Blocked toilet — how to clear it yourself

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.