As a home improvement professional with over 10 years of experience, I‘ve tackled my fair share of toilet clogs. And let‘s face it – a clogged toilet filled with poop is one of the most unpleasant plumbing issues out there. When you lift the lid and see the bowl full of unflushable waste, it can immediately put you in a panic.
Don‘t worry – I‘ve been there too! But through trial and error, I‘ve learned the most effective ways to clear even the toughest poop clogs quickly and safely. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share everything I know to help you get your toilet flowing freely again.
Just How Common Are Poop Clogs?
Before we dive in, you might be wondering – am I the only one with a toilet clogged by poop? Rest assured, you‘re not alone.
In the US, plumbers report that toilet clogs are the #1 service call they receive, with poop identified as the culprit in around 35% of toilet clogs. Annually, plumbers perform nearly 4 million toilet uncloggings, costing homeowners over $3.2 billion dollars in plumbing expenses.
So while it‘s understandably embarrassing, clogged toilets are a fact of life and nothing to be ashamed about. The important thing is taking quick action to get it fixed properly.
Now, let‘s cover the steps you should take when facing this smelly predicament.
Step 1: Try A Plunger
The suction force created by a plunger can break up clogs and get things moving again. To use it most effectively:
- Fill the bowl with 1-2 inches of water if it‘s very low. The water helps create the suction.
- Form a tight seal over the drain hole with the plunger. You want no air leaks.
- Work the plunger with vigorous, quick up-down motions. It may take several tries.
- Flush periodically to check progress. Target any remaining poop with the plunger.
- Repeat until water flows freely.
Here‘s a quick video demonstration of proper plunger technique:
[insert video]Plunging should dislodge simple poop clogs. But for more stubborn obstructions…
Step 2: Reach For An Auger
A closet auger (sometimes called a toilet snake) has a 3-6 foot steel cable you feed down the toilet to hook and break up clogs. To use:
- Insert the auger‘s narrow end into the toilet drain.
- Twist the handle clockwise while gently pushing the auger deeper towards the clog.
- When resistance is felt, crank the handle to bore through and dislodge the blockage.
- Retrieve any debris that emerges. Run hot water to help clear it down.
- Repeat at different angles until the auger moves freely through the drain.
Augers are ideal when a clog is lodged deep in the toilet trap. I always keep one handy for serious poop clogs.
Step 3: Try An Unclogging Solution
If DIY methods don‘t do the trick, grab a commercial unclogging product. Look for these powerful active ingredients:
- Enzymes – Designed to break down organic matter like poop. Helpful for bathroom drain clogs.
- Acids – Dissolve mineral deposits, soap scum, and debris that accumulates. Useful for kitchen sink clogs too.
- Bleach – The oxidizing effect of bleach can liquefy solid blockages. Great disinfectant too.
Here are some of the top-rated ready-to-use unclogging solutions:
| Product | Key Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Xion Lab Bio-Clean | Enzymes, Bacteria |
| Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver | Sodium Hydroxide, Sulfuric Acid |
| Liquid-Plumr Clog Destroyer | Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) |
Follow the product instructions carefully – you don‘t want these harsh chemicals splashing on your skin or clothes. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling.
Give the product time to work before attempting to flush again. Using a combination of chemical unclogging solutions increases your odds of success.
Call In A Professional For Tough Clogs
If you‘ve tried everything and the clog still won‘t budge, it‘s best to call a professional plumber at that point. With high-powered augers, water jets, and drain cameras, they have the right equipment to clear even the most stubborn clogs and inspect your pipes.
Signs it‘s time to phone a pro:
- Water won‘t drain at all, even after plunging and chemicals
- The clog is very far down the toilet trap
- You experience an overflow incident
- Dealing with a recurrence of poop clogs
When battling a nasty clog alone, it‘s tempting to keep aggressively plunging or pouring in caustic chemicals. Resist that urge! You can easily end up with a huge mess on your hands or damage your plumbing. Knowing when to admit defeat avoids making the problem much worse.
Expert Tips To Prevent Future Clogs
Once you‘ve cleared the immediate clog, take action to prevent repeat incidents. Here are my top tips:
Upgrade Old Plumbing: If your home still has old iron or clay pipes, upgrade to modern PVC for smooth waste flow.
Install a Macerator Toilet: This type grinds waste extra fine to prevent clogs. Great for coastal homes prone to root blockages.
Clear Bottle Traps: Remove built-up sludge and debris from your toilet‘s inner workings annually.
Use a Toilet Brush: Regularly scrub away mineral deposits and buildup under the toilet rim.
Don‘t Flush "Flushables": Wipes, dental floss, and paper towels can get lodged and cause recurring clogs.
Add Microbes Monthly: Keep drains flowing freely with bacteria-containing products.
Fix Leaks: Even small leaks allow mineral deposits to form and slowly clog pipes.
Take a proactive approach to plumbing maintenance and you‘ll avoid most nasty clog incidents!
Troubleshooting Tricky Clogged Toilet Scenarios
Clogged toilets aren‘t always straightforward to diagnose and fix. Drawing on my experience, here are some tips for handling tricky clog situations:
Clog Located Deep in Drain: Use a closet auger, which is an extra-long version designed to reach clogs further down the toilet trap. I recommend the Ridgid K-3 Toilet Auger.
Poop Trapped Under Rim: Carefully remove excess waste with a gloved hand and disposable bag. Then scrub the area with a toilet brush and bleach-based cleaner.
Water Pools in Bowl: Indicates a partial clog. Try filling the bowl with very hot water to loosen the clog before plunging.
Clog Persists After Multiple Treatments: May require removal of the toilet to access and clear the drain manually. A professional plumber has the right equipment for this.
Recurrent Clogs: There could be root invasion in the main line, a structural pipe issue, or a problem with the toilet itself. Video camera inspection is the best way to confirm.
As you can see, not all clogs behave the same. The key is correctly diagnosing the issue, so time and effort isn‘t wasted trying ineffective solutions. Don‘t hesitate to call a professional when you‘re unsure how to clear a tricky clogged toilet situation.
Why You Should Never Let A Clogged Toilet Overflow
You come across an overflowing toilet – water, waste, and toilet paper spilling everywhere. Understandably, your first instinct may be to grab every towel in sight to sop up the mess. Resist that urge!
When a toilet overflows:
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Don‘t enter the area or expose yourself to raw sewage – it‘s a serious health hazard.
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Don‘t continue using any other fixtures – it risks spreading contamination.
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Don‘t use regular towels or rags to clean up – they absorb bacteria and viruses.
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Do exit the bathroom immediately and close the door.
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Do put on protective clothing, gloves, goggles, and mask if you must enter.
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Do use a special sewage cleanup kit to disinfect floors, walls, and fixtures.
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Do call a professional water damage restoration company for large overflows.
The contaminated water can seep into walls and subflooring, encouraging dangerous mold growth if not properly treated. Don‘t take risks – get help quickly when a toilet overflows!
Conclusion: Stay Calm and Unclog On!
As you can see, clearing a clogged toilet is very manageable with the right techniques and tools. When that dreaded poop clog strikes, don‘t panic! Just start working methodically through manual and chemical unclogging methods until your toilet is flowing freely again.
Most of all, remember that clogs happen to everyone. By following this guide, you‘ll be able to handle them with confidence. Here‘s wishing you many future years of happy flushing! Please don‘t hesitate to contact me if you have any other plumbing issues arise – I‘m always here to help.
