The first two minutes
- Do not flush again.A second flush adds a full tank of water to a bowl that cannot empty. That is how a clog becomes a floor full of water.
- Close the supply valve.The small oval valve on the wall or floor behind the toilet turns clockwise to close. If it will not turn, lift the tank lid and raise the float to stop the fill.
- Protect the floor.Lay down old towels. If the bowl did overflow, keep children and pets out of the room and wear gloves while cleaning up.
- Check other fixtures.Run a little water in the nearest sink and tub. If the tub fills or the bowl rises, the problem is not the toilet and you should stop using water.
Plunging a toilet the right way
A toilet needs a flange plunger, the kind with a soft extension under the cup that fits into the drain opening. A flat sink plunger cannot seal in the curved bowl. Start with enough water in the bowl to cover the cup, push the first stroke gently to push out the air, then work it firmly in and out fifteen or twenty times before checking.
If the water drains, refill the bowl with a bucket of water before you reopen the supply and flush, so you can see it run clear without risking an overflow. A closet auger, a short crank cable made for toilets, reaches a little further than a plunger and is protected so it does not scratch the porcelain.
Things that should never be flushed
These do not break down the way toilet paper does and are behind many toilet and main line clogs.
- Wipes of any kind, including ones labeled flushable
- Paper towels and tissues, which are made to hold together when wet
- Feminine hygiene products and cotton swabs
- Dental floss, hair and string
- Cat litter, even types sold as flushable
- Grease or cooking oil poured into the bowl
Keep trying, or call?
- IfThe bowl drains after plunging and stays normalThenYou are done. Watch for a repeat in the next few weeks.
- IfIt clogs again within daysThenSomething may be lodged in the trap, such as a toy or toiletry. The toilet may need to be pulled to remove it.
- IfThe tub or shower fills when you flushThenStop. The blockage is in the main drain or lateral and needs main line access.
- IfWater seeps from the base of the toiletThenThe wax seal may have failed. Do not keep using it; the toilet needs to be reset.
What to ask a plumber
- Will you try an auger first, or do you expect to pull the toilet?
- If the toilet is pulled, will the wax ring and bolts be replaced?
- If it is the main line, where will you access it?
- Can you show me your CSLB license number?
Common questions
Why does my low-flow toilet clog more than my old one?
Some early low-flow models had weak flushes. Newer designs are much better. If a toilet clogs often with normal use, ask whether the trapway is partly blocked or the drain line is slow.
Can a clogged toilet cause damage below it?
On a slab-on-grade home the main concern is overflow onto the floor. A leaking wax seal can let water soak under flooring and into the subfloor or baseboards over time.
Is it safe to use a chemical opener in a toilet?
It is best not to. Chemicals can heat up, damage seals and sit in the bowl where anyone plunging will be splashed.
General information for Placentia, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.