Unclog a toilet (without the overflow)
If the water is rising, don't flush again. Push the flapper in the tank closed to stop more water coming in, then grab a flange plunger. With the right plunger and a slow first push, most toilet clogs clear without water ending up on the floor. A flange plunger, the kind with the soft sleeve at the bottom, seals in a toilet far better than the flat cup plunger most people grab first.
Where toilet clogs happen
Most toilet clogs are too much paper, or something that shouldn't have been flushed, like wipes, including the ones labeled flushable. The clog is usually in the curved channel built into the toilet itself, just past the bowl. That's close enough for a plunger to push and pull against it.
The kind of plunger matters. A flat cup plunger is made for sinks and won't seal in a toilet. A flange plunger has a soft sleeve that folds out and fits into the drain, and it works much better.
What causes it
Especially in low-flow toilets.
Even flushable wipes don't break down like toilet paper.
A common one in homes with little kids.
If the toilet keeps clogging, something may be stuck deeper in the drain.
| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Water rising after a flush | A clog, and the tank is still refilling | Don't flush again. Push the closed and turn off the valve. |
| Drains, but very slowly | A partial clog, usually paper | Plunge it. |
| You saw a toy or object go down | Something solid in the trap | Don't plunge. Pull it out with a gloved hand if you can see it, or use an auger. |
| Clogs every week or two | Weak flush or something stuck deeper | Check the tank water level. Use an auger to clear the trap. |
| Tub or shower gurgles or backs up when you flush | A main line clog | Stop using water and call a plumber. |
Clear it without a flood
- Stop the waterIf the bowl is close to overflowing, lift the tank lid and push the flapper closed. Then turn off the .
- Put towels downPlunging splashes. Towels around the base now save you a lot of mopping.
- Seal, then push gentlyFold out the plunger's sleeve and fit it into the drain. Make the first push slow so you push the air out without splashing.
- Pump firmly 10 to 15 timesKeep the seal and pump in and out with force, pulling back as hard as you push. The pull often does more than the push. Then check whether the water drains.
- Use an auger if it won't clearFeed the auger into the drain, crank the handle to push through the clog, and pull it back. It's designed not to scratch the bowl.
Watch it done
- The water drains out of the bowl
- A flush clears normally without the bowl rising
- The floor around the base stays dry
If the plunger isn't enough
If several rounds of plunging don't work, use a toilet auger. It reaches through the channel inside the toilet without scratching the bowl.
No plunger? A squirt of dish soap and a bucket of hot tap water poured in from waist height can sometimes clear a soft clog. Give it 10 minutes before you try flushing.
If it clogs often and nothing is stuck, check the water level in the tank. It should be about an inch below the top of the . If it's lower, every flush is weaker than it should be.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): A plumber typically charges $150–$300 to clear a toilet clog.
Find a plumber near you