How to Unclog a Really Clogged Toilet

A really clogged toilet requires extra attention.

Unclogging a really blocked toilet requires effort and patience. You can't determine just how clogged a toilet is by simply looking at it. Sometimes materials that were never designed to go into toilets still end up flushed down, and you will need to step up your efforts with plunging or using a toilet auger to repair the problem.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• Newspaper
• Bucket
• Toilet plunger
• Toilet auger
• Adjustable open end wrench
• Towel

Instructions

1. Place newspaper on the floor surrounding the toilet bowl to catch and soak the spillage from plunging. Empty some of the water trapped in the bowl into the bucket. Place the plunger's rubber cup over the bowl drain and pump the plunger up and down vigorously, then remove the plunger from the toilet. Flush the toilet. If the toilet is still clogged, plunge the toilet again.

2. Insert a toilet auger, commonly called a plumbing snake, into the bowl, if plunging the toilet does not work. Pull the auger's handle out first, to retract the cable into the auger tube. Gently place the auger's curved tube into the drain and firmly on the toilet bottom. Crank the handle clockwise to extend the cable through the drain pipe, while pushing down. Once you feel the auger reach the blockage, continue cranking the handle clockwise to loosen the blockage.

3. Pull the auger handle while cranking it clockwise to retract the blockage along with the auger cable, if possible. It helps if you know what is causing the blockage, such as if it's a cloth material. Carefully pull the auger from the toilet bowl and check for a drop in water level. If not, repeat the process with the auger. If you clear the blockage, dispose of the unclogged material in the bucket. If the auger does not do the trick, you may need to try an additional approach.

4. Turn off the water supply to the toilet. Remove as much water as possible from the tank into the bucket. Absorb any remaining water with a towel. Loosen the connecting nut to the supply hose at the water supply valve and remove the hose from the valve. Remove the nuts from the flange bolts that anchor the toilet to the floor on each side. Lift and remove the toilet from the drain. Remove the blockage from the drain.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear rubber gloves when plunging a toilet or using an auger.

• Watch out for spraying water from the toilet bowl, especially when plunging.

References

• Fix A Toilet: Bowl Overflows