How to Unclog a Toilet
Featured pro: Eric Stromer
Category: Home Improvement, Bathroom Basics
Clogged toilets are an inconvenience for all, but no matter how bad the blockage is, Eric Stromer shows you how to clear them on your own. Using tools you can get at any hardware store, these trade secrets will solve your problem in no time, and save you an expensive plumber's bill.
Step 1: Flush
Try flushing your toilet, but only if your water drops to a normal level.
Step 2: Take the Plunge
If flushing doesn't clear the toilet, use a plunger. Make sure the plunger head is big enough to cover the drainage hole at the bottom of the toilet. Plunge 20 times.
Step 3: Snake
If the plunger doesn't work, try using a toilet auger, also known as a snake.
Step 4: Snake Meets Clog
Feed the line down the drainage hole until it meets the blockage
Step 5: Flush Deep
Flush the toilet to help get the line deeper down the drain.
Step 6: Roll it Up
Retrieve your line by turning the handle counterclockwise.
Step 7: Clean your Snake
Wipe your snake down with a rag.
Items You'll Need for this GMC Trade Secret
- Plunger
- Toilet Auger a.k.a "The Snake"
- Clogged Toilet
More Trade Secrets
Add a Comment
This is not a real plumber is an actor pretending to a plumber
November 08 2012 at 7:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhy do they keep posting this? First, one (of many) way to use a plunger is to push down, create a seal, and the pull up very fast, One Pull! I use this method at work at least 4 times a week and it works almost every time! Second, the toilet snake is designed to retract into the handle before inserting into the toilet! Eric obviously has never used one in a real life situation, he damaged the surface on the toilet and could have easily put a permanent kink in a 60.00 tool. GMC why oh why do you keep this guy around!
November 03 2012 at 8:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyeric stop giving consumers crappy advice .you cleared the clog and ruined the toilet ,so what good did you do? obviousely you do not know how to use the auger so put it down ,back away and call the professional. this isn't the first time with your bad plumbing advice just let me count the ways on this one article alone
1- ruined the toilet
2- no new wax ring after you lift the toilet? big savings of a few bucks to the d-i y'er
3- ever hear of a shop vac eric? before you lift the bowl of poop and make a nasty mess. take your shop vac and suck the water out of the tank and bowl . now you can take the shop vac outside dump it and wash it . much better then wiping poop off the floor
4- be careful about pushing that big old lump of whatever in one shot. if your plumbing is borderline instead of a toilet stoppage you now have a mainline clog and no plumbing in the house will work
GMC YOU GUYS NEED TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL TO DO THIS INFORMERCIAL OR AT LEAST GET A KNOWLEDGEABLE MASTER PLUMBER AS A CONSULTANT
HELP, I NEED HELP!. SOME OF THE PLASTER FROM REMOVING TUB TILES WENT DOWN BATHTUB DRAIN. A TEENY BIT OF WATER WILL EVENTUALLY DRAIN, AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR. I KEEP POURING VINEGAR DOWN, BUT DOESNT SEEM TO HELP. ANY SUGGESTIONS?
November 03 2012 at 1:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHave you tried a plunger or a snake??? Vinegar will not help much at all...it and boiling water are good for soap clogs and grease. Good luck.
November 03 2012 at 4:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replysome become clogged becuase of calcium build up that can not be remove by most products like CLR and Lime-Away. Concentrated HCL may need to be used. be extremely careful, since this is a very strong acid.
November 03 2012 at 1:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply4 ounces of C4. (:
November 03 2012 at 1:23 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyTake smaller poops....
November 03 2012 at 12:58 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe simplest way I found to unclog a toilet (caused by normal use), is to drop a little dishwashing detergent while flushing a second time. Works every time!
November 03 2012 at 12:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyBuckets of hot water are what I use in the beginning...my son clogs the toilet at least once a week...lol...the hot water works...usually it take 3-4 buckets, but it does work...and now that my son's old enough, I've taught him to unclog it on his own...
November 03 2012 at 9:37 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyMaybe you should have taught him not to clog the toilet in the first place?
November 03 2012 at 10:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyP.S. For a clogged dual sink in the kitchen, the procedure is pretty much the same. Put the stopper in one side and hold it firmly to form a seal and plunge the other!!
August 21 2011 at 10:27 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyGet our latest tips in your inbox
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