The blockage in the toilet always seems to happen at the wrong time. Fortunately, you can work around most of these blockages without having to pay for the services of a plumber. Most toilet blockages can be removed with a good vacuum cleaner, or a home drain cleaner made of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar. To clear deeper blockages, try using a plumbing snake or a wet/dry vacuum cleaner.
Table of contents
Step
Method 1 of 7: Vacuum Cleaner
Step 1. Try not to overflow the toilet
If the water in the toilet drain won't drain after you flush it, don't flush again. This will only make water flood the toilet bowl. Instead, open the toilet tank and close the flapper valve. This will prevent more water from entering the toilet bowl.
- This flapper valve looks like a water inlet cap connected by a chain.
- The water in the toilet tank is not dirty. So sticking your hand in it to close the flapper valve is not a problem.
Step 2. Prepare the bathroom
To deal with the possibility of splashing water from the toilet, spread old newspapers or paper towels on the bathroom floor as an absorbent. This layer of paper will make it easier for you to clean the bathroom after this. You should also turn on the ventilation fan or open the bathroom window to reduce odors.
- If the blockage is serious, wear rubber gloves. The toilet is a dirty place, and rubber gloves can protect you from the germs that are there. Choose rubber gloves that can cover up to your elbows.
- You may also need to wear old clothes just in case.
Step 3. See if you can clear the blockage
If you can see the cause of the toilet blockage, put your hand in and remove the object from the toilet if possible. If the object is out of reach of your hand but you can see it (such as a child's toy), don't use a suction device and try something else.
Step 4. Use a high quality suction tool
You should use a suction cup made of thick rubber, whether it's spherical or has a pointed tip underneath like a drain cap. Don't use an inexpensive cup-shaped suction cup, as they often won't clear the blockage.
- If the suction device doesn't seal the toilet drain tightly, try wrapping a rag around the end of the appliance to close the gap.
- Run the suction device with hot water before use. Hot water will soften the rubber so that the suction device can seal the toilet drain.
Step 5. Insert the suction device into the toilet bowl
Make sure the suction device covers the entire toilet drain hole. To be effective, this tool should be immersed in water. You should push and compress the water with this tool, not the air. If necessary, pour water from the faucet to increase the volume of water in the toilet bowl.
Press the suction device in the toilet hole. Start by pressing and pulling slowly, as this will push air into the toilet bowl. Press down, then pull up hard to shake the blockage and loosen it. Keep pushing and pulling the suction cup until the water is flowing again. It may take you 15-20 minutes before the blockage in the toilet opens. Be patient, as long as there are no hard objects clogging the toilet, the use of a vacuum cleaner will often suffice. This method may not work right away, but it often does after a few tries/flushing the toilet with repeated pressing and pushing
Step 6. Flush the toilet to check the flow
If using the suction device eventually causes the water that has been standing in the toilet bowl to drain, but the blockage is still blocking the flow of water, leave the suction cup alone and refill the toilet bowl with water. Fill the water up to the usual amount of water, then press and pull the suction cup again. Stubborn blockages may have to be overcome by doing this a number of times.
Method 2 of 7: Enzyme Products
Step 1. Purchase an enzymatic dirt-cleaning product
Look for products that contain a mixture of enzymes to dissolve dirt. This enzyme is used in the sewer system to break down the impurities there.
- These products can be purchased at home improvement stores on shelves or around plumbing racks. Enzymatic dirt cleaners are better than chemical drain cleaners because they won't damage water pipes or the environment.
- This method is useful for dealing with blockages caused by organic waste, not toys or other objects.
Step 2. Follow the instructions on the product packaging
Pour the enzyme product as directed into the toilet bowl. You are usually asked to leave it overnight while the enzymes work to clear the blockage. Your toilet should be flowing again once the blockage is cleared.
Method 3 of 7: Home Drain Cleaner
Step 1. Heat about 2 liters of water
If your toilet clogs easily from draining too much dirt, using a mixture of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar can often solve the problem like a commercial drain cleaner. Bring 2 liters of water to a boil, then let it cool for a while while you add the rest of the ingredients to the toilet bowl.
- Use at least 2 liters of water. A little water will not work to overcome the blockage because the thrust is not strong enough.
- The water temperature should not exceed the temperature of the hot tea you can drink. The water should not boil because very hot water can crack the porcelain. You just need to increase the temperature of the water passing through the perimeter or press the blockage.
Step 2. Pour 1 cup of baking soda and 2 cups of vinegar into the toilet
The chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar will help dissolve the blockage. Distilled white vinegar is usually used in this step, but you can use any vinegar. This mixture will produce quite a lot of foam.
- If you don't have baking soda or vinegar at home, try pouring some dish soap into the toilet bowl. Soap may help loosen the blockage.
- This method usually doesn't work with blockages caused by hard objects such as toys.
Step 3. Pour hot water into the toilet
Pour hot water from waist height, not near the edge of the toilet. Pushing water into the toilet bowl will help clear the blockage.
Step 4. Leave this mixture overnight
In the morning, the stagnant water should have flowed. This home-cleaning mix can clear blockages caused by organic matter. If the puddle in the toilet doesn't drain, there may be something hard blocking the drain. Try using a coat hanger wire or plumbing snake.
Method 4 of 7: Plumbing Snake
Step 1. Purchase or borrow a plumbing snake
Also sometimes referred to as a "flexible cleaner," or auger, this is a flexible wire that can follow the grooves of a water line and go deeper than ordinary wire. The best flexible wire option is the "closet auger" which is specially designed to clear clogs in toilets without damaging or scratching the toilet surface. A plumber will probably use a closet auger.
Step 2. Insert one end of the flexible wire into the drain
Push down so that the wire can go further down the drain until you feel the blockage.
Step 3. Twist and push the flexible wire through the blockage
The goal is to break the blockage into small pieces that can flow down the pipe. You may have to move the wire for a few minutes to clear the blockage. Once the water is running again, pour in the water to check if the water is flowing as fast as usual.
Step 4. Move in the opposite direction
You may need to change the toilet and move the flexible wire in the opposite direction. This is especially necessary if the blockage is caused by a hard object being pushed into the toilet by a child. If the blockage is caused by a hard object, and you are unable to remove and replace the toilet, contact a plumber.
Method 5 of 7: Hanger Wire
Step 1. Unfold and straighten the hanger wire
Then, wrap the ends with a rag. Use tape to glue the rag. The lining of the rag will prevent the sharp edges of the wire from damaging the porcelain finish of the toilet. Hangers are generally successful if the blockage is a few inches deep in the drain.
Step 2. Insert the end of the rag-coated wire into the toilet drain
Once the wire is in the drain, push it, and move it in a circle to clear the blockage. If you feel a blockage, push on the wire to press it down. Continue this step until the water in the toilet begins to drain.
- Be sure to wear rubber gloves while doing this. You may be splashed with dirty water while moving the wire.
- If the blockage is not felt, and the water in the toilet is not draining, the blockage may be out of reach of the wire. Try using a plumbing snake to fix this.
Step 3. Flush the toilet once the water starts flowing
Blockages and dirty water should be able to flow in the drain as usual. If the flow in the toilet is still slow, the blockage in it may be pushed further and further beyond the reach of the wire. If so, you'll need a plumbing snake to deal with it.
Method 6 of 7: Chemical Drain Cleaner
Step 1. Purchase a chemical drain cleaner
This product is available at most department stores, hardware stores, and major department stores. Use this method as a last resort. The chemicals contained in drain cleaning products are toxic to humans and animals, as well as corrosive to water pipes. In addition, drain cleaners containing chlorine are also very damaging to the environment.
- If you suspect the blockage is caused by a hard object, do not use chemical cleaners. Instead, use a plumbing snake or contact a plumber.
- Only use chemicals intended for toilet use. Drain cleaners can additionally damage the toilet.
Step 2. Pour the stated amount of cleaning product into the toilet
Be sure to follow the instructions for use on the packaging. Cover the toilet to prevent toxic product fumes from filling the bathroom.
- Never use a suction cup right after pouring a chemical cleaning product as it may splash onto your skin.
- Make sure the airflow in the bathroom is smooth so you don't inhale the fumes of the chemicals.
Method 7 of 7: Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner
Step 1. Purchase or borrow a wet/dry vacuum cleaner
If you have tried using a vacuum cleaner and a plumbing snake, but to no avail, consider using a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. Do not use a regular vacuum cleaner. You should use a wet/dry vacuum that is waterproof.
Step 2. Empty the stagnant water in the toilet with a vacuum cleaner
The toilet must be free of standing water and other debris in order for the vacuum cleaner to suck up the blockage.
Step 3. Place the end of the vacuum cleaner hose into the toilet drain
Push the hose until it is a few inches into the drain. Use a flexible hose, not the funnel. Wrap an old towel around the toilet opening to close the gap around the hose.
Step 4. Turn on the vacuum cleaner
Use one hand to press the towel and close the toilet hole. Wait for a few moments, let the vacuum cleaner work. The vacuum cleaner will likely be successful in sucking the blockage.
Tips
- Clean the water holes around the toilet regularly to ensure smooth flow and reduce the chance of clogging. If you haven't cleaned it in a while, you may need to use a screwdriver to remove the dirt build-up there.
- Before trying: if you see (or hear) water running down the sink or shower every time you flush the toilet, this means that the blockage is deep and will eventually interfere with the toilet's functioning. No need to try the method above. Ask a plumber for help.
- If your toilet gets clogged frequently, try to find out what caused it and prevent it from happening again. Common causes of clogs in toilets are toilet paper residue, tampons / sanitary napkins (some types of tampons can be thrown into the toilet, but most do not), toys (both by children and pets), earplugs, and baby wipes. Consider posting a list of "nothings to put in the toilet" to keep the toilet drain smooth.
- Clean the toilet thoroughly. Disinfect the toilet bowl with a disinfectant cleaner after the blockage is cleared. Dispose of wires (if used) and disinfect or dispose of rubber gloves and other equipment (such as suction cups or plumbing snakes) that you use. These appliances can spread bacteria and emit odors if not cleaned properly. After use, there may still be some water remaining in the WC suction device (especially the wheel suction device). Lift the suction device over the toilet, turn it slightly, and shake it to release the water so it doesn't drip on the bathroom floor.
- A floor mop with a plastic bag covering the end can be used as an alternative to vacuuming the toilet.
Warning
- Most of the home drain cleaning products available at convenience stores are not suitable for use in the toilet. Check the label on the product packaging to make sure it is suitable for use in toilet drains. Keep in mind that some drain cleaning products will generate high temperatures when reacting with water. If not handled properly, these high temperatures can cause serious damage to the toilet and the plastic pipes that connect to the toilet.
- Drain cleaning chemicals are usually very toxic and dangerous. Avoid contact with skin and eyes, and do not mix it with other chemicals. Follow the instructions on the package carefully, and heed all warnings.
- Do not push or pull the suction cup hard on the toilet as this is unnecessary and will cause water to splash.
- Hangers and plumbing snakes can scratch the porcelain surface of the toilet. Try to be careful and minimize the damage, at least in the part of the toilet that is visible from the outside. Insert the end of the clothes hanger that has been shaped into a hook with pliers and covered with tape to remove the blockage from the toilet drain. Carefully remove the blockage from the toilet drain and remove it slowly in one motion.
