Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Note

Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.

Common Causes of Toilet Clogs

Knowing the common causes of a clogged toilet can help you avoid problems. There are also some easy ways to keep your toilet flushing correctly.

What Causes Toilet Clogs?

Flushing too Much Toilet Paper. Overuse of toilet paper can require the toilet to flush more material than it’s designed to handle.
Flushing Non-Flushable Items: In general toilets should only flush waste and reasonable amounts of toilet paper. Attempting to flush facial tissue, paper towels, wipes and sanitary products will quickly lead to a clog.
A Problem With the Toilet: If your toilet tank isn’t filling or if the flush valve isn’t working properly, the water might not have enough force to properly clear the bowl or trap.
A Blockage In the Trap: The toilet base has a P-trap or S-trap that remains filled with a small amount of water to keep sewer gasses from escaping into the home. If there is a partial blockage in the trap, the toilet won’t fully flush. A partial flush may not move the contents of the bowl through the trap, creating a full clog.

Good to Know

Blocked or damaged municipal sewer lines can prevent all of the toilets in your home from fully flushing. And, a blockage in a plumbing vent that extends from your roof can restrict the airflow that allows drains to function properly. These situations require professionals.

Preventing Toilet Clogs

Preventing toilet clogs often simply requires avoiding the situations above, but there are some proactive steps you can consider to prevent clogs.

Look for signs you need toilet repair and address the problems promptly.
Be sure children know not to play near or put toys into a toilet.
Consider using a drain maintenance treatment that’s designed to reduce buildup in pipes. Make sure it's suitable for your system.
If you have a septic tank, have a professional inspect it every two to three years, or as required in your area.

Shop Augers, Plungers & Drain Openers Shop Toilet Parts & Repair Shop Cleaning Supplies

Tools and Materials You Need to Unclog a Toilet

There are a few common tools and materials you can use to unclog a toilet, including:

Plunger: A plunger forces water through the toilet trap and uses suction to draw the water back. This combination of pushing and pulling helps free some clogs.
Toilet Auger: You might also call this a plumbing snake or a closet auger. A handle on one end rotates a cable ending in a sharp coil. The coil can catch or cut through some obstructions.
Chemical Drain Cleaners: Some drain cleaners can work for toilet clogs as well as sink and tub clogs. Just make sure the drain cleaner you choose is for use with toilets and is compatible with your drain system.
Do-It-Yourself Solutions: There are a couple of DIY solutions you might try, including dish soap and creating a homemade auger from a coat hanger.

We’ll give you instructions for using several of these tools below.

You should also put something down on the floor to protect it from splashed or spilled water. Old towels you don’t mind throwing away are an option, as is newspaper. Disposable plastic tarps can work, but lightweight plastic may be difficult to work with when it gets wet.

Tip

For details on tools you can use to open clogged drains in your home, take a look at our drain opener guide.

Safety Gear

While clearing a toilet clog is usually a pretty basic task, there is some safety gear you should use.

Eye protection keeps wastewater and chemical drain cleaners from splashing into your eyes. While it’s likely you have a pair of safety glasses around your home for other projects, safety goggles will provide the best splash protection.
Cleaning gloves keep the same wastewater and chemicals off of your hands. Disposable gloves will work, but for extra protection, consider gloves with extended cuffs.

Beyond these safety items, it’s a good idea to wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt and boots or closed-toe shoes with non-slip treads.

Caution

Follow the use and safety instructions for anything you use to clear a toilet clog. Basic tools like plungers may not have instructions, but augers and chemical drain cleaners will. Using these products properly helps keep you safe, helps prevent damage to your toilet or plumbing system and makes them more effective at clearing clogs.

Tips for Unclogging a Toilet

There are plenty of ways to unclog a toilet. Usually you'll use a plunger, but there are many other ways. Check out our full list of ways to unclog a toilet without a plunger if you need more alternatives.

To learn about different types of drain chemicals and tools, read Lowe's Drain Cleaner and Drain Opener Buying Guide.

How to Plunge a Toilet

A plunger can force out clogs in the toilet trap and other clogs that aren't too deep in the drain. Here’s how to use a plunger.

Good to Know

A toilet plunger — which has a funnel or cone extending from the bottom of the cup to fit into the drain opening — will be more effective than a sink plunger.

How to Use a Toilet Auger

A toilet auger — also known as a closet auger — can break up stubborn clogs that a plunger won't clear. This tool is different from a standard auger. It has a shorter cable and a housing to prevent the cable from damaging the porcelain finish on a toilet.

How to Loosen a Clog Using Dish Soap

You don't have to use a plunger or toilet auger to unclog a toilet. The next way to unclog a toilet doesn't involve conventional tools and works well if you don't have a plunger in the house. Here's how to unclog a toilet using simple dish soap.

How to Use a DIY Hanger Drain Snake

A drain snake is a long, thin object that can be inserted into the toilet to manually remove a blockage. Follow these steps to learn how to snake a toilet with a DIY hanger drain snake.

What Not to Do When Unclogging a Toilet

There are some things you shouldn’t do when trying to clear a clog.

Don’t use a drain-clearing tool after trying a chemical cleaner. If the chemical drain cleaner doesn’t clear the clog, the chemical will stay in the bowl. Using a plunger or auger at this point risks splashing the chemical onto your hands or face.
Don’t use the wrong tool. Standard augers or drain snakes can clear clogs but they can also scratch or permanently mar the porcelain of your toilet bowl. Standard cup-style plungers aren’t as effective at clearing toilet clogs as bell-style toilet plungers.
Don’t use a tool the wrong way. Using a tool incorrectly can lead to damage, ranging from cosmetic toilet damage to serious toilet or pipe damage.
Don’t use the wrong chemical. Be extremely careful selecting and using a chemical drain cleaner. One that’s not compatible with your pipes or septic system can cause serious damage that’ll be expensive to repair.
Don’t use a chemical toilet cleaner improperly. Using too much or not following the directions for use and storage can be dangerous.

Tips for Clearing a Toilet Clog Like an Expert

Now that you know what not to do, here are some quick tips that will help you clear a clog quickly.

Turn off the water supply to the toilet as soon as you notice it backing up. With some toilets you may be able to lift the float rod in the tank to stop the flow of water into the bowl. You may also be able to quickly turn off the water supply valve.
Start with a basic method, such as using a plunger, before moving to more aggressive methods like using an auger or chemical drain cleaner.
Use the correct tool or chemical and use it correctly. Using drain-cleaning tools the right way is the most effective, safest way to try to clear a clog.

When to Call a Professional

Often you can clear a toilet clog quickly and easily, but there are times when it’s best to call a professional plumber.

Reasons to Consider a Plumber

You Don’t Want to Deal With a Clog. While a clog is typically an easy fix, sometimes it can be difficult to clear a clog and it can be messy. You might prefer to have a professional handle it.
Standard Methods and Tools Don’t Work. If the methods above don’t work, you might have a severe clog or there might be a clog in the pipes that you simply can’t reach.
A Toy or Other Object is Causing the Clog. An object stuck in the toilet or plumbing can be difficult to remove without causing damage.
The Clog Has Caused a Leak. If the clog or your efforts to dislodge it has created a leak, you might need a professional to fix the damage.
Clogs Keep Recurring. Repeated clogs can be a sign of a problem that requires a plumber to diagnose and correct.
There are Problems With the Toilet: Worn parts in a toilet and parts that don’t function correctly can lead to clogs. While many toilet repairs are simple, you may feel more comfortable letting a professional correct all the issues.
You Have Older or Corroded Pipes. Plumbing in some homes may be more easily damaged. If you suspect this is the case for your home, don’t attempt to do the job yourself.
You’re Concerned About Damage: If you’re worried about damaging the toilet or pipes, let a professional handle the work.

Costs for Having a Plumber Clear a Clogged Toilet

The costs of having a plumber fix a clogged toilet will vary depending on several factors.

Labor Costs: The money you’ll pay to have a plumber come to your home and clear a clog will depend on your location, the tools required and the time the plumber spends working.
Timing: Expect to pay more for service on weekends, holidays and emergency calls at night.
The Clog: Clearing a simple clog that just requires plunging the toilet should be less expensive than a severe clog that requires removing the toilet or a clog that requires work deeper in the house plumbing.
Parts and Repair: If damaged or worn parts are keeping the toilet from flushing effectively, you’ll need to factor in replacement parts.

How to Unclog a Toilet