How To Unclog A Toilet With Poop In It: Easy Methods
A toilet clogged with poop usually clears with a flange plunger. If plunging fails, dish soap and hot water, baking soda and vinegar, or a 3-foot toilet auger will clear most soft and hard clogs in under 30 minutes — without chemical drain cleaners.
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How To Unclog A Toilet With Poop In It?
Plunger first, then dish soap and hot water, then an auger. Soft clogs usually clear in minutes; hard clogs may need the auger — and a plumber if that fails.
Dealing with the clogged toilet, especially with poop in it, is a messy task. However, if you know how to handle it, you can easily manage it.
What Are The Different Types Of Toilet Poop Clogs?
There are two main types of toilet poop clogs.
- Soft poop clogs
These clogs are caused by soft, loose stools that can easily be broken up. They are caused by eating a lot of fiber or taking certain medications. Soft poop clogs can usually be cleared with a plunger or a toilet auger.
- Hard poop clogs
These clogs are caused by hard, dry stools that are difficult to break up. They are often caused by dehydration or eating too much meat and dairy. Hard poop clogs are more difficult to clear. Start with a plunger, then a toilet auger. Do not use chemical drain cleaners in a toilet — they can crack porcelain and damage pipes. If an auger does not clear it, call a plumber.
How To Unclog A Toilet With Poop In It?
There are five easy, quick and efffective ways to unclog a toilet with poop in it.
- Unclog a toilet with poop in it with a plunger
A plunger is the most common tool used to unclog toilets. It works by creating a suction seal around the opening of the toilet bowl and then forcing air pressure down into the trap and drain pipe to dislodge the clog.
To use a plunger, make sure that the cup of the plunger is completely submerged in water, and then push and pull the plunger vigorously.
- Unclog a toilet with poop in it with baking soda and vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar can dissolve clogs caused by grease, soap, and other organic matter.
To use baking soda and vinegar, pour a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes, then flush the toilet.
- Unclog a toilet with poop in it using dish soap and hot water
Dish soap and hot water can also dissolve clogs caused by organic matter. To use dish soap and hot water, pour a cup of dish soap into the toilet bowl, followed by a gallon of hot water. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes, then flush the toilet.
- Unclog a toilet with poop in it with a toilet auger
A toilet auger is a long, flexible tool that can be inserted into the toilet bowl to break up clogs. To use a toilet auger, insert the end into the toilet bowl and crank the handle to feed the cable down the drain pipe.
Once the cable reaches the clog, crank the handle in the opposite direction to break up the clog.
- Using a chemical drain cleaner to unclog a toilet with poop in it
Chemical drain cleaners should be used as a last resort, as they can be dangerous and damage your plumbing.
If you decide to use a chemical drain cleaner, follow the directions on the label carefully.
How To Prevent Toilet Clogs?
There are many things you can do to prevent toilet clogs.
- Only flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet.
- Flushing anything else, such as feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, and paper towels, can cause clogs.
- Use a moderate amount of toilet paper. Too much toilet paper can overwhelm the toilet’s drainage system and cause a clog.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. It helps to keep your stools soft and easy to pass.
- Have your plumbing inspected regularly by a qualified plumber.
- It will help to identify any potential problems with your plumbing before they cause a clog.
What Are The Dangers Of A Clogged Toilet?
A clogged toilet can be more than just an inconvenience. It can also be a health hazard. Here are some of the dangers of a clogged toilet.
- Overflow
A clogged toilet can overflow, flooding your bathroom and potentially causing damage to your home. Overflowing wastewater can also contain harmful bacteria and viruses, posing a health risk.
- Sewer gas
Sewer gas is a mixture of gases that are produced by the decomposition of organic matter in sewage. Sewer gas can contain harmful gases such as methane, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia.
These gases can cause various health problems, including nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. In high concentrations, sewer gas can be fatal.
- Mold and mildew
Clogged toilets can create the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Mold and mildew can cause respiratory problems, allergies, and other health problems.
Safety Tips For Unclogging A Toilet
Here are some safety tips for unclogging a toilet.
- Wear gloves and eye protection. Toilet water and wastewater can contain harmful bacteria and viruses, so wearing gloves and eye protection is important when unclogging a toilet.
- Be careful not to splash yourself with poop or wastewater. If you splash yourself, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water.
- Do not use too much chemical drain cleaner. Chemical drain cleaners can be dangerous to use and can damage your plumbing. If you decide to use a chemical drain cleaner, follow the directions on the label carefully.
- If you have a septic tank, do not use chemical drain cleaners, as they can damage the tank.
- Be careful when using a toilet auger. Toilet augers can be sharp, so be careful not to cut yourself.
- Ventilate the area. If you use a chemical drain cleaner, ventilate the area to prevent yourself from inhaling the fumes.
Additional Tips
- If you have a clogged toilet, it is best to clear it as soon as possible. The longer the clog sits, the more difficult it will be to clear.
- If you are unable to clear the clog yourself, call a plumber. Plumbers have the tools and expertise to clear clogs safely and effectively.
Plumber’s field tip: water level makes or breaks plunging. Too little water and the plunger can’t seal — add a bucket of water until it covers the cup. Too much and you’ll splash yourself. And use hot tap water, never a full-boiling kettle: boiling water can crack a cold porcelain bowl and melt the wax ring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you unclog a toilet with poop in it?
Start with a flange plunger: make sure the cup is completely submerged and plunge vigorously 10 to 15 times. If that fails, pour in 1 cup of dish soap plus a gallon of hot water and wait 30 minutes, or use a toilet auger to break up the clog. Never use Drano or caustic drain cleaner in a toilet.
What is the difference between a soft and a hard poop clog?
Soft clogs are caused by soft, loose stools and break up easily, usually clearing with a plunger or a toilet auger. Hard clogs are caused by hard, dry stools, often from dehydration, and are more difficult to clear: start with a plunger, then a toilet auger, and call a plumber if the auger does not clear it.
Can I use Drano or a chemical drain cleaner in a clogged toilet?
No. Chemical drain cleaners can crack porcelain, damage pipes, and are dangerous if the caustic water is later plunged or augered. Use mechanical methods instead: a flange plunger, dish soap and hot water, baking soda and vinegar, or a toilet auger.
How long do dish soap and hot water take to unclog a toilet?
Pour 1 cup of dish soap into the bowl followed by a gallon of hot water, and let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes before flushing. The soap lubricates the clog while the hot water helps dissolve the organic matter.
How do I prevent toilet clogs in the future?
Flush only toilet paper and human waste; never flush wipes, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products. Use a moderate amount of toilet paper, drink plenty of fluids to keep stools soft, and have your plumbing inspected regularly by a qualified plumber.
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Alex Miller is a writer and researcher at ToiletsAdviser, where he spends his days doing the homework most of us dread: comparing flush systems, decoding spec sheets, and reading hundreds of owner reviews so you don’t have to. He covers toilet reviews, buying guides, and hands-on how-to content, with a soft spot for the unglamorous details — rough-in dimensions, MaP flush scores, glaze quality — that decide whether a toilet is a joy or a headache five years from now. His rule is simple: if he wouldn’t recommend it to a friend, it doesn’t get recommended here.
