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Unclogging a Toilet |
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Well, everyone has had this problem from time to time. If you're new to this, it is easy to do as long as something like a brush isn't stuck down in the toilet trap. If there are "solids" plugging the toilet up then it is normally easy to unclog the toilet. |
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Items needed:
Plunger
Toilet auger |
Safety Suggestions and Tips
If you have to go to the toilet auger, be careful not to
get it hung up in the plumbing. Some kinds of wax rings have a
plastic horn on them. If the auger gets caught on this, you may have
to pull the toilet.
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Level of difficulty
 Time Required: 1 hour
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Steps |
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Step 1: Normally you get yourself a plunger as a first step. There are two kinds: one is pictured in this article and the other has an additional cone at the bottom. |
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Step 2: Place the plunger over the drain hole at the bottom and begin working the plunger up and down. Start gently at first and build up a head of steam. When the blockage is cleared, the toilet will begin to drain. |
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Step 3: If the blockage will not clear, then you may have to resort to a toilet auger. A toilet auger is a special short snake especially for toilets. |
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Step 4: Place the plastic elbow at the bottom of the toilet and gently turn the handle while working the snake into the toilet trap. Do not get too tough with the auger or it may get hung up on part of the wax ring. |
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Step 5: It is worth examining the toilet base for evidence of leaks while you are at this. If the base looks like this one, you could well have a bad wax ring. |
