How to Unclog a Toilet When Nothing Else Seems to Work

Unclogging a toilet is never a fun or easy task. We rarely think about what to do when our toilet clogs until something actually goes wrong. Unclogging a blockage can be as simple as using a plunger to clear the drain, but it may also require calling a plumber if the clog is far down the pipe or extremely difficult to remove.

So, what is the best way to unclog a toilet? Whether you’re currently in a bind and trying to find out how to fix a porcelain backup, or you want to be prepared the next time you’re faced with a stubborn clog, continue reading to find out which method of unclogging a toilet might work for you.

The Plunger

Considering they’re the most useful tool to use when a blockage occurs in a toilet, most households are prepared with their own plunger.
The best type of plunger has a flange, which is the smaller cup that extends down the bottom end of the plunger. A flange is designed to fit standard toilets better than the conventional cup plunger. However, if you already have a cup plunger or a different style than a flange, any type of plunger will work in a pinch.
You may have been in situations where you’ve used a plunger in the past, but knowing how to correctly use one can help you save a little elbow grease and have a better chance of unclogging your toilet.

The best way to use a plunger:

1. Always wear rubber cleaning gloves to protect you from any potential splashing.
2. Hold the handle and insert the plunger into the bowl. Make sure that the cup or flange part fully covers the drain, and push down gently. The first push is to eliminate air trapped under the cup or flange as well as to create a seal between the plunger cup and the toilet drain.
3. Once you’ve created this seal, you can plunge with a little more force. Do this a handful of times.
4. Finally, pull the plunger up quickly to break the seal. If you successfully unclogged the blockage, water will rush down the drain.

While tried and true, plunging your toilet doesn’t always remove the clog. If you still find yourself with a backup situation after giving plunging a try, this next method might get the job done.

Vinegar and Baking Soda Mixture

This next toilet trick requires ingredients you probably already have in your pantry: vinegar and baking soda.
To start, completely dissolve one cup of baking soda in one cup of hot water. Pour the mixture into your blocked toilet and wait a couple of minutes. Then, pour two cups of vinegar into the toilet. Allow the vinegar and baking soda to react for at least 15 minutes.
You will notice bubbles and fizzing that occur from the chemical reaction of the vinegar/baking soda combo; these bubbles do a great job of breaking down a clog and clearing your drain. After you’ve waited for the mixture to react, you will need to flush the toilet to establish if the clog has been cleared.

You’ll know the blockage is gone if your toilet makes a suction sound when flushed and the water drains normally. You can try this method a few times in a row for stubborn clogs, but if it doesn’t help unclog the blockage, try our last tip for getting rid of a clog.

Plumbing Snake

This last method requires another tool, an auger or toilet snake. You can easily purchase this tool in your local hardware store or supermarket for a good price. Essentially, this tool is a flexible wire with a hook on the end, designed to easily fit in a drain pipe to reach clogs that are hard to get to.

Again, wear rubber gloves to protect yourself from any splashing that might occur when using this method. Start by threading the wire slowly into the toilet until you feel a little resistance. Next, push and turn the snake’s handle clockwise to force the blockage down the drain.

You will be able to tell when the snake moves without resistance. After you feel this change, remove the snake and flush the toilet to make sure it’s clear and draining normally. If it’s still not flowing the way it should, you can try this method a few more times.

Always proceed with caution when using a drain snake to unclog an appliance, and be aware that these tools can scratch the toilet.

Still Backed Up?

If you’ve tried out tricks and your toilet is still clogged, give Lenox Plumbing a call or schedule an appointment online to ensure that your clog is taken care of for good! Our professional plumbers will be able to safely and easily get to the bottom of any nasty clog, saving you from unnecessary stress and frustration.