Plunging the right way
- Use a flange plunger.The soft extension on a toilet plunger seals into the drain opening. A flat cup plunger made for sinks will not seal properly.
- Get enough water.The plunger head should be covered. Add a little water from a bucket if the bowl is low, not by flushing.
- Push gently first.The first push expels air; then work in firm, steady strokes while keeping the seal for 15 to 20 strokes.
- Check the drain.Pull the plunger off. If the water drops away quickly, open the supply valve and test with one flush.
Using a closet auger
A closet auger is a short, crank-operated cable with a protective sleeve that keeps it from scratching the porcelain. Seat the bent end in the bowl outlet, crank the cable forward until you feel resistance, then crank and pull back to snag or break up the obstruction. It reaches through the toilet's own trapway, which is where toys, too much paper, wipes and hygiene products usually lodge.
If the auger passes through freely but the bowl still drains slowly, the blockage is past the toilet. That is the point to stop and consider whether the branch or main line is involved.
Which situation are you in?
- IfOnly this toilet is slow and everything else drains normallyPlunge, then try a closet auger.
- IfThis toilet clears, but clogs again within daysSomething may be stuck in the trapway; the toilet may need pulling to remove it.
- IfOther toilets or the tub are also slowTreat it as a main-line problem and stop using water.
- IfWater rises in the tub when you flushMain line blockage; clear from a cleanout.
Words you may hear
- Trapway
- The curved passage cast into the toilet itself that holds water and connects the bowl to the drain.
- Closet flange
- The fitting in the floor the toilet bolts to; the wax ring seals the toilet to it.
- Closet auger
- A short cable tool designed specifically for toilets.
- Pulling the toilet
- Removing the toilet from the flange to reach an obstruction or the drain line below.
What not to flush
- Wipes of any kind, including those labeled flushable
- Paper towels and facial tissue
- Feminine hygiene products and cotton swabs
- Dental floss, hair and cat litter
Common questions
Why does my toilet clog with normal paper use?
Some older or low-volume toilets have narrow trapways, and a drain line with scale or a sag downstream can slow everything. If it happens often, ask a plumber to check both the toilet and the line.
Can I use chemical drain cleaner in a toilet?
It is not recommended. It rarely clears the blockage and creates a hazard when the toilet has to be plunged or pulled afterward.
When does a toilet need to be pulled?
When a hard object is stuck in the trapway, or when the plumber needs to reach the line below and there is no usable cleanout. A new wax ring is used when it is reset.
General information for Stanton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.