How To Unblock a Toilet
How To Unblock a Toilet
Dealing with a blocked toilet is an unpleasant task. It’s important, however, to fix the problem before you end up with wastewater on your bathroom floor. Once you have completed the job, you’ll also be able to use your toilet again.
The good news is that clearing a blocked toilet usually isn’t that difficult. There are some well known methods that normally get rid of blockages very quickly. There are also other things you can do if the blockage is difficult to clear.
In this article, we’ll explain the best ways to unblock your toilet. We’ll give you step by step instructions for all the most well known and effective toilet unblocking methods. We’ll also tell you how to tell if your toilet isn’t draining properly and give you a few tips on how to stop your toilet from becoming blocked in the first place.
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Recognising the signs of a blocked toilet
The first thing is correctly identifying that your toilet is blocked. In some cases, you will actually be able to see the blockage inside your toilet bowl. More often, blockages happen out of sight, down the waste outlet pipe.
Here are the common signs that your toilet is blocked:
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Water rises too high after flushing – The earliest warning sign of a blockage is when the water level in the bowl rises higher than normal when you flush.
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The toilet does not flush at all – If the bowl fills with water and completely fails to drain, this means your toilet is completely blocked. Do not flush again because this could cause your toilet to overflow.
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Slow or weak flushing – If water drains away slowly or struggles to clear waste when you flush, this normally indicates a partial blockage in the waste pipe.
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Gurgling or bubbling noises – Unusual noises when flushing can be a sign that there is trapped air in the waste outlet pipe caused by a partial blockage.
Some other less common signs of a blockage are water backing up in other fixtures, like the sink or shower, foul odours coming from the toilet or nearby drains and intermittent flushing problems.
Normally, water backing up in other fixtures or foul odours are signs that there is a blockage much further down the drainage system.
Common causes of a blocked toilet
Here are the common reasons why toilets become blocked:
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Excessive use of toilet paper – The most common cause of a blocked toilet is using too much toilet paper at once. While toilet paper is designed to easily flush through waste outlet pipes, large amounts can build up and cause a blockage.
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Non-flushable items – Toilets often become blocked when people flush away items they shouldn’t. Common examples include wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, cotton pads, paper towels and general rubbish.
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Accidentally dropping objects into the toilet – Household objects can sometimes fall into the toilet and cause a blockage. This could be especially likely if there are shelves located above the toilet, or if children are playing in the area.
Be aware that toilets with low flow rates, or those with old, narrow, or damaged waste outlet pipes, are more prone to blockages.
Sometimes blockages that happen further down the drainage system can cause problems with flushing and make it seem like your toilet is blocked. When this happens, other fixtures connected to the same drainage system, like sinks or showers, will back up with water as well.
In some cases, a toilet might also fail to flush because the septic tank is full. As with a blockage further down the drainage, this will cause other fixtures on the same drainage system to back up. You can check your septic tank to see if it is full.
How to unblock a toilet:
In this section, we’ll explain the best ways to unblock a toilet. The order we’ve listed them in is the right order to try them.
Make sure you disconnect the water supply to your toilet before you try to unblock it. To do this, normally you need to find the water supply to the cistern and turn off the valve. If you’re able to, you should flush the toilet to empty the cistern. Otherwise, empty the cistern manually.
In some cases, you will find that the toilet won’t flush again after you reconnect the cistern to the mains. However, fixing a toilet that won’t flush is normally easy.
While you’re working on your toilet, it might be a good idea to see if it’s worth replacing any old or damaged parts with new toilet spares. Gather any plumbing tools you need before you start as well.
Unblocking a toilet with a plunger
Using a plunger to unblock a toilet is probably the most common and effective method. It’s also very easy.
Make sure you use a plunger that is designed for and fits your toilet. Sink plungers do not normally work.
When you use a plunger, you use suction to create pressure inside the waste outlet pipe that pushes the blockage through the pipe.
Here are the steps to follow unblock a toilet with a plunger
Step 1. Fill the toilet bowl with enough water to cover the rubber end of the plunger when it is placed over the drainage hole at the bottom of the toilet. Then place the rubber end of the plunger over the drain hole so it creates a seal.
If you find that your plunger does not create a tight seal, you can try running it under warm water to soften it up.
Step 2. The next step is to use the plunger to force the blocked water down the waste outlet pipe.
Push down firmly on the plunger to force water down the pipe and apply pressure to the blockage. Then pull against it to pull the water back up the waste outlet pipe. Repeat this action. You can apply an increasing amount of speed and force. However, be careful not to damage the drainage system.
Repeatedly forcing water in and out of the waste outlet pipe will normally dislodge or break up the blockage.
Step 3. Remove the plunger and see if the wastewater drains away. If it doesn’t, you can try repeating the process again.
If you successfully clear the blockage with the plunger, flush your toilet at least once to make sure you completely clear the outlet pipe.
Unblocking a toilet with hot water
The next method to try is using hot water. Often, this is a very easy but effective way to clear a blockage.
Be careful to use hot but not boiling water. Boiling water can crack the bowl or damage the waste outlet pipe system.
Hot water helps because it softens, dislodges and helps to break up waste and toilet paper. Adding washing up liquid isn’t essential, but it also helps with this process. Another key part of this method is pouring water from a slightly elevated height into the bowl. This increases the pressure inside the outlet pipe, helping to force the blockage out.
Here’s how to unblock a toilet with hot water:
Step 1. Make sure the toilet bowl is drained so there is only a small amount of water in the bottom of it.
Step 2. Pour approximately 150 ml of washing up liquid into the water if you have it available. Leave it to sit for at least 15 minutes. This will help to break up and dislodge the blockage.
Step 3. Heat up 2-3 litres of water in a kettle or pot. Remember that you should use hot rather than boiling water. So you might need to leave it to cool down before you use it.
Step 4. Pour the water from above the height of the toilet seat directly into the drainage hole. Be careful not to cause water to splash out of the toilet. However, you should also aim to create a swift flushing action that pushes the blockage through the pipe.
Step 5. Wait to see if the blockage clears. If it does, carefully pour more water into the toilet to make sure you completely clear the outlet pipe.
If the blockage does not clear, you can try repeating the process.
Unblocking a toilet with baking soda and white vinegar
Sometimes baking soda and white vinegar will help to unblock a toilet by creating a chemical reaction with a fizzing effect that loosens waste in the pipe.
This is the last method to try before moving on to using tools like a toilet auger or a pressure washer. This method is sometimes effective with blockages caused by paper or other loose materials.
Here’s how to unblock a toilet with baking soda and vinegar:
Step 1. Make sure the toilet bowl is drained so there is only a small amount of water in the bottom of it.
Step 2. Pour one cup (240ml) of baking soda into the water. Allow it to settle for two minutes.
Step 3. Pour two cups (500ml) of white vinegar into the water. You’ll see that the water starts to fizz and bubble as the reaction takes place.
Step 4. Leave the mixture to sit for around 30 minutes. This will give it some time to clear the blockage.
Step 5. Flush the toilet. If the water drains away at the normal speed, then you’ve successfully cleared the blockage.
If the toilet either doesn’t drain or drains slowly, you will need to repeat the process or move on to another method.
Unblocking a toilet with a toilet auger
A toilet auger is a specially designed tool you can use to push against, break up or even hook into the blockage. Most often, they’re used to break up and dislodge the blockage so it flows freely down the pipe.
Here’s how to unblock a toilet with a toilet auger:
Step 1. Place the metal tip of the auger into the drainage hole and then carefully feed it into the waste outlet pipe. Slowly rotate the auger clockwise as you go to help it move through the pipe.
Toilet augers are designed to be rotated clockwise. The coil tip will move through the pipe more smoothly and latch onto the blockage better when it is turned in this direction.
Step 2. Once the auger makes contact with the blockage, gently move it backwards and forward while you continue to turn the handle clockwise.
This auger will normally break apart the blockage so that it moves through the pipe. Otherwise, it will latch onto it, enabling you to pull it out. Normally, you will be able to feel what is happening as you work.
If you can break apart and dislodge the blockage, this is normally better than pulling it out. Keep repeating the action until you have done this thoroughly. Alternatively, if you find the tool latches onto the blockage, then carefully extract it into the bowl and dispose of it appropriately.
Step 3. After you’ve cleared the blockage, flush the toilet to completely clear the outlet pipe.
Sometimes, the water will still drain away slowly. In this case, you might want to continue to clear the blockage with the auger or use one of the previous methods we covered.
Unblocking a toilet with a pressure washer
Using a pressure washer is often effective at removing more severe blockages.
With this method, you use a special nozzle attachment that is designed to clear blockages in pipes.
Here’s how to fix a blocked toilet with a pressure washer:
Step 1. Carefully put the hose and nozzle into the toilet drain hole and feed it into the waste outlet pipe. Be careful not to scratch the porcelain bowl or to damage the outlet pipe. Push it until you reach the blockage.
Step 2. Hold the hose firmly in place and then turn on the pressure washer. Start on low pressure, pushing the hose against the blockage and moving it around to try and dislodge it. Gradually increase the pressure as needed.
Eventually, the pressure of the water and the moving action of the hose should break up or dislodge the blockage.
Step 3. After you think you’ve cleared the blockage, flush the toilet to check it flushes as normal.
If the toilet still flushes slowly, you will need to repeat the process again.
What to consider when faced with a blocked toilet
The best way to unblock a toilet is usually the easiest way. Unblocking a toilet is an unpleasant task that you just want to get finished.
The best approach is to work through the methods set out in this guide until you find one that works. Luckily, most people will be able to clear their blockage using a plunger or with hot water and washing up liquid. Sometimes, baking soda and vinegar also works. The more rigorous methods, with a toilet auger or with a pressure washer, are normally only needed for very severe blockages.
If you find that none of the methods in this guide work, you may be able to clear the blockage using other drain unblocking tools. If not, you might need to call a plumber.
Here are some tips on how to prevent a toilet blockage in the first place:
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Do not use too much toilet paper
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Do not flush non-flushable items down the toilet
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Keep the toilet lid closed (to avoid unwanted items falling in)
If you find your toilet is frequently getting blocked or it is old and worn, it might be time to fit a new toilet.
How To Unblock a Toilet - FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about unblocking toilets.