The most common cause of a toilet that doesn't drain properly is simply that it's clogged, which itself can happen for any number of reasons. Typically, using a plunger is enough to dislodge the clog and allow the water to drain properly. If that doesn't work, you may be dealing with a different issue. Venting issues.
If you have a toilet that doesn't fully flush, common causes include a clog in the trap, a worn-out flapper, blocked rim jets, a faulty float, or an issue with the handle and chain.
If your toilet is backing up, it may be due to your tank not having enough water to flush it. Low tank water levels may result from several causes. Damaged water supply lines, broken tank seals, and other issues may prevent tanks from filling completely. Some toilet models may also have low flush strength.
If more than one drain is slow moving, gurgling, smells bad or has water backing up, you most likely have a main sewer clog.
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.
There is only one Drano® product recommended for use in slow-running toilets: Drano® Max Build-Up Remover. It contains microorganisms that break down organic matter in pipes that can slow water flow.
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.
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.
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.
This is simply a mix of baking soda and vinegar. It's a homemade drain cleaner that works extremely well in unclogging toilets. You only need to make a mix of 1/3rd of a cup of baking soda and 1/3rd cup of vinegar. This should be a very quick activity.
Along with gravity, this pressure helps remove unwanted goop out of the pipes and unclogs drains. Baking soda, vinegar and boiling water can help clean drains naturally, but you may need something stronger, like Liquid-Plumr, to fully unclog those really tough drain clogs.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
The process includes pouring one cup of baking soda into the toilet and following it up with a cup of white vinegar. After a few minutes of wait time, pour several cups of water into the toilet bowl to dislodge the clog.
High Water Pressure with Baking Soda and Vinegar
To do this, use a 2:1 ratio of vinegar to baking soda, and mix it into 60 gallons of water. As you pour the water down the drain, use a drain snake or plunger to dislodge debris that is blocking water flow.
Our top pick, Drano Max Gel Clog Remover, is easy to find and use on common clogs, like hair, food, and grease. We also like the Rockwell Labs InVade Bio Drain Gel. This gel solution is extra-effective on drain flies and comes in a smaller container, making it good to keep around the kitchen.
Basic clogs are by far the most common cause of sewer lines backing up. They are typically the result of not being careful with what goes down your drains. Failing to clean up hair from the shower drain, pouring oil down the sink, and using “flushable” wipes are the most common paths to backups.
Depending on the severity of the problem, your sewer line could take anywhere from a half hour to 5 hours to be cleaned. A professional will come and talk to you about your issue. Then, they'll likely first try to resolve the problem with a drain clearing "auger" (a motorized snake-like tool that breaks apart clogs).
Will a toilet eventually unclog itself? It sure would be nice, but it's fairly rare for a toilet's clog to clear up after a few hours. It can happen, but only in select circumstances.
If you use bleach to clean a drain on a nonoperating unit will leave residual bleach, which will damage the drain pan and line as we stated before. Using vinegar for preventative maintenance throughout the year will keep not only keep your drain clean and clear, but it also will not damage your line.
You can also pour vinegar down the drain on its own.
Pour about 1 cup of vinegar down your drain and let it sit for 30-40 minutes.
Preventative Maintenance
Pouring bleach into the drain when the unit is not operating can leave residual bleach, which will damage the drain pan and line. Using vinegar for preventative maintenance throughout the year will keep your drain clean and clear and will not damage your line.