A clogged toilet requires immediate attention. Every home needs a working toilet, so how can you unclog it before it backs up? With five simple steps, you can take matters into your own hands and unclog a toilet.
At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we help homeowners across Los Angeles and the surrounding with various plumbing issues, including clogged or overflowing toilets. We understand how stinky it is to deal with plumbing problems, so we're dedicated to addressing and informing people about common bathroom scenarios where they can fix issues themselves.
Here's how to unclog a toilet in five easy-to-follow steps.
- Shut off the water connection to the toilet.
- Prepare the area by gathering towels, cleaning supplies, and gloves.
- Grab the plunger and start unclogging.
- Double-check that the toilet is no longer clogged.
- Clean the area.
We will review each step in depth so that by the time you finish this article, you can increase your chances of unclogging your toilet successfully.
Let's get started!
What To Do if Your Toilet is Clogged
Toilets can clog for various reasons, such as excessive toilet paper waste or non-flushable items stuck inside. A clogged toilet should be limited to that single fixture, but other drain fixtures can back up.
If you notice waste coming up from any other drain, it's highly recommended that you contact a professional plumber since the issue may be related to a clogged or damaged sewer line. If your toilet continues to clog up or wasn't successful in unclogging it, contact a certified plumber for further assistance.
Even if you master the skill of unclogging toilets, it may be best to consider a replacement. A toilet that keeps clogging up and not flushing is one of the signs it's time for a toilet replacement.
Before you contact a technician, attempt to unclog a toilet with the following five steps.
1. Shut Off the Water Line Connection
Before you begin plunging away, shut off the water line connection to the toilet. The water line connection is a knob located near the bottom of the toilet.
Shutting off the water line connection can help prevent water from overflowing inside the bowl. It's a common mistake to attempt to flush the toilet again when they notice it isn't flushing. The blockage inside the toilet can lead to a backup, quickly becoming messy and gross.
After turning off the water line connection, it's now time to prep the area.
2. Prep the Area
Before plunging away, place a towel, shower mat, old newspapers, or magazines around the toilet's base. This helps keep the area dry from overflowing or splashing from the plunger.
It's also recommended to grab a pair of gloves. Latex or rubber gloves, like kitchen gloves, for example, protect your hands from contacting any waste in the toilet that can carry harmful fecal bacteria.
Once your gloves are on, go ahead and grab a plunger.
3. Grab a Plunger
Make sure to have the right kind of plunger on hand to tackle toilet clogs. Toilet plungers have a flap sticking out of the bottom. Accordion plungers are also acceptable since their design allows for easier suction.
Whichever plunger you use, slowly place it down on the hole to ensure it's sealed. Pull the plunger up gently without loosening the suction once the plunger can't go any lower.
Repeat the plunging process a couple of times. If the water level in the toilet bowl is low, add more water from the sink to help the plunger have suction.
After several plunging cycles, turn on the water line connection and try flushing the toilet again.
4. Ensure the Clog is Gone
If the toilet still doesn't flush, repeat the plunging cycle and try again. Some homeowners have reported repeating the process a few times before the toilet is successfully unclogged.
If the toilet remains clogged, a toilet auger known as a snake may help remove any stubborn blockage. Toilet snakes are available in various stores and can be manually operated.
The end of the snake is a flexible metal coil that can reach into the toilet drain. The other end has a turn handle that spins the coil to break up the clog. You may need to contact a certified plumber if the auger and plunger successfully unclog the toilet.
Once your toilet is good to go, you can start to finish up by cleaning.
5. Clean the Area
Clean the toilet, plunger (and auger if you used it), and the area around the toilet. Use disinfectant to ensure you don't contaminate other parts of your restroom with toilet germs.
As a precaution, you can use a toilet drain cleaner to clear the pipes without causing any damage. Once you're done, wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Moving Forward from Clogged Toilet
As annoying as a clogged toilet is, any homeowner can unclog it with the right instructions. If you ever run into another clog again, you know the necessary steps to take care of it.
At Monkey Wrench, we've unclogged thousands of toilets throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding counties. Although we have years of experience, we believe in guiding homeowners who want to unclog their toilets independently.
If you need help with a recurring clogged toilet, contact us using one of the buttons below. You can also book an appointment directly through our plumbing services online scheduler.
