All Plumbing Repair Blog

A clogged toilet can be incredibly frustrating and messy. Fortunately, you can take care of most clogged toilet repair without needing to find a plumber.  Finishing your clogged toilet repair is often very simple and cheap. Just follow these easy steps and you’ll have that toilet repair completed by the time your guests arrive.

A slow or weak flush means that your toilet drain is partially or even completely clogged.  You can avoid clogged toilet repair by being careful about what you flush down the toilet.  If you have kids, keep the toilet lid closed to prevent them from dropping toys into the toilet – it keeps the family dog out too.  Avoiding flushing heavy napkins and paper towels down the toilet can go a long way in preventing clogged toilet repair and toilet repair in general.

1. Don’t flush your clogged toilet more than once
2. Using a plunger with clogged toilet repair
3. Unclog your toilet with dish soap and hot water
4. Do coat hangers work to unclog a toilet
5. Closet auger – using the plumbing snake in clogged toilet repair
6. Chemical agents like Draino for clogged toilet repair

Don’t flush your clogged toilet more than once

If it doesn’t flush like normal the first time it likely won’t change the second or third time you try flushing.  You’re only compounding the problem when you continually attempt flushing a clogged toilet.  You even risk flooding your bathroom.

Using a plunger with clogged toilet repair

In most cases you can unclog your toilet by using a plunger.  Yep that old plunger standing to the side of your clogged toilet will make you the family hero once again.  If you don’t have a plunger, you should be able to pick one up for pretty cheap at your local grocery store.  When using the plunger ensure that you are pressing down firmly (firm does not mean fast).  This will optimize the amount of pressure you’re generating.  A really nasty clog may require a few attempts at this.

Unclog your toilet with dish soap and hot water

If the plunger didn’t work then your trusty plunger might just need an extra hand.  Try adding some hot water (heat a pot of water on the stove to just about boiling) to the toilet and a few squirts of dish soap.  Let that sit for a few moments and then attempt plunging the clogged toilet again.

Do coat hangers work to unclog a toilet

I’ve never had much luck with these.  In fact, this should be one of the last options on your list.  If you decide to proceed find an old wire hanger and begin untwisting the wire.  Insert one end of the wire into the toilet drain and begin twisting.  Pull the wire back up.  If there is any clogging material on the hanger than you’re making progress, but you’ll likely need to try this a few more times.

Closet auger – using the plumbing snake in clogged toilet repair

A closet auger, otherwise known as a plumbing snake, is likely what a plumber will use to repair your clogged toilet.  These can be purchased at hardware and plumbing shops such as Home Depot.  Insert one end of the snake into the toilet and begin twisting it down (much like in the wire method).  This is much more effective than the wire method and should take care of the clogged toilet.

Chemical agents like Draino for clogged toilet repair

Chemical agents such as Draino are bad for the environment, but if you’ve exhausted all other options go ahead and give this a shot.  You can find chemical agents for unclogging your toilet at your local grocery store.  Just follow the instructions on the label.

If none of these have worked, you can try combining some of the steps like Chemical Agent + Hot water and dish soap + plunger.  If all else fails you can find a skilled plumber right here on AllPlumbingRepair.com.  Our network of plumbers can surely help with your toilet repair.