How to fix a blocked loo

Not the most glamorous of jobs but definitely worth trying yourself before having to call in a plumber. Unblock your loo after reading this guide.

Level of difficulty

Level 2: Intermediate

What you need

• Safety goggles
• Gloves
• Old newspapers
• Bucket
• Toilet drain cleaners
• Plunger
• Plumbing auger

The steps to follow

1. Lay some old newspapers around the toilet bowl where you’ll be unclogging.
2. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you start unclogging the toilet.
3. If the toilet is close to overflowing, take out some of the water with a bucket.
4. You can first try using toilet drain cleaners.
5. Pour about half a bottle of the toilet drain cleaner, or follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and wait for about 30 minutes before you flush the toilet.
6. If the toilet is still blocked, you'll probably have to manually unclog it with a plunger.
7. Hold the stick of the plunger and lower it over the toilet hole.
8. Tilt and immerse the plunger into the toilet bowl at an angle to avoid trapping air in the suction cup.
9. Push down firmly on the plunger and pull up again. Make sure that the suction cup is still over the toilet hole while you pump. This action creates pressure which should loosen the clog.
10. Repeat this step for at least 5 times or until the toilet is unclogged.
11. If the problem persists, your last option will be to use a plumbing auger or plumber's snake.
12. Insert the end of the auger into the toilet hole.
13. Gently push it down into the toilet hole to clear the obstruction.
14. Flush the toilet to clear the clog.

Note:
If none of the methods above work, call a qualified plumber to solve the problem.