To repair a blocked toilet, do not flush again. Lift the tank lid and close the flapper if the bowl is rising, put on gloves, and plunge with a toilet plunger until the water drops and drains. If plunging fails, use a closet auger. This is the toilet part of our drain cleaning and clogs guides. It works for most single-toilet clogs, and it explains when to stop.
What should I do first when my toilet is blocked and the bowl is rising?
Stop the water before anything else. Do not flush again. Take the lid off the tank, push the rubber flapper down to stop more water entering the bowl, or turn the shutoff valve behind the toilet clockwise until it stops. A rising bowl will usually stop on its own once water is cut off.
Then:
- Put towels on the floor and open a window.
- Wear rubber gloves.
- If the bowl is very full, bail some water into a bucket, because a plunger does not need a full bowl.
- If the bowl is low, add warm water until it covers the cup of the plunger.
If water is already on the floor and you cannot shut it off at the toilet, find the main valve for the house. Our toilet overflow tube guide explains the parts inside the tank, and the running toilet guide covers a toilet that does not stop filling.
How do I plunge a badly blocked toilet fast?
Use a flange plunger made for toilets, seat it so it seals over the drain opening, and push down gently first, to push out the air in the cup, then pull and push in steady strokes. A plunger is a tool that clears blockages in a drain with pressure and suction. Ten to fifteen strokes often move the clog.
Kitchen plungers have a flat cup and do not seal well in a toilet bowl. Toilet plungers have a bowl-shaped cup, often with an extra flange that fits into the opening. Keep the seal, and do not use quick sharp stabs that spill water.
- Plunge, then wait ten seconds and look at the water level.
- Repeat in sets of fifteen strokes, up to five sets.
- When the water drops with a gulp, add a bucket of water to the bowl to test.
- Only then flush once to confirm.
Most clogs are toilet paper and waste, and they break up when you push and pull. If this works, tidy up and wipe the plunger. If it does not, move to the auger.
How do I use a closet auger on a blocked toilet?
A closet auger, also called a toilet auger, is a short, flexible cable inside a rigid shaft, with a curved guard so it does not scratch the porcelain. Feed it into the drain, turn the handle clockwise and push gently until you feel the clog. Then crank to hook or break it and pull back.
Steps:
- Pull the cable fully back inside the shaft, then place the curved end in the bowl opening.
- Crank the handle slowly while pushing it in, to pass the bend in the toilet trap.
- When you feel resistance, keep turning to break up or snag the clog.
- Pull the auger out slowly and wipe it clean, which may bring the clog with it.
- Run a bucket of water to check the flow, then flush.
A drain auger, or plumber's snake, is the longer type for sinks and tubs. For a toilet, the closet auger is the right tool because it is made to pass the bend without damage to the bowl. If you meet something hard, such as a toy, stop. Forcing it can push it deeper or crack the bowl.
What can block a toilet, and why does it keep happening?
Too much toilet paper, a low-flow flush that cannot carry it, or something that should not have been flushed block most toilets. Wipes sold as flushable, cotton balls, paper towels, feminine products and toys are common culprits, and they do not break down like toilet paper.
Causes to rule out when a blockage comes back:
- Too much paper in one flush. Flush in two goes.
- Wipes and products that do not break up.
- A partly blocked vent pipe, which slows the flush.
- A tree root or break in the sewer line, which blocks the line outside.
- A toilet that does not flush hard enough, which may be worn or have a partly blocked rim.
A toilet that blocks every week is telling you something. Look at the pattern. If other fixtures gurgle or back up at the same time, the clog may be in the main line, not the toilet.
Can I use drain cleaner or hot water on a blocked toilet?
Do not use chemical drain cleaner in a toilet. The National Capital Poison Center says lye-based cleaners are very caustic and can cause burns, and warns never to mix cleaning products. A blocked toilet holds the chemical in the bowl, where it can splash back when you plunge. Plumbers working on the line later also face the hazard.
Hot tap water can help a little. Pour a bucket of warm water into the bowl from waist height. Do not use boiling water, since it can crack the porcelain. Dish soap in the bowl can lubricate a paper clog, followed by warm water, but it is not a cure for a solid object.
If a chemical has already been used, tell the plumber, wear gloves and goggles, and call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone is splashed or breathes the fumes.
When should I call a plumber for a blocked toilet?
Call a plumber if the plunger and closet auger do not clear it after two or three tries, if several fixtures back up at once, or if sewage comes up in a shower or floor drain. Those signs point to the main line, not the toilet.
Also call if the toilet is loose, cracked or leaking at the base. In the City of Los Angeles, the property owner is generally responsible for the private sewer lateral to the street connection, and LA Sanitation looks after the public main, so a plumber can tell whether a camera inspection is needed. If you want help, send a request on the quote page and we'll arrange a local plumber to come to you.
For prices, see the cost to unclog a toilet. If water is spreading, see emergency plumber help and tell us it is urgent. The home page explains how our service works.
Common questions
How do I unblock a badly blocked toilet fast?
Stop the flush, plunge with a toilet plunger sealed over the drain, and push and pull in steady strokes until the water drops. If ten to fifteen strokes in several sets do not work, use a closet auger. Dish soap and warm water in the bowl may help with a paper clog. Avoid chemical cleaners.
Why will my toilet not flush and the water is rising?
The drain is blocked below the bowl, so the water has nowhere to go. Do not flush again. Close the flapper in the tank or turn the shutoff valve behind the toilet, then plunge. If water rises in other drains too, the clog is probably in the main line and a plumber will need to clear it.
Can I flush a toilet that is blocked?
No. Flushing a blocked toilet sends more water into a full bowl, which can overflow onto the floor. Plunge first, wait until the water drops and the bowl refills, then flush once. If it rises again, stop and use a closet auger, or call a plumber.
Is a blocked toilet an emergency?
It can be. A toilet that is overflowing, or that comes with sewage backing up in the shower or floor drain, is an emergency, because contaminated water can spread fast. A single toilet that is full but stable can wait a short time while you plunge it. Shut the water off, and call if you cannot clear it.
How much does a plumber charge to unblock a toilet?
It depends on the clog and the plumber, so ask for a written quote. Published guides show a call-out fee plus an hourly rate, and a simple toilet clog often takes under an hour. A deeper blockage that needs a camera or a machine costs more. We'll arrange a plumber and you get the price before work starts.