Things You'll Need
Newspapers
Toilet flange plunger
Rubber gloves
Toilet auger
Dish soap
Knowing how to unclog a toilet stool will save you lots of money over the lifetime of your house. Calling a plumber to unclog a toilet stool costs money at any time, especially after hours and on weekends. Experience in the plumbing field is not necessary to unclog most toilet stool blockages. The necessary tools are not expensive and can be used repeatedly. Occasionally, tree roots may grow into the sewer line or the line itself breaks--both instances that will require a plumber's expertise--but in most cases you can repair the leak quickly and inexpensively.
Toilet Stool Flange Plunger
Step 1
Place newspapers on the floor around the toilet to contain any spillages. It's unlikely that a spill will occur but the newspapers make it easier to clean up.
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Step 2
Locate the water valve to the toilet stool. It's almost always located behind and between the toilet stool water tank and the stool itself. Leave the water on, but take note of how to turn it off if necessary. You can also lift up on the float ball, located under the lid inside the water tank, to stop the water immediately.
Step 3
Secure the proper tools. A toilet plunger with a rubber accordion-like chamber at the bottom and a rubber flange or tube extending from the accordion shape is called a toilet flange plunger and is very effective. It's available at home improvement stores.
Step 4
Wear rubber gloves and make certain that the water level in the toilet stool bowl is very low. You may need to remove some water. The water level should just cover the top of the plunger's suction cup.
Step 5
Place the plunger tube into the toilet stool opening.
Step 6
Push down slowly and pull back a little more forcefully without breaking the airtight seal between the plunger and the toilet stool bowl.
Step 7
Flush the toilet after giving the plunger three or four solid pushes and pulls. If it's still clogged, continue the process while moving faster and faster until the clog dislodges and the toilet will flush.
Step 8
Flush the toilet at least three times after clearing the blockage.
Hand-Operated Toilet Auger
Step 1
Remove stubborn blockages with a hand-operated toilet auger. The auger is typically 3 feet long with a spiral tip on the end that hooks onto blockages and either allows you to pull them out or break them up.
Step 2
Place the tip of the auger into the toilet stool's opening and use a rotary motion, with one hand on the handle, while holding the body of the auger in the other. Feed the line into the opening as far as it will go.
Step 3
Pull out the auger if it meets resistance and clean the end. If the auger does not snag the blockage, repeat the process until the line is fully extended, to break up and clear the blockage.
Tip
Pouring hot water directly into the toilet stool opening may soften or assist in breaking up the blockage. To do so, turn off the water to the toilet stool water tank. When the water level goes down, pour 1/2 cup of liquid dishwasher soap into the toilet bowl followed by 1 to 2 gallons of hot water. If the first application doesn't work, try it one more time.
Warning
Never pour boiling water down the toilet stool opening because the seals are made of wax and could warp or melt.
Do not rent a power auger from a rental center. Unless you're a professional, the chance of drilling the auger through the side of the sewer line or scratching the porcelain toilet stool bowl is too high.
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