Quick answer
If a toilet will not unclog, make sure you are using a flange plunger with water in the bowl and 10 to 15 firm strokes, then try a closet auger, which reaches through the trap without scratching the porcelain. If the tub or shower gurgles when you flush, or every drain is slow, the clog is in the branch or main line. HomeServe puts drain cleaning at $100–$275. Call (888) 217-6781 to reach a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed November 3, 2026· Next review May 2027
When a plunger has not cleared a toilet after a few honest tries, the clog is either wedged in the trap (the curved channel built into the porcelain), something solid that will not break up, or further down the drain than a plunger can reach. Each one has a different next step.
Plunge It the Right Way
- 1Use a flange plunger. A flat cup plunger is for sinks and will not seal in a toilet bowl.
- 2Have water in the bowl. The plunger needs water to push, not air. Add some from a bucket if the bowl is low.
- 3Seal, then push slowly first. The first stroke pushes air out. After that, 10 to 15 firm push-and-pull strokes, keeping the seal.
- 4Stop if the bowl is near the rim. Do not flush to test it. Lift the tank lid and press the flapper down by hand if the bowl is filling.
Next: A Closet Auger
A toilet auger (also called a closet auger) is a short drain snake with a rubber guard that protects the porcelain. Feed it into the bowl, crank it clockwise as it goes into the trap, and pull it back. It breaks up a paper clog and often hooks a solid object such as a toy, a toothbrush or a phone.
What Not to Use
Chemical drain openers sit in the bowl when they do not clear the clog, generate heat that can crack porcelain, and are a hazard to anyone who then plunges or snakes the toilet. Wire coat hangers scratch the bowl.
Talk to a plumber about this
One call reaches a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Signs the Clog Is Past the Toilet
| Sign | What it means |
|---|---|
| Tub or shower drain gurgles or backs up when you flush | Branch drain or main line clog |
| Every toilet and drain in the house is slow | Main sewer line clog |
| Sewage smell from floor drains | Main line or vent problem |
| Toilet clears, then clogs again within days | Partial blockage, roots or a belly in the line |
What a Repair Costs
HomeServe puts drain cleaning at $100 to $275 and a main-line clog at $150 to $500. If the toilet has to be pulled to reach an object in the trap, the job sits within HomeAdvisor's toilet repair range of $150 to $391. See drain cleaning.
When to Call
Call after a flange plunger and an auger have not cleared it, if something solid went down, or if other drains are backing up. (888) 217-6781 connects you to a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP. Follow the short menu, enter your 5-digit ZIP and stay on while it connects; if it does not connect, call once more, because the companies taking calls change minute to minute.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if a plunger won't unclog my toilet?
Use a closet auger, a short drain snake with a rubber guard made for toilets. It breaks up paper clogs and often hooks solid objects in the trap.
Should I use drain cleaner in a clogged toilet?
NoChemical drain openers can sit in the bowl, generate heat that can crack porcelain, and are a hazard to anyone who plunges or snakes the toilet afterward.
How do I know the clog is not in the toilet?
If the tub or shower gurgles or backs up when you flush, or every toilet and drain is slow, the clog is in the branch drain or the main sewer line.
Sources
Methodology: How we source and verify data · Report an error
Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.