Toilet Clogs.

When water refuses to drain from the bowl there is a blockage in the toilet or drain line. Run the bathroom sink nearest the toilet to see if it drains. If it does, the blockage is probably in the toilet. If the sink is also not draining, then the clog is farther along in the drain line. If other drains in the house are not draining, the problem is in the sewer line. The clog will most likely need to be accessed through a clean-out in the sewer line.

Provided everything else is draining OK, the toilet itself must be clogged. If you have a shelf over the toilet it may be possible some small item fell in. If you have kids in the house there could be a toy in the bowl. (Remember Bill Cosby's woolen top coat?...ahhh...that's an old comedy routine) . Back to the toilet...If some item has fallen in, it's better to try and fish it out than push it down.

If it's a clog from normally flushed waste it most likely can be cleared with the use of a plunger. The best plunger is one with a flange that fits into the opening at the bottom of the bowl. This exerts more pressure than a cup type plunger. The cup type will work but it make take a little more effort.

The plunger works on suction, so the bowl needs to be at least half full. This is usually NOT a problem, and some of the contents may need to be removed to avoid spillage while plunging. Use rubber gloves or carefully use a disposable plastic or paper cup to scoop out excess into a bucket.

The plunger needs to completely cover the drain opening. Push and pull the plunger up and down several times. Speed is not essential. Going faster only increases the likelyhood of spilling over the sides. If the water goes down slowly, DO NOT ASSUME the clog is cleared. Add some clean water from a nearby sink until the bowl is half full and plunge again.

DO NOT FLUSH THE TOILET. When you think the clog is cleared, pour more water from the sink into the toilet. When the clog is cleared you will not be able to over fill the toilet. The water will remain at its normal level no matter how much you keep pouring in. At this point you can flush the toilet.

If after several attempts to plunge the water still is not draining out of the bowl a closet auger may be needed. This drain clearing tool is specifically for use with a toilet. It't not something you usually keep around the house but if clogs are common you may want to consider adding it to your inventory of tools. Typically it has a sharp spiral of wire on the tip and a semi-rigid wire that can flex through the bends in the toilet bowl. It also has a guide tube and an offset hand crank, to turn the spiral tip and clear the obstruction. Do not use other types of drain snakes with a toilet as they can damage the toilet.

Put the guide tube into the curve facing the direction of the drain. Crank the auger in one direction until is becomes tight then crank in the other direction. Here too speed is not important and a slower turn reduces agitation that may spill out of the bowl. Repeat this until the auger is in as far as it will go. Crank the auger to clear the obstruction and then pull the guide tube out of the toilet. If the auger gets stuck push and pull gently as you turn the crank gently pulling out.

Do not force the auger or the toilet bowl maya be damaged. With the auger removed, go back to the plunger and repeat that process. A toilet bowl that has an object lodged inside that can't be removed must be replaced. A cracked toilet tank or bowl should be replaced as soon as possible. Even if not leaking now, it eventually will and most likely will cause a flood.

Toilet Clogs.

When water refuses to drain from the bowl there is a blockage in the toilet or drain line. Run the bathroom sink nearest the toilet to see if it drains. If it does, the blockage is probably in the toilet. If the sink is also not draining, then the clog is farther along in the drain line. If other drains in the house are not draining, the problem is in the sewer line. The clog will most likely need to be accessed through a clean-out in the sewer line.

Provided everything else is draining OK, the toilet itself must be clogged. If you have a shelf over the toilet it may be possible some small item fell in. If you have kids in the house there could be a toy in the bowl. (Remember Bill Cosby's woolen top coat?...ahhh...that's an old comedy routine) . Back to the toilet...If some item has fallen in, it's better to try and fish it out than push it down.

If it's a clog from normally flushed waste it most likely can be cleared with the use of a plunger. The best plunger is one with a flange that fits into the opening at the bottom of the bowl. This exerts more pressure than a cup type plunger. The cup type will work but it make take a little more effort.

The plunger works on suction, so the bowl needs to be at least half full. This is usually NOT a problem, and some of the contents may need to be removed to avoid spillage while plunging. Use rubber gloves or carefully use a disposable plastic or paper cup to scoop out excess into a bucket.

The plunger needs to completely cover the drain opening. Push and pull the plunger up and down several times. Speed is not essential. Going faster only increases the likelyhood of spilling over the sides. If the water goes down slowly, DO NOT ASSUME the clog is cleared. Add some clean water from a nearby sink until the bowl is half full and plunge again.

DO NOT FLUSH THE TOILET. When you think the clog is cleared, pour more water from the sink into the toilet. When the clog is cleared you will not be able to over fill the toilet. The water will remain at its normal level no matter how much you keep pouring in. At this point you can flush the toilet.

If after several attempts to plunge the water still is not draining out of the bowl a closet auger may be needed. This drain clearing tool is specifically for use with a toilet. It't not something you usually keep around the house but if clogs are common you may want to consider adding it to your inventory of tools. Typically it has a sharp spiral of wire on the tip and a semi-rigid wire that can flex through the bends in the toilet bowl. It also has a guide tube and an offset hand crank, to turn the spiral tip and clear the obstruction. Do not use other types of drain snakes with a toilet as they can damage the toilet.

Put the guide tube into the curve facing the direction of the drain. Crank the auger in one direction until is becomes tight then crank in the other direction. Here too speed is not important and a slower turn reduces agitation that may spill out of the bowl. Repeat this until the auger is in as far as it will go. Crank the auger to clear the obstruction and then pull the guide tube out of the toilet. If the auger gets stuck push and pull gently as you turn the crank gently pulling out.

Do not force the auger or the toilet bowl maya be damaged. With the auger removed, go back to the plunger and repeat that process. A toilet bowl that has an object lodged inside that can't be removed must be replaced. A cracked toilet tank or bowl should be replaced as soon as possible. Even if not leaking now, it eventually will and most likely will cause a flood.