chance of avoiding clogs in the future.
Toilets can become clogged for many reasons, including:
- Flushing non-flushable items down your toilet, like paper towels, feminine products, dental floss, and diapers
- Using too much toilet paper and having it stick to drain lines and pipes
- Having old pipes
- Having a low-flow toilet
- Having an improperly installed toilet
- Mineral build-up
- A clogged S-trap that connects your drain line and toilet bowl
- A tree root in the sewer line
Help! My Toilet Won't Unclog! Contact Tom Falk Plumbing
While many people have luck clearing their toilet clogs with baking soda and vinegar, plungers, coat hangers, and soap with hot water, that's not everyone's experience. You may be stuck with a pesky toilet clog that just won't drain away! In that case, Tom Falk Plumbing is here to help.
Your locally owned and operated Tom Falk Plumbing knows how to unclog a severely clogged toilet and can assist with other plumbing emergencies like clogged drains, frozen pipes, or a broken gas line. Our licensed and insured clogged drain plumbers utilize a comprehensive range of tools, technologies, and plumbing solutions to unclog toilets and put you back in the driver's seat of your plumbing systems.