What to Do When the Toilet Is Clogged?
If you're not careful, a clogged toilet can turn your bathroom into a swampy, smelly mess. Toilets become clogged because of an obstruction -- a too-large wad of toilet paper, feminine products or even keys your toddler threw into the bowl -- that prevents the water from exiting. Repeated flushing allows new water to fill the bowl, but the water level will only rise and overflow in the bowl until you remove the clog. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Precautions and Preparations
-
When you encounter a toilet clog, the first instinct often is to flush again in the hopes that the water will force the obstruction loose and restore function. Ignore this instinct; flushing risks overflowing your water bowl, which can damage your bathroom floors and leak water into lower floors. You should turn off the water supply if your toilet won't stop running. Arrange rags or extra towels around the toilet's base to catch any sloshed water that could result from fixing the clog. It will make your cleanup job easier.
Plunge the Toilet
-
Many clogs can be fixed with a plunger, although it may take you several tries and a lot of exertion. With their domed ends, plungers create air pockets. The rapid plunging motion produces a vacuum that exerts force against the clog with every thrust. Don rubber gloves and put on clothes that you don't mind getting splashed with toilet water. Center the plunger's head over the toilet drain and begin plunging. Use rapid, firm strokes to exert the most pressure against the clog, but avoid pulling the plunger head away from the toilet drain as this will break the vacuum seal.
-
Dissolve With Hot Water
-
Some clogs, especially those caused by toilet paper or human waste, can be dissolved with hot water. If your plunging failed to make headway on the clog, fill a bucket with very hot water from the tub or sink tap. Slowly pour it into the toilet bowl, getting as close to the drain as possible. This is the best approach when the toilet bowl is not in danger of overflowing ; do not add to your problem by putting additional water in a near-capacity bowl. Hot water is doubly helpful for clogs in which the toilet bowl is empty. The steaming water can work on the clog while helping create a vacuum for the plunger.
Use a Toilet Auger
-
Stubborn clogs call for an escalation in your approach. A toilet auger, also known as a closet auger, is a type of plumbing snake that will not scratch your toilet or pipes. General drain snakes are not recommended as they can damage the toilet. Turn the auger handle so the cable retracts to the end of the guide. Look at your toilet to determine whether it drained from the front or back, and insert the auger guide into the toilet drain following the draining direction. Crank the handle to send the cable into the toilet. Continue cranking until the tension is tight, and then reverse direction. Keep doing this until the auger is as far into the drain as possible or until you feel the auger push through the clog or grasp it. Retract the auger, and plunge the toilet again to loosen any clog remnants. Give your toilet a test flush to determine if the auger was successful.
Seek Professional Help
-
If your best efforts with the plunger, hot water and auger fail, contact a plumber. The clog may be further back into the pipes than normal household plumbing equipment can remove, but a professional will have the necessary tools available.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Toilet bowl and bidet in a toilet image by terex from Fotolia.com
