Tips for Fixing a Clogged Toilet

Fixing a clogged toilet is an unpleasant task that everyone has to deal with at one point or another. Even the newest plumbing system can become clogged occasionally. Use the following tips to unclog your toilet and get your bathroom back to working order.

Prevent Overflow

When you notice that your toilet isn't draining properly, quickly remove the lid from the tank and push the flapper down to keep additional water from flowing into the toilet bowl. Then, before you begin to try to unclog the toilet, disconnect the water supply at the rear and bottom of the toilet.

Use a Plunger

The first step to unclogging the toilet, and often the only step you'll need, is using a plunger. Make sure the plunger has a good seal and that there is enough water in the bowl to cover the plunger. Move it up and down quickly to clear the block in the plumbing system. You may have to do this process several times to completely clear the plumbing.

Snake the Toilet

If a plunger doesn't do the trick, invest in an auger, better known as a snake, at your local hardware store. Extend the cable into the toilet drain. Put tension on the snake and turn it to push a hole through the block in the drain. Once the drain is unblocked, use a plunger to further clear the drain.

Call a Professional

If you can't unclog a toilet with a plunger or snake, the next step is removing the toilet to get better access to the drain. While you can remove the toilet yourself, it's best to call a professional plumber to try to clear the clog. The plumber will have a professional, industrial strength snake with enough cable to push the clog to the main sewage line. Once the clog is clear, reattach the toilet and reconnect the water supply.

With these tips, you will be better prepared the next time a toilet fails to flush properly.