How much does it cost to unclog a toilet?

Author: Prof. Antonetta Friesen II  |  Last update: Saturday, December 2, 2023

When it comes to simpler clogs, expect to pay no more than $150, while more extensive blockages that require dismantling the toilet's plumbing could cost between $150 and $500. A DIY drain snake costs between $5 and $50, so it may be affordable for homeowners to take the first attempt at unclogging themselves.

What does a plumber do to unclog a toilet?

Plunge-in well:

The plunging process needs to be down slowly; operating anything by force will ruin the bathroom with water. After the primary gentle plunge, forcing the air out they dig into plunging in and out strenuously, keeping the seal intact, for 15 to 20 times until most of the clogs are not unclogged.

Will a clogged toilet eventually go down?

When a toilet has a clog made of water-soluble materials, it has a chance of slowly dissolving in the water and freeing up the toilet to work properly again. So, clogs that are primarily made of toilet paper can clear themselves.

What is the cheapest way to unblock a toilet?

Attempting to unblock your toilet with water and washing-up liquid, is one of the cheapest ways to go about it. It's always worth trying this method before calling your plumber. First, take the washing up liquid and pour 2-3 squirts into the toilet bowl.

Who should pay for a blocked toilet?

A flooded or blocked toilet is another common issue faced by renters. It is generally a tenant's responsibility to fix such toilets as they are caused by flushing something down the toilet that was not meant to go down there. Damaged toilet buttons or flush devices are also the tenant's duty to fix.

How to Unclog a Toilet - Clogged toilet TRADE SECRET!

Is a clogged toilet urgent?

Is a clogged toilet an emergency? While it's typically not disastrous to let a clogged toilet sit overnight, fixing the problem is recommended. Most water-soluble components will eventually dissolve; however, some residual items may remain, leading to blockages.

When should I call a plumber for a clogged toilet?

So, read on to learn about your DIY options and when it's a must to call the pros.
  1. A Foreign Object Caused the Clog.
  2. You Dropped Something Valuable.
  3. DIY Plunging Doesn't Work.
  4. DIY Toilet Snaking Doesn't Work.
  5. More Than One Clogged Toilet.
  6. You Also Have Clogged Drains.
  7. Toilet Backs up Into the Shower.

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 unclog a toilet when the plunger doesn't work?

If plunging the toilet doesn't work, here are seven ways to fix a clogged toilet.
  1. Drain snake. If the plunger isn't working, your next best option is to use a drain snake. ...
  2. Boiling Water. ...
  3. Chemical Drain Cleaners. ...
  4. Baking Soda Mixture. ...
  5. Vinegar Mixture. ...
  6. Squirt Gun Drainer. ...
  7. Call a Plumber.

When the plunger won't unclog the 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.

How long should you leave a blocked toilet?

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. The water pressure that builds up in the bowl might actually cause the toilet to unclog itself. After a day's wait, flush the toilet again.

How long should it take to unclog a toilet?

Now move the plunger forcefully up and down for about 10 or 20 seconds. That's about as long as it should take for the force of the water and air going back and forth in the drain to clear up the clog.

How do you tell if a toilet is still clogged?

How to Tell if Your Toilet is Clogged. Signs that your toilet (or sewer line) is blocked include: The water does not flush properly, stays in the bowl for long periods or ends up overflowing over the top of the bowl. When the toilet is flushed, water starts to gurgle up in your shower or bathtub drain.

What is the last resort for unclogging a toilet?

Bleach or chemical drain cleaner.

For those tough clogs that seem like they are impossible to solve, you could try to use harsher chemicals, like bleach or a store-bought toilet drain cleaner. The chemicals contained in these can be harmful to yourself and your pipes, so only use them as a last resort.

What is the quickest way to unclog a toilet?

Force Airflow

Larger bottles or two-liter soda bottles work well because they hold a larger air capacity and are wide enough to plug the drain hole. Insert the bottle upside down into the drain of the blocked toilet and squeeze firmly and fast. The air will force into the pipes and disrupt the clog.

How do you unclog a toilet fast when the bowl is full?

Soap and Hot Water - Remove some of the water in the toilet with a cup or bowl to make room for adding about a gallon of water. Put a soap dish, shampoo, or slivers of bar soap in the bowl. Then heat a gallon of water to the temperature of hot tea, pour into the bowl, and wait about 20 minutes.

Can I put Drano in toilet?

You can use Drano® Clog Removers to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or clogged bathtub, but DO NOT use them in toilets. For clogged or slow-running drains, apply the product and let it work 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.

How do you unclog a toilet with a lot of tissue?

Use vinegar, baking soda, and hot water.
  1. Use a Toilet Plunger. Plungers are the go-to option when dealing with toilet clogs. ...
  2. Pour Hot Water and Dish Soap into the Bowl. ...
  3. Toilet Snakes Can Help Clear Clogged Toilets. ...
  4. Use Chemical Products that Are Safe for Septic Systems. ...
  5. Use Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Hot Water.

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!

What to do if your toilet has been clogged for a week?

How Do You Unblock a Badly Clogged Toilet?
  1. Ways to Unclog Your Toilet.
  2. Lubricate the Blockage With Dish Soap.
  3. Make a Coat Hanger Snake.
  4. Break Up the Clog With Hot Water or Drain Cleaner.
  5. Mix Your Own Declogger.
  6. Plunge Using a Plastic Bottle.
  7. Unblock Your Toilet With Vinegar and Baking Soda.

Why has my toilet been clogged for days?

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.

Can a toilet be clogged but still flush?

A fully clogged toilet won't move waste down the drain at all. If it's running slowly, it's a partial clog that does let water through, but not as fast as it's supposed to be.

Why won't my toilet flush or unclog?

To resolve this situation, you will first need to troubleshoot the toilet flushing issues. Toilets may not flush for various reasons, including a disconnected chain, faulty flapper, low water level, a damaged float, rim jet clogs, or simply a drain blockage that needs to be cleared with a plunger.

Can bleach unclog a toilet?

Bleach is an effective way to deal with blocked toilet drains as it is a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite and also contains a high chlorine concentration. Using bleach by itself or mixing it with boiling water are effective ways to unclog a toilet.

How do you tell if a toilet is unclogged without flushing?

Check water level in toilet bowl

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.

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