by Wayne Ramsey

Created on: October 11, 2010

Anyone that has ever had a clogged toilet knows just how difficult it can be to remove a really difficult clog.  This is especially true with the more modern toilets that use less water to do the job.  As toilets become less and less dependent upon large amounts of water to do the job the capacity per load has diminished as well.  This of course means far more clogs that are much more difficult to remove than they used to be.  Unfortunately for a household with young children unclogging toilets becomes quite a regular process and while most toilet clogs can be easy to remedy some require a little extra effort. 

BLOOD, SWEAT, and STINK
The easiest and probably most popular method of clearing out any clog is one of the more traditional means of doing so.  If a plunger is available in the house it is a good idea to take advantage of.  The reason why it is the most popular method of clearing a toilet is simply because it is effective, especially when the clog is created by normal items that are meant to go inside of the toilet.

Before starting with a plunger it is important to understand that the toilet SHOULD NOT be flushed more than it has already been flushed.  If the toilet is already filled with water it is probably going to overflow with the plunger motion creating an even bigger mess.  It is ideal to place old rags or towels down around the toilet in order to catch any spilling that may occur.  It is also advisable to wear a face mask and gloves anytime a toilet is being cleaned.  This will keep any unwanted bacteria from reaching the mouth and eyes potentially causing sickness or irritation. 

When using a plunger, attempt to place the bell of the plunger as close to covering the hole of the toilet as possible.  Once a firm placement is found press down firmly on the plunger 2-3 times in a row and wait for movement.  If the water level doesn't go down try pushing the plunger a few more times.  If this still doesn't work, keep up the process until the water finally goes down.  Depending upon the level of clogging this could take a little before the clog breaks apart.  If it doesn't break apart after a period of time then try one of the other methods listed here to remedy the problem. 

WIRE TREATMENT
One of the more common methods of unclogging a toilet when a plunger is ineffective or when a plunger isn't unavailable is to utilize a wire hanger or other

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