How many times should you unclog a toilet?

Author: Eleanore Leannon DDS  |  Last update: Thursday, September 7, 2023

Once you force out the air, plunge vigorously in and out, maintaining the seal. You'll be forcing water in both directions in the drain, which will effectively loosen most clogs. Stick with it, plunging 15 to 20 times if necessary.

How many times can I flush a clogged toilet?

You should never flush a clogged toilet more than once. Instead, take the lid off the back of the toilet and close the flapper. This will prevent any more water from running into the toilet bowl while you're working.

Will flushing a toilet multiple times unclog it?

A second flush will only create another disaster, in addition your current problem. Remember: don't flush again! Here are a couple solutions to fix your clogged toilet. All solutions will effectively get rid of the clog, but take various amounts of time and effort to get rid of the clog completely.

How many times should you plunge a toilet?

Place the plunger over the hole in the toilet. Maintain a seal and plunge up and down rapidly, keeping the plunger under the water level and lifting it only an inch or so on every upstroke. Be patient, as it may take multiple plunge cycles, of a dozen plunges per cycle, to loosen the clog.

Is it OK to leave a toilet clogged?

Is it okay to leave a clogged toilet overnight? In most cases, you can leave a clogged toilet overnight. However, calling an emergency plumber near you might be warranted if water starts leaking from the pipes. A simple clog likely won't cause this, but an inexperienced homeowner messing with the plumbing could.

Unclog toilet with a plastic bottle (with no plunger)

Should you let a clogged toilet sit overnight?

Unless it's clear you have a major backup—you see waste material spilling out—you might not immediately need to have a plumber come out to unclog it. You might want to see if the clog works itself out in time. If you have another toilet you can use, let the clogged one set overnight.

What not to do with a clogged toilet?

So here are the top 3 ways people damage their toilet when trying to unclog it.
  1. Using chemical drain cleaners (like Drano) Most chemical drain cleaners clear your drain by breaking down the clog with a chemical reaction. ...
  2. Plunging down too hard. ...
  3. Using the wrong plumber's snake.

What is the strongest thing to unclog a toilet?

Caustic soda is a nasty chemical that can burn, but it's very effective for unclogging toilets. To use this chemical, you need to get some rubber gloves and eye protection. You can pick the chemical from the local hardware or grocery stores. Pour a ¾ gallon of cold water into a bucket, and add 3 cups of caustic soda.

How do you know when to stop plunging?

Check water level in toilet bowl

After plunging for thirty seconds, quickly break the seal and remove the plunger. Listen for a gurgling sound from the drain (a good sign) and check the water level in the toilet bowl. If nearly all the water drained from the bowl, then you've probably cleared the clog.

Why won't my toilet unclog with a plunger?

You may just be using it incorrectly. Do this: Next time you have a clog, use your plunger like this: Ensure the flange lip is unfolded. Get a good seal on the toilet drain (that is, make sure you're covering the entire drain or you won't have enough pressure to loosen the clog.)

How do you know if you successfully unclog the toilet?

Give a few good up and down strokes with the plunger and flush the toilet. If the water clears from the toilet, then you've successfully unclogged it. If the toilet starts overflowing again, just close the flapper to stop water from entering the bowl. Repeat the plunge and flush sequence until your clog is gone.

How long should it take to plunge a toilet?

Grip your plunger's handle. Then, take the plunger, place it securely over the drain opening, and push up and down forcefully for about 10 to 20 seconds. You're creating firm compression and suction to loosen the clog. The force of the water and air in the toilet should be enough to clear it up.

What is the #1 cause of clogged toilets?

Using too much toilet paper

This is probably the most common reason toilets get clogged — and often the easiest to deal with. If we're honest, most of us are probably guilty of this one. If you're one of the many people who use a lot of toilet paper when you use the bathroom, here are a few tips!

Why do my toilets keep clogging?

Toilets can develop drain clogs for any one of several basic reasons, usually involving partial or complete obstruction in one of the various parts of the drain system: the toilet trap, the branch drain line, the vent pipe, or the main sewer line.

Does toilet clog get worse after plunging?

Many people think that a forceful push into the plunger is what frees up the clog, but this can often worsen the problem. In fact, pushing the plunger in with enough force can even break the seal of the toilet gasket (the seal between the toilet and the floor where the plumbing exits).

What is the quickest way to unclog a toilet?

We recommend you add a cup of baking soda to your blocked toilet and wait for some minutes. Next, pour two cups of vinegar slowly into the toilet. Vinegar and baking soda will typically react to form bubbles, so ensure you pour carefully and slowly to prevent the toilet water from overflowing or splashing.

Should you turn off water to toilet before plunging?

If the water is rising in the toilet after you've flushed, quickly turn off the water to the toilet itself to prevent a mess: Just lift the lid of the tank and pull the float up, or give a clockwise turn to the angle valve by the floor.

What do professional plumbers use to unclog toilets?

A manual drain snake, also known as a plumber's snake or a drain auger, is a small boring tool that rotates slowly as it's physically pushed through a stubborn clog. The terminal end of the device is a corkscrew-shaped hook that is fed into a clogged drain or toilet.

What works better than a plunger?

A drain auger is a better choice, but the wire hanger will work in a pinch.

How do you unclog a stubborn toilet?

If a plunger or plumbing snake doesn't work, water and soap might do the trick. Boil a gallon of water and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. As you wait, pour a cup of liquid dish soap into the toilet bowl. You can then pour the water slowly into the bowl — leave it for about 20 minutes before flushing.

Is it better to plunge a toilet fast or slow?

Start slow and add force as needed. Several gentle pumps will usually work better than a couple of hard pushes. If your blockage is going to come out, it should happen in less than 10 minutes.

How long does a blocked toilet take to unblock?

Start by slowly and firmly pushing down to create a seal and then pulling up sharply to dislodge the obstruction. When you pick up the pace, you will notice the water starting to drain. It usually takes at least 15 minutes to unclog a toilet. When draining, some water may dislodge and push forward the blockage.

When I flush my toilet it fills up with water then slowly drains?

The most common causes for a slow-draining toilet are: A clog in the drain line. A blockage between the tank and bowl. Poor or Clogged Venting.

Can you put Drano in a toilet?

For preventive drain cleaning, you can use Drano® Max Build-Up Remover in drains, toilets and even septic systems. Apply Drano® Max Build-Up Remover overnight or before you go to work, then wait 6 to 8 hours before running warm (not hot) water down treated drains or flushing treated toilets.

Previous article
How deep should a sink be in a bathroom?
Next article
What is a 6 headed screwdriver called?