How to Fix a Blocked Toilet
- 1). Turn the shut-off valve completely clockwise to turn off the water to the toilet. Do not flush the toilet. Forcefully plunge the drain in the toilet bowl bottom, using a toilet plunger. Complete at least 12 up-and-down repetitions with the plunger. Watch the bowl to determine if the water level drops after you plunge, signaling that the blockage is cleared. If the water does not lower, continue plunging for at least two to three sets of 12 repetitions.
- 2). Spread newspaper around the base of the toilet and place a bucket beside the toilet. Insert the cable of a toilet auger into the drain. Turn the auger's handle clockwise and push down on the auger body to snake the cable through the toilet drain. When you encounter the blockage, continue turning the handle clockwise. Turn the handle counter-clockwise and pull back on the auger body to retrieve the cable from the toilet. Dump any blockage that you pull out of the drain into the bucket.
- 3). Flush the toilet and plunge with the toilet plunger again to make sure the blockage is totally cleared. If the auger does not remove the blockage, proceed to Step 4.
- 4). Bail the water from the toilet bowl, using a paper cup or a similar, small container. Hold a hand mirror in the toilet drain. Shine a flashlight on the mirror so the light bounces into the toilet drain, allowing you to see what may be blocking the drain through its reflection in the mirror. Straighten out a wire coat hanger, fashion the end of the wire into a hook and insert the hanger into the drain to catch onto the blockage and drag it into the bowl. Dump the blockage in the bucket. If you cannot reach the blockage in this manner, proceed to Step 5.
- 5). Flush the toilet and hold the handle down to allow as much water as possible to drain from the tank. Remove the tank lid and soak up any remaining water with a bath towel. Flush the toilet repeatedly to lower the water level in the bowl. Bail out the remaining bowl with with the paper cup. Spread a towel on the floor nearby.
- 6). Remove the supply hose from the bottom of the tank using an adjustable wrench. Remove the nuts from the closet bolts in the toilet base. Lift the toilet and place it on its side on the towel. Remove the blockage inside the trapway from the bottom of the toilet.
- 7). Scrape the old wax from the flange and from the toilet horn. Press a new wax gasket on top of the flange. You should always install a new wax ring when you lift the toilet off the old ring. Reinstall the toilet on the flange and reconnect the toilet properly. Turn the shut-off valve counter-clockwise and check around the toilet for any leaks.
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