How to Unclog A Toilet?

Written By Eric Winston - Plumbing Expert

Unclogging a toilet is a process of removing a blockage in the toilet drain that prevents it from flushing properly. Unclogging toilet can be done using various methods and steps. Below are the most popular steps to unclog a toilet DIY.

7 Steps to Unclog Toilet

Unclog Toilet with a Plunger
Unclog Toilet with Dish Soap
Unclog Toilet with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Unclog Toilet with Snake
Unclog Toilet with Hot Water
Unclog Toilet with a Hanger
Unclog Toilet with Liquid

A toilet can be clogged by items such as toilet paper, sanitary products, wet wipes, paper towels, tissues, cotton balls, swabs, dental floss, food, toys, condoms, and diapers. If a toilet remains clogged, it can cause water to flow through the walls and floors due to seepage and lead to mold and mildew, which can cause many health problems.

In some situations, you can use ice to help unclog the toilet. If the plunger is not effective, you should use an auger, snake, or a baking soda and vinegar mixture to unclog the toilet. The fastest and most effective way to unclog a toilet is to use a plunger, as it can apply immediate pressure to dislodge the clog quickly.

How to Unclog a Toilet?

These are the 7 ways to unclog a toilet. You should have specific tools and instruments for each task when you do it DIY.

Unclog Toilet with a Plunger
Unclog Toilet with Dish Soap
Unclog Toilet with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Unclog Toilet with Snake
Unclog Toilet with Hot Water
Unclog Toilet with a Hanger
Unclog Toilet with Enzymic Cleaners

1. Unclog Toilet with a Plunger

You will need a plunger and a pair of gloves to unclog a toilet. Begin by ensuring that there’s enough water in the bowl to cover the plunger’s cap. Then place the plunger over the drain hole and push and pull several times. Repeat until the clog is dislodged, and water is drained. Typically, it takes around 5-10 minutes to unclog a toilet using a plunger.

2. Unclog Toilet with Dish Soap

You will need a bottle of dish soap and a bucket of hot water. Start by pouring 1/4th of cup of dish soap. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to lubricate clog. Then pour the hot water into the bowl from a waist length to dislodge the clog. Let the soap with the hot water to sit in for 15-20 minutes and flush the toilet. It usually takes 20-30 minutes, to unclog toilet using dish soap.

3. Unclog Toilet with Baking Soda and Vinegar

To unclog the toilet, you will need one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar. First make sure the water level is neither too high or too low. Then pour one cup of baking soda, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for 30-60 minutes and flush the toilet. It takes around 30 mins to 1 hour to clear the toilet using baking soda and vinegar.

4. Unclog Toilet with Snake

You need an Auger or a plumber’s snake and a pair of gloves to unclog the toilet. First, insert the snake inside the toilet bowl. Turn the handle clockwise to extend the cable into the drain. Rotate the handle to break up the clog, when you feel resistance. Pull out the snake carefully, and flush to make sure it’s unclogged. This process will take 10-20 minutes to complete.

5. Unclog Toilet with Hot Water

You need a bucket of hot (not boiling) water to unclog the toilet. Carefully pour the hot water from a waist length to create pressure. Allow the hot water to sit in for few minutes and then flush the toilet. It takes around 10-15 minutes to unclog the toilet with hot water.

6. Unclog Toilet with a Hanger

To unclog the toilet, you need a wire hanger and a pair of gloves. First straighten the wire hanger and make a small hook at the end. Slowly insert the hooked end inside the bowl. Gently twist and turn the hanger to break the clog. Then pull out the hanger and flush the toilet. This method takes 10-15 minutes to unclog the toilet.

7. Unclog Toilet with Enzymic Cleaners

You will need an enzyme-based cleaner and a pair of gloves for this method of unclogging the toilet. Carefully, read the instructions and pour the appropriate amount of the liquid cleaner into the toilet bowl. Let it sit overnight and flush the toilet in the next morning to check if the clog is gone. This method takes around several hours to unclog the toilet.

Will a Clogged Toilet Unclog Itself?

A clogged toilet can unclog itself if the clog is made up by water-soluble materials that can easily break down and dissolve. The natural decomposition process and the pressure of water can clear the clog. However this is not always guaranteed. It is best to take the necessary steps, like the above mentioned 7 ways, if the clog remains for several hours or if there is a risk of overflow.

Does Ice Unclog a Clogged Toilet?

Yes, there are few occasions that ice helps to unclog small clogs in the toilet. It is by adding weight and melting to push the clog through. But this is not an effective or reliable solution for most clogs. Therefore using ice to unclog a clogged toilet is not recommended.

What are the Water Damages of Toilet Clogging?

When a toilet is clogged, it can cause to severe water damage in the bathroom and home structure. The major water damages due to toilet clogging are overflowing water, higher moisture conditions, seepage on the walls, mold and mildew growth, running water on the floor, damage to personal belongings and requiring higher cost for repairs.

To prevent these water damage bathroom should be waterproofed using a proper waterproofing membrane.

How to Unclog Toilet Without a Plunger?

You can unclog toilet without a plunger. Instead of a plunger, you can use an auger or a snake, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water to dislodge the clog. It is best to seek professional help if the following methods fail to avoid further damage to the plumbing system.

What is the Fastest Way to Unclog a Toilet?

The fastest way to unclog a toilet is by using a plunger. Because it applies immediate pressure to dislodge the clog quickly. This method does not require any preparation time, additional tools, labour cost and skill level. You have to ensure there is enough water in the bowl to cover the plunger’s cup. Place the plunger over the drain hole correctly and push and pull. Using a plunger is the quickest initial approach to unclogging a clog.