How to Unclog a Toilet Pipe

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Things You'll Need

  • Toilet plunger

  • Petroleum jelly

  • Toilet auger

Use a plunger first to see if the clog will come free.

Toilet pipes clog slowly over time or all at once, causing the toilet to either drain slowly or not drain at all until you dislodge or remove the clog. Instead of attempting to use liquid agents to unclog the toilet, which can possibly result in serious injury or even death, use plumbing instruments to remove pipe clogs. Some clogs come free after you plunge the toilet, while more stubborn clogs require the use of an auger.

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Step 1

Coat the edges of a toilet plunger with petroleum jelly. Lower the plunger into the water so that it completely covers the drain hole in the bottom of the toilet bowl.

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Step 2

Push and pull the plunger's handle up and down vigorously at least a dozen times without pulling the plunger off of the bottom of the toilet bowl. Remove the plunger and try flushing the toilet again to see if the clog has come free.

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Step 3

Feed a toilet auger into the middle of the toilet's drain opening. Point the curved tip on the end of the auger upward as it enters the drain opening, then crank the handle clockwise as you continue to feed the auger into the toilet.

Step 4

Force the auger through any areas of resistance by pushing it forward as you crank the handle clockwise vigorously. Retract the auger once you have fed the entire cable into the toilet, spinning the handle counterclockwise.

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Step 5

Flush the toilet once more to remove any remnants of the clog. Feed the auger down the left and right sides of the toilet's drain hole if the toilet still drains slowly, then flush the toilet again.

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