If the bowl is rising right now
Do not flush again. Water that is already near the rim will usually keep coming. Work through these steps while you decide whether to plunge or call:
- Lift the tank lid and push the flapper down onto its seat to stop more water entering the bowl.
- Turn the water supply valve at the wall behind the toilet clockwise until it stops.
- Put towels at the base and move rugs out of the way.
- If water is spilling onto the floor and will not stop, turn off the water at the main shutoff.
- If the water is dirty and you can see it backing from the floor drain too, stop and call.
Pick the right plunger
Many failed attempts come from the wrong tool. A cup plunger is flat on the bottom and seals on a smooth surface like a sink. A toilet needs a different shape.
| Tool | Shape | Best for | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flange plunger | Cup with a soft rubber sleeve that folds out | Toilet bowls, since the sleeve seats in the drain opening | Needs enough water in the bowl to cover the cup. |
| Cup plunger | Flat bell | Sinks, tubs and flat drains | Poor seal in a toilet, so it mostly splashes. |
| Closet auger | Hand crank with a coiled cable and a protective sleeve | Clogs past the bowl, in the built-in trap | Needs gentle handling to avoid scratching porcelain. |
| Drain machine | Powered cable | Clogs in the line past the toilet | A plumber's tool, not a first step. |
Plunging that actually works
Seat the flange sleeve in the drain opening so the cup is under water. Push down gently first, to push air out, then pull up hard. Most of the clearing action comes on the pull, because it drags the obstruction back toward you.
Repeat for fifteen to twenty strokes, then watch the bowl. A drop in the water level with a gurgle means the clog is moving. If the level falls and then rises, the blockage is farther down the line and more plunging will only splash.
Keep the bowl water at a normal level. If it is low, add water from a bucket until the cup is covered, since plunging air does nothing. If it is near the rim, bail some out into the bucket first so plunging does not slosh it onto the floor.
If the plunger and auger both fail, the blockage is deeper, so call (336) 453-0472 before water reaches the rim again.
When to reach for a closet auger
- Set up the augerPull the cable back into the tube and place the curved end in the bowl opening, with the bend turned toward the drain.
- Crank and pushTurn the handle clockwise while pushing the cable in. The cable should slip around the trap bend. Stop if it hits firm resistance that does not give.
- Break or hook the clogRotate until the resistance eases. Then pull the cable back slowly, since it may bring up the cause.
- Flush a testPour in a bucket of water first. If it drains normally, flush once and watch. Clean the auger and the floor with a disinfectant.
What not to pour or push down
Skip bleach and drain cleaner in the bowl. Chemicals do not break up a paper-and-wipe plug well, and they sit in water that you may need to plunge. A splash from a chemical-filled bowl is a burn risk.
Never push a bottle brush, hanger or garden hose down the toilet. They can scratch the porcelain or wedge an object tighter. A plumber can retrieve a toy or other solid item from the trap with the right tools, sometimes by lifting the toilet off its flange.
Paper is the other trap. Toilet paper breaks down in water, but thick wads, paper towels and wipes hold together and lodge in the narrow bend inside the bowl. Use less paper per flush and flush twice during a heavy use, which keeps the bend from loading up.
If you need the toilet removed, repaired or replaced, our toilet repair and installation service covers both.
Signs it is a main line problem, not just the toilet
One stubborn toilet is a local problem. These signs point to a line that serves the whole house:
- Two or more drains are slow at the same time, such as a toilet and a tub.
- The toilet bubbles or gurgles when you run the washer or a shower.
- A floor drain in the basement or garage backs up.
- Plunging clears it for a short time and the clog returns within a day.
- You smell sewage even when the toilet is not in use.
When to stop and call
If the main line signs show up, drain cleaning with a machine and a camera is the next step. Plunging a toilet connected to a full main line only pushes sewage up the lowest fixture.
We serve homes in Clemmons, Lewisville and across our service area. Our 24/7 line at (336) 453-0472 is open for an overflow that will not stop.
Clemmons plumbing note: wipes, flushables and septic homes
The Town of Lewisville says many homes in town have septic systems. Its guidance tells residents not to flush wipes, including ones labeled flushable, along with feminine hygiene products, diapers, paper towels, grease and coffee grounds.
The Town also advises a professional inspection of an average household septic system at least every three years and tank pumping every three to five years. For a clogged toilet, that means a wipe plug on a septic property can reach the tank and do more harm than a clog in a municipal line, so call a plumber instead of flushing it through.
If you are not sure whether your home uses public sewer or septic, check your bill or ask your water and sewer provider.
Source: Town of Lewisville septic guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use hot water or dish soap to clear a toilet clog?
Warm water and a squirt of dish soap can help soften a paper clog. Pour it slowly into the bowl and wait. Do not use boiling water, which can crack porcelain.
Why does my toilet clog again right after plunging?
The clog may be partly cleared, or the obstruction may be in the line past the trap. If this happens more than once, a camera inspection can find a root, a sag or a solid object.
Are flushable wipes really safe to flush?
Not in our experience, and not under the Town of Lewisville guidance, which lists wipes marked flushable among the items to keep out. They do not break down like toilet paper.
How do I stop a toilet from overflowing quickly?
Lift the tank lid, press the flapper closed, and turn the supply valve at the wall clockwise. These steps stop more water entering the bowl.
I live in Lewisville on a septic system. Should I treat a clogged toilet differently?
Yes. The Town warns against flushing wipes, grease and similar items to protect septic systems. If plunging does not work, call a plumber and mention that you have a septic tank so the line is not pushed into the system.
Standards and sources
This guide was written by Clemmons 24/7 Plumbing using general trade practice and the sources named in the local note above. For code questions, the standard to check is the North Carolina State Plumbing Code together with the manufacturer instructions for your product.
Written by Clemmons 24/7 Plumbing. Questions about permits or inspections go to the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division at 336-727-2624, and questions about the water on the utility side of your meter go to your water provider.