Opening a Clogged Toilet

In most cases you can open a clogged toilet using a force ball-type plunger.

Step 1: (A, Fig. 9). A regular suction cup plunger will seldom do the job (B). A force ball-type plunger exerts a great deal more pressure for cleaning toilets than the regular type.

Be sure to have sufficient water in the toilet bowl when using the plunger.

Step 2: If the plunger does not clear the clogged drain, use a closet auger (Fig. 10). Start the auger or snake into the bowl and continue to crank it until it becomes tight. This cranking and pulling action will usually bring up the object that is causing the stoppage.

Step 3: If the closet auger is not effective, use a small snake in the same way as described for opening lavatory drains.

Step 4: If neither the plunger, the closet auger, nor the snake removes the obstruction, you may need to remove the toilet from the floor, turn it upside down, and force the obstruction out from the top or bottom.

Step 5: If you must remove the toilet from the floor, use either a wax preformed O-ring or fresh plumber's putty in reseating the toilet.

Courtesy of National Retail Hardware Association