How to Unstop a Commode
Almost everyone has used a plunger to unclog a toilet, but few do it correctly. The instinct is to jam the plunger down into the toilet to try to push the clog through. This often results in a cascade of water gushing up over the rim. The proper way to plunge a toilet isn't to push the clog but to pull it after expelling air from the plunger. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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If the toilet overflowed, mop the floor immediately. Place old towels around the base of the toilet in case of another overflow.
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Set the plunger gently into the toilet bowl. Tilt the plunger as you put it in to expel any trapped air.
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Press the plunger gently down into the drain at the bottom of the bowl, compressing the rubber. Do it slowly enough so you're not expelling water up out of the bowl.
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Once you have a tight seal in the bottom of the bowl, yank the plunger upward in a short, quick motion. Pull it just out of the hole but not out of the water. Slowly press it back into the hole, and yank it upward again. Repeat until the clog loosens and the bowl empties.
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Take the top off the toilet's water tank and set it aside. Locate the rubber stopper at the bottom of the tank. Lift it to flush the toilet. If water starts rising toward the rim of the bowl, reach into the tank and press the stopper back into place to cut off water flow before it overflows. Repeat the process until the toilet is unclogged.
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