Free shipping

Unclogging Toilet Drains

A clogged toilet is one of the most common household plumbing problems. If your toilet overflows or flushes poorly, try clearing it with a plunger. A plunger uses air to force clogs out of drains, so it's easy to use and doesn't damage pipes. If you use a hand snake or a closet snake – one made specifically for use inside toilets – take care that you don't bang the porcelain sides of the bowl. Porcelain is tough – up to a point. You wouldn't want to crack your toilet and end up replacing the whole thing.

Add to Your Projects

What You'll Need

Skill Scale Easy

Time Required
Most clogs clear with a plunger in a few minutes. It takes about half an hour to snake a drain.
Tools

 

Steps

Step One
Step 1

Clearing a toilet with a plunger: Place the plunger over the hole in the toilet. Plunge up and down rapidly, keeping the plunger under water and lifting it only an inch or so on every upstroke. Keep doing this for a minute or two. If it doesn't clear, use a closet snake.

Step Two
Step 2

Clearing a toilet with a closet snake: Feed the end of the cable into the toilet, taking care not to scratch the bowl. Crank the handle clockwise to snag the obstruction. Continue cranking while pulling the obstruction out.

 
How-To Overview
 
How-To Categories
Appliances
Bath
Building Materials
Décor
Doors & Windows
Electrical
Flooring
Kitchen
Lighting & Fans
Outdoors
Paint
Plumbing
Spring
Storage & Organization
Tools & Hardware
How-To Resources
Buying Guides
Calculators
Design Tools
Project Guides
Weather Center
More Ways to Learn
Garden Club
Home Improvers Club
Kids Workshops
Video Library

Your Projects

Log In to Access Your Projects

  *Required Fields
 
  Forget Your Password? Click here
  Create an Account