How to Unstop a Clogged Toilet

A clogged toilet is a nuisance that must be fixed sooner rather than later.

If you use mounds of toilet paper when using the restroom, you may find yourself with a clogged toilet sooner or later. Most household toilets can only accept so much fecal matter and paper products before they're stopped up. Becoming handy with your toilet plunger may just save you a visit from your local plumber should your toilet fail to flush.

Things You'll Need

• 2 large towels (optional)
• Toilet plunger

Instructions

1. Place a large towel around the base of the toilet. Spread out another large towel near the toilet. The towels will catch any overflowing water that flows from the toilet.

2. Place a toilet plunger onto the opening of the toilet bowl where it flushes down. If any feces or other particles are blocking the opening, try to move the offending material around and away from the opening, using the rubber side of the plunger

3. Pump the plunger over the toilet opening until it begins to suction up any clogged contents from the toilet's pipes. The clogged debris will rise up into the toilet, and the toilet bowl should drain all excess water into its pipes.

4. Flush the toilet once more to check for any remaining clogs.

Tips & Warnings

• To keep the toilet from clogging up again, flush the toilet while using it to prevent piles of toilet paper and feces from accumulating when finally flushing. Place used sanitary napkins and tampons into a separate bag for later disposal instead of simply flushing them down the toilet. Tampons are designed to expand upon contact with any liquid and often clog toilets.

References

• Apartment Therapy: How to Keep the Toilet Humming Along