Blocked toilet — how to clear it yourself
⚠️ Never use a standard flat plunger on a toilet — use a ball or bell-type plunger designed for toilet waste outlets. Do not flush multiple times if the toilet is already backed up — you will overflow the pan.
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Most likely cause & what to check
Most toilet blockages are caused by too much toilet paper, wet wipes (never flush these), or a foreign object. The blockage is usually in the toilet trap (the curved section at the base of the pan) or in the waste pipe close to the toilet.
If the toilet is full and will not flush, do not flush again. Remove water from the pan with a bucket until it is at a normal level — this makes plunging more effective and reduces the risk of overflow.
Use a ball or bell-type toilet plunger — the rubber cup must extend into the drain opening to create a seal. Push slowly to compress the cup, then pull sharply upward. Repeat 10–15 times. The suction dislodges most blockages.
If plunging fails, use a toilet auger (also called a closet auger — about £15–£30). This is a flexible coiled rod with a protective sleeve to prevent scratching the ceramic. Feed it into the drain, turn the handle to advance the coil into the blockage, and withdraw to clear it.
For blockages caused by foreign objects (toys, sanitary products), you may need to remove the toilet — unscrew the two floor bolts, lift the pan, and retrieve the object. Refit with a new wax ring seal (£5). This is a two-person job due to the weight.
If the toilet is blocked and so is the adjacent bath or sink, the blockage is in the shared soil stack or the inspection chamber outside — not in the toilet itself. Check the outside inspection chamber first.
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Frequently asked questions
What should I never flush down a toilet?
Never flush: wet wipes (even those labelled "flushable"), sanitary products, cotton wool, dental floss, Q-tips, nappies, medication, or cooking fat. These are the primary cause of toilet blockages and contribute to fatbergs in public sewers. Only toilet paper designed to break down in water should be flushed.
When should I call a plumber for a blocked toilet?
Call a plumber if: you cannot clear the blockage with a plunger after 10–15 minutes, the toilet has overflowed, other drains in the house are also backing up (indicating a shared stack blockage), or there is reason to believe a foreign object is lodged in the trap.
Why does my toilet block regularly?
Regular blockages usually indicate: insufficient water volume per flush (older single-flush toilets), a partial blockage that has never been fully cleared, a drain with insufficient fall, or someone is flushing inappropriate items. Check all of these before assuming the toilet itself is faulty.