How to Fix a Clogged Overflowing Toilet

Clear your clogged toilet without the help of a professional plumber.

A clogged toilet is typically due to a blockage in the pipes resulting from large amounts of toilet paper or non-flushables such as paper towels being flushed. When the water cannot pass through the pipes, it fills the bowl and can overflow onto the floor. Rather than spend money on a professional plumber, you can try to clear the blockage yourself using plumbing tools commonly found at your local hardware store.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• Force-ball plunger
• Closet auger

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Instructions

1. Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands from bacteria.

2. Insert the force-ball plunger into the toilet and cover the drain.

3. Push down on the plunger's handle and pull up to create a suction action.

4. Lift the plunger from the toilet to allow the water to drain through the piping. If the plunger does not unclog the toilet, insert the closet auger into the drain.

5. Turn the auger's handle clockwise to break up the blockage and flush the toilet.

References

• Ace Hardware: Unstopping Clogged Drains, Toilets and Sewers
• "Good Housekeeping The Complete Household Handbook"; Editors of Good Housekeeping; April 2007