A severely clogged toilet is one of the most frustrating and unhygienic household issues you can face. If you have already tried a standard plunger and the water is still rising dangerously close to the rim, you need advanced, hard-hitting methods to clear the blockage before it causes an expensive bathroom flood.
Here are the most effective ways to clear a stubborn toilet clog when traditional methods fail.
- The Dish Soap and Hot Water Lubrication Trick
Before reaching for heavy tools, you can use gravity and lubrication to break down the clog. Pour half a cup of liquid dish soap directly into the toilet bowl. Let it sit for 15 minutes to coat the pipes. Next, pour a large bucket of hot water (not boiling, as boiling water can crack the porcelain) from waist height into the bowl. The pressure and heat will often force the lubricated clog down. - Deploy a Professional Plumbing Auger (Toilet Snake)
When a plunger fails, it means the obstruction is lodged deep in the trapway. A plumbing auger is a flexible cable designed specifically to navigate the tight curves of a toilet without scratching the porcelain. Insert the cable into the drain, turn the crank handle clockwise to feed it through the pipes, and push until you hit the blockage. Rotate the handle to break up or hook the debris, then pull it out. - The Wet/Dry Vacuum Extraction Method
If a hard object like a toy, cell phone, or large mass of wipes is stuck, pushing it further can ruin your main line. You need to extract it. Empty all water out of the toilet bowl using a cup. Insert the hose of a heavy-duty wet/dry shop vacuum into the drain. Wrap an old towel around the hose to create a perfect, airtight seal. Turn the vacuum on to instantly suck the physical obstruction backwards out of the toilet.