5 Ways to Unclog a Toilet

There’s no convenient time for a toilet to clog. When the water won’t drain, you’re faced with a messy, embarrassing situation that can completely upend your household. Fortunately, most toilet clogs are relatively easy to clear. You simply need the right tools and techniques.

Unclog a Toilet with a Plunger

The traditional method is to use a plunger. Here’s how:

• If the toilet bowl is filled to the brim, scoop out some of the water into a bucket so you can plunge without making a mess.
• Lower the plunger into the bowl, forming a tight seal around the drain opening.
• Plunge the toilet with firm, up-and-down motions. The plunger should force the blockage out of the pipe.
• After several plunging motions, pull the plunger up to break the seal. You know the toilet is fixed if water rushes down the drain. If this doesn’t happen, continue plunging.
• Once the water level drops, it’s safe to flush the toilet.

How to Unclog a Toilet without a Plunger

What if your toilet is clogged and you don’t have a plunger? You could run out and buy one, or you could try these unconventional ways to unclog a toilet:

• Hot water and soap: Scoop some water out of the clogged toilet. Squeeze a half cup of dish soap or shampoo into the toilet to lubricate the clogged pipe. Then, pour a gallon of hot (not boiling) water into the bowl. Wait 10 to 20 minutes for the soap and hot water to soften the clog. If the toilet flushes now, you’re all set!
• Baking soda and vinegar: Pour one cup of baking soda into the clogged toilet, followed by a mixture of three cups boiling and two cups white vinegar. Let the ingredients work for 20 to 30 minutes before attempting to flush.
• Coat hanger: You can craft a makeshift drain snake with a straightened wire coat hanger. Make a hook at one end and duct tape cloth over it to prevent scratching your toilet. Then, insert the hanger into the drain, pushing and twisting to dislodge the clog. Pull the contraption out and flush the toilet to test your work.
• Disposable water bottle: Remove as much water as possible from the toilet bowl. Then, fill a large disposable water bottle with hot water. Wearing rubber gloves, place your thumb over the bottle’s opening and fit it top-end down into the toilet drain. Remove your thumb and squeeze the bottle to shoot hot water down the pipe. This should clear up the clog.

If your toilet remains clogged after these attempts to fix it, get help from Parley’s PPM Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We’ll make your plumbing emergency our top priority, drawing on over 40 years of experience handling situations like yours. Call us at 801-226-3033 if you live in Utah County, or reach us at 801-229-2665 if you’re a Salt Lake County resident. You can also contact us online to request emergency plumbing services.