How to do it

Stop flushing; a second flush on a clogged bowl is how floors flood.
Lay old towels around the base and put on rubber gloves.
If the bowl is nearly full, bail some water into a bucket; if it is nearly empty, add water until the cup will be covered.
Fold the flange out of the plunger and fit it into the drain hole so the cup seals all round.
Push down gently the first time to push the air out, then plunge firmly in and out 15 to 20 times, keeping the seal.
Pull the plunger off; if the water drops away, the clog has moved.
Flush once with the lid up and a hand ready on the shutoff valve behind the toilet.
If plunging fails, feed a toilet auger into the bowl, crank it clockwise, and pull it back out slowly.

Common mistakes

Using a flat sink plunger, which cannot seal in a toilet's curved drain.
Pouring chemical drain cleaner into the bowl; it rarely works on toilets and splashes back.
Flushing repeatedly to test it before the water has drained.
Stabbing at the clog with a wire hanger and scratching the porcelain.

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Last reviewed September 28, 2026. First published September 28, 2026.