How To Unclog a Toilet When a Plunger Doesn’t Work

When the Water Won’t Go Down… 

A clogged toilet can cause frustration, especially if it’s in the primary bathroom your family and guests use. As Ohio’s professional plumbing experts, we regularly get calls for plunging problems. Many times, professional help is warranted, but unless it’s an emergency, we’ve compiled our favorite DIY tricks to help you possibly avoid having to call us to start with! 

Hot Water & Dish Soap

This simple method works well for mild drain clogs.

1. Pour half a cup of dish soap down the toilet. Let the dish soap sit in the toilet undisturbed for 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Heat a gallon of water so it’s just below boiling temperature. (Be careful to keep the water below boiling point because pouring boiling water down a toilet can crack the porcelain in the toilet bowl.)
3. Carefully pour the hot water down the toilet. Let the hot water sit in the bowl and cool all the way down.
4. After at least 60 minutes, try to flush the toilet again.

Baking Soda & Vinegar

This method involves a bit more waiting time (overnight) if you can spare it.

1. Pour a cup of baking soda into your toilet.
2. Add 2 cups of white/apple vinegar to the toilet and watch it fizz!
3. Don’t be alarmed. This mixture of baking soda and vinegar causes a chemical reaction that works to break up the clog.
4. Now it’s time to be patient because you need to let the fizzy mixture sit overnight.
5. In the morning, flush the toilet to see if the clog has been cleared.

Use a Wire Coat Hanger

A delicate touch is required for this method, as you can scratch the porcelain and damage your toilet.

1. Take a simple wire coat hanger and work out the curves so that it’s mostly straight.
2. Create a small hook on one end.
3. Carefully move the wire down the toilet’s drain, going gently and slowly, to see if you can pull the clog out or at least break it up.

When Should I Call Heart of Ohio?

If your clog still isn’t budging after trying all of the above DIY methods, it’s definitely time to enlist the help of a plumbing professional who can clear a drain clog with care and efficiency. Heart of Ohio’s trusted team of expert plumbers is in your neighborhood. In fact, we’ve been serving Northeast Ohio for over 100 years and have cleared every type of toilet clog you can imagine. Most importantly, we take plumbing emergency calls 24/7!

Call 330-764-1011 or contact us online to get a professional plumber in your house today!