Unclogging a Toilet

Unclogging a Toilet

Tips to help you unclog a stuck toilet.

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Stuck Objects

If there is an object stuck in the toilet, the best thing to do is remove the toilet and place in tub or shower. Pour water into bowl and plunge. You can even try to use a coat hanger going in from the bottom to loosen the object then plunge again. It is a lot of work but it does work. My kids flushed an apple core. Putting in the tub will keep object from clogging pipes causing more problems. Just be sure to replace the wax seal. (05/12/2004)

By haf_hotandbothered

Coat Hanger

Using a wire coat hanger, poke the end of the hanger into each little hole just under the rim of the bowl. Sometimes it is a calcium build up that causes the problem. I remembered this tip from our rental house years back ... that was what the plumber recommended to the tenant. After plunging with not much success, tried the tip above and it worked great. Saved having a plumber come out! (05/12/2004)

By Syd

Unclogging a Toilet

Is it a flush problem - water running out of the cistern slowly? Then the build up of mineral salts may be the problem as others have described. Or is it a drainage problem - the water flushes into the bowl OK but the bowl fills up and drains slowly away? If so the cheapest method is to get a large plunger - a rubber suction cup on a stick available for a few dollars at hardware shops. Plunge that up and down until the obstruction moves by the alternating negative and positive pressure. You may need to do this numerous times. If that doesn't work plumbers have a long snake like thing they put down round the bend and it rotates and breaks up any obstructions. Preferable to having to disconnect the toilet I would think. If the obstruction is further along, e.g. tree roots growing into the underground drain pipe, this can also be bored out by a plumber but is not a permanent solution as they will grow back unless the offending plants are removed. (05/12/2004)

By Jo Bodey

Roots

We recently had problems with our toilet not flushing properly. The plumber said we had tree roots in the drain in the front yard. He said to go to Home Depot or someplace like that and by a bottle of stuff to put in the toilet to kill the roots. You have to do this twice a year. Just ask one of the people working there and they will show you what you ned to buy. (05/13/2004)

By Caima

Snake

We recently had this problem and had to "snake" the toilet. We priced a snake at Home Depot and it was less than $20 -- but then a co-worker offered the use of his snake, so we didn't even have to spend that! It takes a little elbow grease, but it's a lot cheaper than calling a plumber! Also some major hardware stores may allow you to rent a snake, rather than purchase. (05/18/2004)

By Becki in Indiana

Unclogging Toilets

Add 1 cup of liquid dish soap, let it sit for a while, and flush to unclog toilets.

By Pat

Dish Soap

The dish soap tip works great! This method has worked for me every time. I usually give three big squirts from the bottle, let it sit a moment then flush again. Sometimes it takes plunging, but usually not. (05/20/2005)

By Melinda

Try Again In The Morning

Don't pull the toilet. the hole in the toilet is about an inch and a half and the drain pipe is at least 3. you can try a plunger but the toilet auger i.e. snake always works best. Also, if it doesn't stink too bad you can shut the lid and try again in the morning. The paper will dissolve over night (07/05/2005)

By Plumber

Bucket of Water

Try this if the plunger or auger fails... fill a bucket with warm water...about a 1/8 or 1/4 high and dump the water into the bowl from waist high into a nearly empty bowl. The water pressure from this impact sometimes will force any plugs in the trap to break up and flow through. You may have to do this more than once. (05/22/2006)

By Formerly Frustrated

Dawn

The dishsoap idea worked! I used Dawn...if it dissolves grease, it will dissolve anything. I had paper towels stuck inside the pipe somewhere. I let the soap work overnight, then this morning I flushed and plunged. When I saw pieces of paper towel coming up I knew it had dissolved. Thank you for the great money saving idea! (07/10/2006)

By Lee

Kitty Litter

Our toilet was backed up with kitty litter and paper towels - an impossible combination! We tried plunging, hot water, dish soap overnight...and were about to go to the hardware store to buy an auger when the Scunci came to mind. A Scunci, if you haven't seen on TV, is a hand held steamer which produces a jet of steam out a little nozzle. You're probably not supposed to do this, but we recalled how well it worked unblocking a clogged shower drain, so gave it a try. We first bailed out most of the water in the bowl and then put the end of the Scunci nozzle at the base of the toilet, hit the steam button and after just a couple of minutes and one more plunge, the toilet flushed perfectly. (09/09/2006)

By We Love Scunci!

Dishwashing Liquid

Dishwashing liquid did the trick. Thank you! I had never heard of the concept but it worked like a dream. Some soap and my plunger then the problem was solved! (09/20/2006)

By April

Dishsoap

In order to unclog a toilet you will need dish soap and boiling water. Pour boiling water into toilet and then add some dish soap. Get a plunger and keep pushing. Eventually your toilet will suck up all the water and your work is done. Good Luck! (11/22/2006)

Vinegar

With 6 daughters are toilet is always clogging. At night we will pour a gallon of vinegar and let it sit overnight. This is a precaution. A gallon of vinegar is cheap $2-3. (01/29/2007)

By Debbi

Snake

I love all these ideas! With my three kids and a couple potty training, I will have plenty of opportunity to try these. I thought I'd add though, to not only keep a plunger nearby but purchase a "snake" from your local hardware store. This WILL fix any clog- trust me (lol). They are cheap, easy to use, and what the plumbers use. (02/04/2007)

By kgurrl

Magic

My day began with nothing more pleasant (not!) than a clogged toilet. I've only experienced the joy of unclogging a toilet once before, so I didn't have a plunger on hand. Thank goodness I checked your website before running out to the store! I started first with dish soap, letting it sit for about 5 minutes, and then I poured in nearly boiling water. I let this combo sit for about 10 minutes before I went at the toilet with a coat hanger. Less than a minute later, my toilet was as good as new! Thank you! (02/10/2007)

By HKH

Dish Soap

It really worked. I just went to the home depot and bought a snake to unclog my toilet which I'e been working on for almost two hours. It didn't work. Then I read everyone talking about the dish soap. All I can say is thank you toilet clogging gods. it works like a champ. (02/17/2007)

By brian g

Dish Soap

I never give my name over the internet but I tried the soap and boiling water to unplug my toilet and it worked. I really thought that it was a really ridiculous thing to try. It worked like a charm. Thank you very much. I was just going to call a plumber but did not want to put a mortgage on my house. Thanks again. (02/21/2007)

By MICHAEL MEGAFFIN

Dish Soap

I've been at it for a week and tried everything Walmart has, nothing worked! A few squirts of soap and two pots of boiling water and a little plunger action and it WORKED! (02/23/2007)

By Krystal

Dish Soap and Boiling Water

Awesome solution. I just added some dish soap solution and 3 pots of boiling water and 2-3 plunges. It worked like a charm. Thanks a lot. (02/24/2007)

By Metal

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Unclogging a Toilet

Tips to help you unclog a stuck toilet. How can I unclog my toilet?

Toni from Windsor Locks, CT

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RE: Unclogging a Toilet

Dish detergent and hot water & plunging works great! Thanks! (03/07/2007)

By Jim A

RE: Unclogging a Toilet

Thank you! I put in the dishing washing liquid, waited 5 minutes and added the boiling water. I was very skeptical, but it worked! We haven't used the downstairs bathroom in weeks! (03/03/2007)

By Cyndy

RE: Unclogging a Toilet

I own a motel and I have a lot of clogged toilet issues. I had one toilet that I plunged for seven days straight and didn't think it would ever work right again. I used the squirt of Dawn dishsoap and the pot of boiling water poured in the bowl, and it worked! I won't bother buying all of the expensive products any more, this simple technique really works. (03/03/2007)

By Persnickety Paula

RE: Unclogging a Toilet

Fortunately the toilet was clean, I bailed out all the water except for a cup or two, filled it with a cup of Dawn soap. I poured in a large pan filled with boiling water from some height so as to force the water down the toilet and push the soap as far down as possible. I plunged for about 30 seconds and left it sit for 15 minutes. I returned and plunged for about 2 minutes and it broke free. I hoped, but didn't think this would work. I'm convinced. (03/06/2007)

By kcuhC

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Unclogging a Toilet

Tips to help you unclog a stuck toilet. How can I unclog my toilet?

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Unclogging a Toilet

Do you have any ideas on how to unclog a toilet without calling a plumber?

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Unclogging a Toilet

How do I repair a clogged toilet?

Glenda

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RE: Unclogging a Toilet

Unbelievable! My young daughter clogged our only toilet the same day we were having visitors. My husband and I took turns plunging the toilet for almost 3 hours. I was crying in frustration. We did not want to call a plumber at first, but just when we were ready to give up and ready to call a plumber; I decided to check how to! I tried this S&W method and it worked! I would've never imagined. 3/4 cup of dish detergent and a big pot of really hot water, not even boiling. I thought it was a joke but I didn't care to try it. Thanks to whoever came up with this and the tons of positive feedback. So try this, you may have to repeat or plunge again but it's worth trying and lots cheaper and less embarrassing than calling a plumber. (12/06/2008)

By Mikonoz

RE: Unclogging a Toilet

I've been plunging for 3 days now. I just found this sight, and thought there was no way this would work. I put a 1/2 cup of liquid dish soap in the bowl and went down stairs and boiled a pot of water. I put the boiling water in about 15 min. after putting in the soap. I gave it 5 or 6 good reps with the plunger and flushed the toilet. To my surprise it went straight down. This was an awesome remedy. THANKS! (12/07/2008)

RE: Unclogging a Toilet

Thought maybe the lines were frozen on a sub-zero temperature night. I then tried pouring in castile soap and my wife's homemade laundry soap mixture of borax and washing soda powder, two huge pots of boiling water, and still stuck. I waited about 15 minutes then plunged again and what do you know, it works. So maybe you can try powdered laundry soap and hot water also. (12/08/2008)

By NYC Guy

RE: Unclogging a Toilet

It works! Did not expect it to at all, but it was literally like magic. It saved me from embarrassment with mom. Thank you whoever came up with this. All I had to do was add laundry detergent with dish soap and a nice gallon of hot water. I let it sit for about 10 min. and worked great! Thank you. (12/08/2008)

By miller

RE: Unclogging a Toilet

I love it! Dish soap solved my problem. I've tried plunging the toilet since yesterday morning and it was only getting worse, I was ready to call the plumbers. I figured the soap can't hurt and, low and behold, the toilet was clean in 5 minutes! Whoever came up with this is my idol! (12/08/2008)

By Yay!

RE: Unclogging a Toilet

It really works, but I was skeptical. I thought, if bleach, a plunger, and a pipe snake didn't fix it, then how will dish soap and hot water do any good? I don't know, but I am a true believer now. Never spend money on Drano again. It really works. (12/09/2008)

RE: Unclogging a Toilet

I could cry! My toilet has been clogged for 2 days and I was at my wits end, plunging, wire coat hanger and tears. Dawn dish washing detergent and hot water? Impossible I thought, you have saved my life and toilet, it worked in less than 15 minutes! I love you and am now crying tears of joy. (12/11/2008)

By JANE

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Unclogging a Toilet

How can I find ideas to unclog a toilet?

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Unclogging a Toilet

I have a plugged toilet and the plunger doesn't help. Any suggestions?

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Unclogging a Toilet

How do I unclog a toilet?

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Unclogging a Toilet

I need advice! I have two toilets (back to back) that are clogged. The last guy snaked it all the way to the septic. He recommends I replace the toilets. Can you please give me suggestions?

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Unclogging a Toilet

How do I unplug a toilet?

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Unclogging a Toilet

My latrine is jammed. The water is not going down. It seems the drain is not fully open.

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Unclogging a Toilet

What is the soap trick to unclog a toilet?

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Unclogging a Toilet

How do you unclog a toilet?

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Unclogging a Toilet

How do I unclog a toilet?

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Unclogging a Toilet

How can I unclog a toilet? I have tried most over the counter products.

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Unclogging a Toilet

My 2 year old son dumped 2 full dishes of cat food in the toilet and flushed it. I have been plunging for 3 hours and it's still not unclogged. What do I do?

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Unclogging a Toilet

How can I unclog a toilet?

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Unclogging a Toilet

I recently flushed a bunch of Clorox wipes down the toilet and now it's really clogged. I've tried plunging it and that's not helping. Any suggestions?

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Unclogging a Toilet

How do you unclog a toilet?