How to Unclog Toilet Bowls

Clogged toilet bowls may overflow if you do not close the water supply valve.

Clogs that obstruct the toilet's bowl's drainpipe cause a potentially messy situation, since you run the risk of the bowl overflowing if you are not careful. By using the correct tools, such as a funnel cup plunger, you'll dislodge the clog in the toilet's drainpipe without making a mess. A home improvement center sells funnel cup plungers and toilet augers, giving you the necessary tools to take on tough toilet clogs.

Things You'll Need

• Funnel cup toilet plunger
• Toilet auger

Instructions

1. Turn the toilet's shutoff valve handle clockwise to cut off the water supply to the toilet. Flush the toilet once if there is not enough water in the bowl to cover the plunger's cup.

2. Place the plunger in the toilet bowl so it sits firmly in the bowl's drain opening. Pump the plunger's handle up and down vigorously at least a dozen times in an effort to dislodge the clog in the drainpipe.

3. Insert the end of the toilet auger into the bowl's drain opening, with the curved end of the auger pointing upward so it does not scratch the bowl. Turn the crank on the auger clockwise to feed it into the toilet's drainpipe, continuing until you have fed the entire flexible portion of the auger into the drainpipe.

4. Turn the auger's crank counterclockwise to retract the auger from the toilet's drainpipe. Place the plunger over the drain hole and pump the handle a dozen more times. Turn the toilet's shutoff handle counterclockwise and flush the toilet to test the drainpipe.

5. Feed the auger into the toilet's drainpipe on the left and right sides if the toilet's drain is still sluggish. Flush the toilet after removing the auger from the toilet each time.

References

• This Old House: Clear Any Clogged Drain
• Drano: How to Unclog a Toilet