How to Unclog a Toilet With a Plunger
A clogged toilet might be alarming, but it's usually easy to fix by plunging it. Unclogging a toilet with a plunger fixes most problems, but only if you do it the right way and with the right tool: a toilet plunger.
Before You Begin
The proper type of plunger for unclogging a toilet is a toilet plunger, also called a flange plunger. A toilet plunger's cup is taller than the cup on a bell-shaped sink plunger. In addition, a toilet plunger has a sleeve-like extension, or flange, on the bottom of the cup.
The flange fits into the hole in your toilet bowl for a good seal. The flange can also fold into the cup so the plunger can be used on sinks and tubs.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Toilet plunger
- Rubber gloves
Instructions
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Fill the Toilet Bowl (as Needed)
Make sure there is standing water in the toilet bowl. Submerging and filling the entire head of the plunger is best, so add water to the bowl if necessary. Use a water glass, bottle, or any container to add fresh water to the toilet bowl.
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Position the Plunger
Raise the toilet seat. Wearing rubber gloves, lower the toilet plunger into the bowl at an angle so the cup fills with as much water as possible. Fit the cup over the toilet's drain hole so the flange is inside the hole and the cup forms a complete seal around the outside.
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Push and Pull the Plunger
Grip the plunger handle in both hands. Push down on the cup forcefully, then pull back up without breaking the cup's seal around the hole. Repeat the push-pull motion five or six times. Remove the cup.
Repeat the plunging motions until the bowl empties by itself. Set the plunger aside.
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Flush the Toilet
Flush the toilet. If the toilet flushes normally and the bowl empties out, the job is done.
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Sanitize the Toilet Plunger
After use, the toilet plunger should be cleaned before storing it away. Add about 1/4 cup of household bleach to the toilet bowl. Gently swirl the toilet plunger in the bowl, making sure to fill the inside of the plunger. Flush the toilet. Let the plunger dry before storing it.
Toilet Plunger Alternatives
If you don't have a toilet plunger or if the toilet plunger isn't working, you have two alternatives:
- Cup plunger: A bell-shaped cup plunger, normally used for sinks, can be used to unclog toilets if a toilet plunger isn't available. A cup plunger is much less effective for clearing toilet clogs, but it can sometimes work.
- Toilet auger: If plunging doesn't work, try clearing it with a toilet auger. A toilet auger, or closet auger, has a telescoping metal tube with a crank handle on one end and a cable running inside. Insert the cable end (which has a corkscrew tip) into the toilet, and then turn the handle while pushing the cable down through the toilet trap to clear the clog.
When to Call a Professional
Unclogging a toilet is one of the most common tasks performed by plumbers. It's worth it to find a plumber to unclog the toilet when a toilet plunger or a toilet auger isn't working or if the toilet appears to be on the verge of overflowing.
FAQ-
Does a clogged toilet need to sit before plunging?
A clogged toilet does not need to sit before plunging. You should plunge a clogged toilet as soon as possible to avoid overflow and to restore the toilet to workable condition again.
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Can you leave a clogged toilet overnight?
You can generally leave a clogged toilet overnight. But it's best to unclog the toilet as soon as possible. Clogs may eventually harden, becoming even more difficult to remove. Waste floating in the toilet bowl is laden with bacteria and needs to be send down the sanitary sewer, and not left out in the open. A clogged toilet, too, is an unusable toilet. So, the sooner you can unclog it, the sooner it will be operable again.