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.
Lower the plunger into the toilet bowl at an angle, and fit the rubber cup over the toilet's drain hole. Grip the plunger handle with both hands. With a forceful motion, move the cup up and down without breaking the cup's seal around the hole. Repeat this action for about 10 to 20 seconds and then remove the plunger.
Plunging down too hard
And a really hard thrust could even crack the bowl. The proper toilet plunging technique: Place the plunger in the toilet bowl so that water is covering the lips of the plunger. Push down gently to get all the air out of the plunger and to get a good seal.
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).
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.
So, let's recap the common reasons why a toilet won't unclog — excessive toilet paper use, non-flushable solids, hard water, and clogs in the main sewer line. Thankfully, they can be prevented via methods like double-flushing, covering the toilet bowl, routine inspections and dealing with tree roots.
Plunge Correctly
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.
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.
Plunge Out the Water
After shutting off the water supply valve, place the flange of a toilet plunger (also called a closet plunger) firmly into the drain hole in the bottom of the toilet bowl. Plunge with an up-and-down motion to get most of the water out of the bowl. This should force out any clog into the drain.
Once the plunger has created a good seal, push down and pull up a few times without breaking the seal. Then, flush. If the water does not go down, open the tank again and make sure the flapper is closed, so the water does not overflow.
The answer might surprise you: dish soap. Yes, that's right. Dish soap can be your savior when it comes to unclogging toilets quickly and efficiently. Simply pour some dish soap into the clogged toilet bowl and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes.
One of the most popular methods of unclogging a slow draining toilet is using hot water and liquid soap. Pour the boiling water into the bowl and then add the liquid soap. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before flushing.
As it turns out, you can actually unclog a toilet with dish soap instead of turning to a harsh, toxic bowl cleaner. Just as natural dish soap helps break down dirt, grease, and food that may be stuck on dishes and utensils, it can help break down what's in your toilet bowl.
Submerge the plunger (the top of the bell should be covered with water) and make sure the rubber ring is inserted directly into the drain opening. Push and pull on the handle with quick, concentrated thrusts for 20 seconds without lifting the plunger out of the drain and breaking the seal.
Blocked Toilet Vent
The toilet vent allows fresh air to enter your home's plumbing system, which increases the pressure of flushes. If a toilet vent becomes blocked, the toilet loses flushing pressure. With poor pressure the toilet keeps clogging more frequently, and clogs become a consistent problem.
Aside from vinegar and baking soda mixture, applying bleach is one of the easiest and cheapest methods for unclogging a blocked toilet.
Pour Hot Water into the Toilet
If you need to heat some in the microwave or the stovetop, you don't want it to reach boiling temperatures. Boiling water can cause toilet porcelain to crack. Allow the hot fluid to sit in the toilet for a few minutes to loosen the clog.
Confirm that there is standing water in the toilet bowl. Sometimes clogs cause a toilet to slowly drain its bowl. You cannot plunge a toilet that is empty, so if there is no standing water, use a cup to fill the toilet with water from your sink.
The normal water level in a toilet bowl is about halfway full. The water should sit above the P trap drain because this creates a seal and suction. When you flush the toilet, the suction keeps sewer gases from entering your house through your toilet.
If water is rising in the bowl immediately after you've already flushed, that means a clog is blocking the water from moving through the toilet drain. If you flush again, there will be even more water that's unable to make it past the clog, and you'll end up with even more flooding from the toilet bowl.