In this post, I’m going to show you six ways to unblock your toilet.

These are:

  • The Manual Unblocking
  • The Plunger Unblocking
  • The Chemical Unblocking
  • The Alternative Chemical Unblocking
  • The Expert Unblocking
  • The New Toilet Unblocking

Taking you step by step through each, these are the same actions a plumber will take when unblocking your toilet.

Let’s get started:

Preparing to Unblock a Toilet

Unblocking a toilet isn’t a pleasant experience. In fact, you’re likely going to have to get your hands dirty. That’s why I really encourage you to take the following steps to protect yourself and your bathroom.

  • Change into some old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
  • Source some long rubber gloves. Alternatively, if you can’t find gloves, two decent plastic bags should do the trick.
  • Lay down some plastic wrap or old newspaper to protect the floor and absorb any spilt water.
  • Shield your eyes with protective glasses. If you can’t source protective classes, wear sunglasses.

The Manual Unblocking

If you know exactly what is causing the blockage, then this is the first method you should try. Unfortunately, you are going to have to get your hands dirty, so make sure you are wearing full PPE. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

  • Long rubber gloves
  • A wire coat hanger (optional)
  • A decent bin bag
  • A bucket of hot water (not boiling!)

Step 1 - Get Stuck In

Get down on your knees and put your hand in the toilet. Make sure your head is turned away from the toilet before you start feeling around. Now that you’re in position, feel around the basin to see if you can feel the blockage. If you can, try to unblock it. If you’re struggling to free the blockage, or you believe it is further down the plumbing, then move on to using the coat hanger.

Step 2 - Prepare and Use the Coat Hanger

Break the wire coat hanger into one long straight wire. Then, when the wire is set, get down on your knees and place the wire into the toilet. Pushing the wire around the bend, see if you can feel the blockage. It may take you some time to feel the blockage, but once you do, start to pull and push the blockage until it clears. Again, this may take some time and lots of repetitive push and pull action until you have it completely clear.

Note: Be careful when placing the wire in the toilet. A sharp end could easily scratch your toilet.

Step 3 - Dispose of the Blockage

If you’ve freed the blockage, then all you need to do now is remove it from the toilet and into the bin bag. Don’t try to flush it again, as it is likely to just get blocked.

Step 4 - Flush with hot water

Now that the blockage is free, it’s time to fully clear the pipe. When the toilet is flushing, pour the bucket of hot water from about waist height into the toilet. The extra pressure from the water will help clear any leftover blockage, while the hot water will help break up any larger particles.

Note: Do not use boiling water as this may crack your toilet

The Plunger Unblocking

The plunger method is probably the most common method of unblocking a toilet. Unfortunately, if you’re anything like 90% of Brits, it’s unlikely you have a plunger lying around at home. But wait, wait, wait. Before you run off down the hardware store, try these methods as a plunger alternative.

  • Wrap a plastic bag around a mop
  • Wrap a plastic bag around a toilet brush

Remember, all you need is some water in the bowl and a tool to act as a suction, so try these options first before running down the shops. You will also need:

  • Long rubber gloves
  • A decent bin bag
  • A bucket of hot water (not boiling!)

Step 1: Create the Vacuum

Lower the plunger down into the toilet pipe. When it’s in place, slowly push down to create a vacuum over the hole. Now that you can feel a little tension on the plunger, pull the handle up quickly to try and loosen the blockage. You may need to repeat this method until the blockage is clear.

Step 2 - Dispose of the Blockage

Now that the blockage is free, all you need to do is remove it from the toilet and into the bin bag. Remember, don’t try to just flush the blockage. It will only get blocked again.

Step 3 - Flush with hot water

Again, now that the blockage is free, it’s time to fully clear the pipe. Taking the bucket to waist height, flush and pour the bucket of hot water into the toilet. The extra pressure from the water will help clear any leftover blockage, while the hot water will help break up any larger particles.

The Chemical Method

If you’ve tried the manual and plunger method (or you just don’t fancy getting your hands dirty), then the chemical method might just be your fix. You should only use this method for organic waste (urine, pee, toilet paper). Chemicals can mix with certain metals and plastics to produce toxic gasses. To get started, you will need:

  • Long rubber gloves
  • A decent bin bag
  • A bucket of hot water (not boiling!)
  • Drain cleaner (store-bought or homemade)

Note: Only use a toilet friendly drain cleaner. Some chemicals within a drain cleaner can damage your toilet components and waste pipes.

Step 1 - Purchase or Make Your Drain Clearer

For a homemade drain clearer, pour 100g of baking soda, 250ml of white vinegar and 500ml of hot water into the toilet. Close the toilet lid to stop any fumes from entering the bathroom.

For the store-bought drain clearer, read the instructions carefully before use. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, pour the cleaner into the toilet and close the lid.

Step 2 - Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions

If you’re using the home-made method, wait 30 minutes while the vinegar and baking soda begin to mix and react.

If you’re using the store-bought drain cleaner, leave the drain cleaner to take effect for the time stated in the instructions.

Step 3 - Flush the Toilet

Once the specified times are up, it’s time to fully clear the pipe. When the toilet is flushing, pour the bucket of hot water from about waist height into the toilet. The extra pressure from the water will help clear any leftover blockage, while the hot water will help break up any larger particles.

The Alternative Chemical Method

If you don’t have baking soda and vinegar, or you’re worried about how environmentally friendly drain cleaner is, then using some ordinary washing up liquid as your chemical alternative might do the trick.

Be warned, this method doesn’t always work, but it can be a decent alternative when needs must. You will need:

  • Long rubber gloves
  • Washing up liquid
  • A bucket of hot water (not boiling!)

Step 1 - Pour in the washing up liquid

Pour around 250ml of washing up liquid into the toilet bowl. Try to spread the liquid evenly across the water’s surface.

Step 2 - Leave for 30 minutes

Leave the solution to dissolve the blockage for about 30 minutes up to one hour. The longer you leave it, the longer it has to dissolve the blockage.

Step 3 - Flush the Toilet

Once the 30 minutes are up, it’s time to try clearing the pipe. When the toilet is flushing, pour the bucket of hot water from about waist height into the toilet. The extra pressure from the water will help clear the blockage, while the hot water will help break up any larger particles.

The Expert Method

If you’ve tried each of the three methods listed above, and you still can’t clear the blockage, then it’s time to call a plumber.

A typical blockage should cost £50 to £100, but it really depends on what’s blocking your toilet and whereabouts in the toilet the particular blockage is located.

A general survey we conducted found the following prices for unblocking a toilet in each region of the UK:

The New Toilet Method

If toilet blocking is a recurring problem that just keeps happening regardless of how careful you are with what you put in the toilet, then you may want to consider purchasing a saniflo or macerator toilet.

A saniflo toilet differs from a conventional toilet in two ways. Firstly, it macerates (breaks up) the waste in the toilet using a blade. Secondly, instead of flushing waste through drainage in the floor, a saniflo toilet uses a centrifugal pump to flush the waste out of the toilet and into the general waste system.

Saniflo systems come in all different shapes, sizes and pump capacities. Some will service a single toilet, some will serve a complete bathroom and some will service an entire office.

The standard single toilet Saniflo Domestic costs about £242, and you’re looking at about £200 to £300 to install, depending on your location. That’s based on:

All in, you’re probably looking at £400 to £600. That may seem like a lot, but if you’re continuously having to unblock a toilet, it may be worth the expenditure.

Free Advice

If you’re struggling for toilet plumbing advice, ring our dedicated experts on 0800 112 3134 or 0333 577 3134. We’re open Monday to Friday 07:00 - 17:30 and Saturday 08:30 - 12:30.