How to Unclog a Toilet — 3 DIY + 3 Pro Solutions

Learn how to unclog a toilet no matter how tough the clog — use our 3 simple DIY fixes, or hire Mother Plumbing for 3 more complex plumbing jobs in DFW.

If your plunger isn’t working, try a DIY home solution of baking soda and vinegar, or dish soap and water. 

Need a basic toilet cleanout and drain snaking in Tarrant County? Mother Plumbing also carries Endure® drain cleaner to get the job done fast.

Our experienced plumbers use an electric auger or hydro jetting to deal with complex or serious clogs that back up to the sewer line.

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How to Unclog a Toilet — Your Home Guide

Clogged toilets are a headache, but there’s no reason to be embarrassed — sooner or later, they happen to everyone.

Mother is always here to clear any toilet clog in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with our advanced electric auger, hydro jetting and drain clearing services. But there’s several ways you can DIY that clog before calling us for help.

We’ll give you 3 DIY tips to fix a clogged toilet at home and save some money. Then, we’ll tell you exactly how we’ll get the job done if you need to call us.

5 Fast Facts About Clogged Toilets and How to Prevent Them

It’s better to prevent a clogged toilet than have to deal with one! Here are 5 fast facts about toilet clogs at home, and how you can prevent them from happening.

1. Most toilet clogs happen when you flush too much toilet paper. Other common causes include flushing baby wipes, feminine hygiene products and cotton balls. Only flush as much paper as you need!
2. 1 in 5 Americans clogs their toilet every year. No need to be embarrassed! Over 20% of American households has a clogged toilet every year (or more often). 
3. Hard water can cause toilet clogs. Tarrant County’s hard water can clog your toilet — especially in Fort Worth and Mansfield. Talk to us about home water softeners — ours come with a 6-year warranty, the best in DFW.
4. Clogged toilets spread harmful bacteria. Fix your clogs immediately to avoid the spread of bacteria in your bathroom. Keep the lid closed while your toilet is clogged.
5. Don’t “double flush” if you sense a clog. If your first flush isn’t successful, try plunging your toilet before flushing again. 

How to Unclog a Toilet — 3 DIY Tips

Looking for a quick DIY fix for your clogged toilet? Here are 3 things to try before you call our expert Fort Worth plumbing team:

1. DIY Solution: Always have a plunger handy.

Remove air from your plunger before starting. Keep the plunger vertical and straight, at a 90° angle to the toilet.

Press the plunger over the drain to create a complete seal. Press firmly and use quick, thrusting plunges. Your toilet will often “flush itself” to indicate the clog is removed.

If your toilet doesn’t clear after 20 seconds, call a plumber or try another DIY solution.

2. DIY Solution: Try a baking soda + vinegar DIY solution.

Pour one cup of baking soda into your toilet bowl, then add 2 cups of vinegar. The mixture should begin to fizz. 

Wait 15 to 30 minutes — it can take time for the mixture to clear your clog. If your toilet isn’t close to overflowing, a few cups of boiling water can aid the process.

3. DIY Solution: Dish soap and water can clear some clogs.

If your toilet isn’t close to overflowing, a combination of dish soap and boiling water can address some light clogs.

Pour ½ cup of liquid dish soap into your bowl. Allow the soap to sit for 30 minutes as it reaches the clog. Then, pour at least ½ gallon of boiling water into the bowl — be careful it doesn’t splash onto you.

If none of these DIY solutions work, it’s time to call the pros in to clear your clogged toilet. 

3 Best Solutions to Unclog Toilets in DFW​

Trust SND Plumbing to clear your clogged toilet anywhere in Tarrant County. Our work is backed by a 120-day no clog guarantee and camera footage of every unclog to guarantee the work is done properly.

Here are 3 professional toilet fixes we offer to DFW homeowners, and how they work.

Pro Solution: We carry Endure drain cleaner for toilet clogs.

Endure® drain cleaner uses helpful bacteria (the good kind!) to clear drains. This all-natural product breaks apart organic waste, grease, soap, scum and paper materials. 

Better yet — Endure is a 100% safe, green product that creates a protective film that blocks future clogs. No foul odors, no backups, no problem.

SND Plumbing is the only Fort Worth plumbing company officially licensed to offer Endure drain cleaner to its customers.

We provide a free bottle of Endure® drain cleaner to every DFW homeowner after their professional drain cleaning service.

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Pro Solution: Electric drain augers can clear almost every clog.

Electric drain augers are ideal for older plumbing systems that are prone to buildup and blockages. They efficiently clear clogs in toilets and pipes, even ones extremely deep in the pipe system.

Think of a drain auger as a “plumbing snake on steroids” — the electric motor drives the cable into the clog, providing the extra force needed to break it up. 

Pro Solution: Hydro jetting is a powerful solution for severe clogs.

Consider hydro jetting if your plumbing clog is extremely severe — especially if it affects your connection with the sewer line. 

Hydro jet cleaning uses the power of water — no chemicals, soaps or solutions. Highly pressurized water is propelled through your pipes to clear pesky clogs. This is an excellent solution if you’re tired of experiencing frequent clogs.

Hydro jetting is not an ideal solution for old or fragile pipes, as the pressure may cause further issues.

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