Unblocking a toilet with a plunger

Stop flushing, seal the plunger in the drain, and make the first push gentle.

You will be able to clear a blocked toilet with a plunger without water reaching the floor.

Why it matters

Flushing a blocked toilet again is likely to make it overflow. A toilet plunger, the kind with a soft sleeve (flange) under the cup, seals into the drain; a flat sink plunger does not. With the right tool, many clogs clear in a few minutes.

How to do it

1. Do not flush again. If water is rising toward the rim, turn the shut-off valve behind or below the toilet clockwise until it is hand-tight (some valves need only a quarter turn). Or lift the tank lid and press the flapper down to stop more water coming in.
2. Lay old towels around the base and put on rubber gloves.
3. Use a flange toilet plunger. If the rubber is stiff, run it under hot water to soften it.
4. Check the water level. You need enough water to cover the rubber cup, about half the bowl. Add water with a jug if needed; bail some into a bucket if it is too full.
5. Put the plunger in at an angle so it fills with water, not air. Fit the flange into the drain opening and press the cup flat around it.
6. Make the first push slow and gentle, to push out air without splashing.
7. Then pump firmly up and down several times, keeping the seal. Lift off and repeat if needed.
8. When the water drains, turn the valve back on (counterclockwise) if you closed it, and flush once to test. Keep a hand ready on the flapper in case the water rises.
9. If several rounds do not work, use a toilet auger or call a plumber.
10. Rinse the plunger with clean flush water, let it dry, and wash your hands with soap.

Common mistakes

• Flushing again and again to 'push it through'.
• Using a flat sink plunger, which cannot seal in a toilet.
• Plunging with too little water to cover the cup.
• Ramming the first push, which splashes dirty water.

Sources

1. iFixit: How to Unclog a Toilet
2. iFixit: Shutting off the Water Supply to a Toilet
3. CDC: When and How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home

Sources and numbers last checked October 22, 2026. How we check

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