How To Unblock A Toilet

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: Unblocking toilets

A blockage is usually caused by something of unusual shape - such as a nappy, a toy, or an air freshener, although often toilets can just get clogged with too much toilet paper.

Unblocking a toilet is easy, but it is a dirty job. So make sure you put on a good pair of rubber gloves before you start.

Step 3: Do not keep flushing

If you think your toilet's blocked don't keep flushing it. The chances are it will overflow and flood the room.

Step 4: Place newspapers on the floor

Put some old newspapers or towels onto the floor around the toilet in case of spillage

Step 5: Remove some of the water

If your toilet pan is already full of water you should remove some into a bucket. Use a bowl or a jug to scoop the water out and then pour it into the bucket

Step 6: Begin plunging

Press down firmly, then pull upwards slowly. Keep doing this until you start to hear the water going down the pipes and feel the toilet unblock. You will probably need to do this about 10 times. Pushing down and pulling up will create suction inside the plunger head which will draw out the blockage and encourage it to go down the pipes.

Step 7: Wash the plunger

You must wash the plunger after using it.

Step 8: The coat hanger method

If you have not been able to clear the blockage by using the plunger alone you could try using a wire coat hanger. First of all, unravel the wire coat hanger.

Move the wire in and out in a circular motion in order to loosen the blockage and encourage it to go down the drain.

Step 9: The flexible cleaning tool method

If the blockage is being particularly stubborn and both the plunger and/or the wire have failed to dislodge it, you may need a flexible cleaning tool to reach further into the pipes. The flexible cleaning tool can be inserted straight into the toilet.

Push the flexible cleaning tool down until you can feel the blockage. Move the tool around inside the bend to clear it.

Step 10: Flush the toilet

Once you think the blockage has cleared, flush the toilet to test if your handy work has paid off.

Step 11: Disinfect the toilet

Pour in a bit of household bleach or disinfectant to clear and disinfect the remaining residue in the bowl.

Step 12: If unsuccessful

In the unlikely event that all these methods have failed to unblock your toilet, there is probably a problem further along the soil pipe or in the drain run itself, in which case you will need to call out an expert plumber to help with the problem.