5 Easy Ways to Unclog Your Toilet: Helpful Guide
A clogged toilet is every homeowner’s nightmare—it’s inconvenient, often messy, and can disrupt the entire household. If you’re facing this challenge, don’t worry! With the right tools and techniques, most clogged toilets can be fixed quickly and without professional plumbers. This guide outlines 5 easy ways to unclog your toilet, ensuring a clean, smooth-flowing system in no time.
At Derks Plumbing, We are a licensed, insured, and bonded team with over 16 years of experience in the plumbing industry; we’ve helped countless homeowners in Los Angeles, Burbank, and surrounding areas with everything from minor toilet issues to complete plumbing system overhauls, If you need any plumbing related help our plumber Inglewood, CA, is ready to tackle the job done right. In this blog, we’ll share DIY solutions and help you understand when to call in a professional.
Let’s dive into this helpful guide!
Why You Need to Unclog Your Toilet
A clogged toilet is more than just a minor inconvenience. If left unresolved, it can escalate into a severe plumbing issue. Here are some of the key reasons why taking immediate action is crucial:
1. Preventing Major Plumbing Damage
A simple blockage in the toilet bowl may seem minor initially, but it could be a symptom of a more significant problem. For example:
- Sewer line backups: Persistent clogs can lead to pressure buildup, potentially damaging the sewer line.
- Damage to drain lines: If the clog isn’t removed promptly, it could weaken the pipes over time, requiring costly repairs.
2. Avoiding Overflow and Water Damage
One flush can turn a minor blockage into an overflowing mess. Water spillage can ruin:
- Floors and carpets.
- Adjacent fixtures and walls.
- Underlying structures like subfloors.
3. Maintaining Hygiene and Health
Standing water in a toilet bowl is unpleasant and a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Overflows can expose your family to harmful pathogens, making immediate action essential.
4. Saving on Expensive Repairs
Minor issues addressed early often cost little to nothing. Ignoring a clog, however, might mean expensive repairs down the line, such as replacing drain lines or repairing a sewer system damaged by tree roots.
Step 1: Unclog the Toilet with a Plunger
When unclogging a toilet, the humble plunger is the go-to tool for many households. Here’s how to use it effectively:
Choosing the Right Plunger
Not all plungers are created equal. For toilets, a flange plunger (with an extended rubber lip) works best because:
- It creates a tight seal within the toilet bowl.
- It delivers strong suction, effectively loosening clogs.
How to Use a Plunger Properly
Follow these steps for the best results:
Prepare the area: Lay old towels around the toilet’s base to catch any spills.
Position the plunger over the toilet drain, ensuring the flange fits snugly into the hole.
Apply pressure: Push down firmly but gently to avoid splashing.
Create suction: Pull back slightly without breaking the seal.
Repeat: Perform 10–15 plunging motions. If the water starts to drain, it’s working!
Pro Tip: If the first attempt doesn’t work, give it a second try. Sometimes, repeating the process is critical to dislodging stubborn clogs.
Step 2: Use a Toilet Snake or Auger
When the plunger doesn’t work, a toilet snake (also called a toilet auger) is your next best bet. This flexible tool is designed to navigate the drain curves of the toilet, breaking apart clogs lodged more profoundly in the plumbing system.
Why Use a Toilet Auger?
- Reaches deeper clogs: Perfect for blockages beyond the toilet bowl.
- Safe for toilets: Unlike some drain cleaners, it won’t damage the porcelain or pipes.
- Easy to operate: Even beginners can use it effectively.
How to Use a Toilet Snake
Insert the drill: Push the flexible coil into the toilet drain until you feel resistance.
Rotate the handle: Turn the drill’s handle clockwise to break the clog or latch onto the blockage.
Pull out debris: Carefully retract the snake, removing any foreign objects causing the clog.
Flush the toilet: Once the blockage is cleared, flush to confirm smooth drainage.
Common Blockages Addressed by Toilet Augers:
- Excessive toilet paper.
- Tiny foreign objects (e.g., children’s toys).
- Build-up of non-flushable items like wipes or paper towels.
Step 3: Try Dish Soap and Hot Water
Sometimes, a simple dish soap and hot water mixture can work wonders on minor clogs. This method is gentle on your toilet and highly effective for soft blockages caused by organic materials or grease.
Why This Method Works
- Dish soap: Acts as a lubricant, helping to loosen the clog.
- Hot water: Softens the blockage, making it easier to flush.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Add dish soap: Pour 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap directly into the toilet bowl.
Heat water: Warm about a gallon of water, ensuring it’s hot but not boiling (boiling water can crack the porcelain).
Pour carefully: Slowly pour the hot water into the toilet bowl to avoid splashing.
Wait and flush: Allow the mixture to sit for 15–20 minutes before attempting to flush.
Step 4: Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
This classic household remedy isn’t just for cleaning drains—it’s also a natural, chemical-free way to tackle toilet clogs.
Why Baking Soda and Vinegar Work
- Baking soda: Breaks down organic material and absorbs odors.
- Vinegar: Creates a fizzing reaction that helps dislodge clogs.
The Process
Prepare the toilet: Remove excess water from the toilet bowl if necessary.
Add baking soda: Pour one cup of baking soda into the bowl.
Pour vinegar: Add one cup of white vinegar.
Wait for fizzing: Let the chemical reaction bubble and fizz for 20–30 minutes.
Flush the toilet: Use hot water to flush and clear the remaining blockage.
Pro Tip: Repeat the process for stubborn clogs or combine this method with plunging for added effectiveness.
Step 5: Remove the Clog with a Wet/Dry Vacuum
A wet/dry vacuum can be a game-changer for particularly stubborn clogs. While it’s a less conventional method, it’s highly effective for removing solid objects or heavy blockages.
How to Use a Wet/Dry Vacuum
Set up the vacuum: Ensure it’s set to “wet” mode and attach the appropriate nozzle.
Seal the drain: Wrap a towel around the nozzle to create a tight seal over the toilet drain.
Suction the clog: Turn on the vacuum and allow it to pull the blockage out.
Dispose of debris: Safely remove and discard the clog.
Tips to Prevent Toilet Clogs
Prevention is always better than cure. Follow these tips to keep your toilet running smoothly:
Flush only toilet-safe materials: Avoid flushing wipes, paper towels, or hygiene products.
Monitor your plumbing system: Schedule routine inspections with professional plumbers to catch potential issues early.
Educate your household: Teach children what not to flush, such as toys or foreign objects.
Use less toilet paper: Overloading the toilet with paper is a common cause of clogs.
Are You Worried About a Clogged Toilet? Call Us Now!
If you’ve tried these methods and your toilet is still clogged or are worried about how it works, it might be time to call the professionals. Derks Plumbing has spent over 16 years providing top-notch plumbing services to Los Angeles and surrounding areas, including Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, and Santa Monica.
Why Choose Derks Plumbing?
- Expertise in toilet repairs and installations.
- Affordable rates with guaranteed satisfaction.
We’re here whether you need help unclogging a toilet, installing a new one, or inspecting your plumbing system. Call Derks Plumbing today at (323) 284-2410 or visit our website to book an appointment!