Everyone experiences a clogged toilet at some point, and it always seems to happen at the worst possible time. Watching the water rise in the toilet bowl and not go down gives us all a bit of stress as we hope the water doesn’t spill out onto the bathroom floor.
Whether you’re in a highrise condo in Las Vegas or your home in Reno, dealing with a clogged toilet is a common plumbing issue and one we’re very familiar with. But before you call a plumber, there are a few things you can try at home to loosen the clog and get the water flowing again.
How to Plunge a Clogged Toilet
What You’ll Need:
- A flange-style toilet plunger
- Gloves
- Towels and a bucket for spills
How to Plunge a Toilet in 4 Steps:
- Add Water (if Needed): If the last flush drained all water from the toilet bowl, pour in enough water to cover the plunger cup.
- Get a Tight Seal: The flange-style toilet plunger works better than a cup plunger because it helps create a tight seal in the toilet bowl’s curved drain. Insert the plunger into the bowl and angle it to create a tight seal.
- Plunge Steadily: Holding the plunger’s handle and keeping a tight seal, pump up and down for 15–20 seconds, then pull up sharply.
- Flush and Test: If the water drains normally, your bathroom is back in business.
If you live in a Las Vegas highrise or apartment, contact your building supervisor if the clog doesn’t clear after the above steps. Often, buildings have unique plumbing systems with shared lines, and plunging too much can cause additional damage.
How to Fix a Clogged Toilet Without a Plunger
If you don’t have a plunger handy, you can still unclog a toilet. Here are three methods to try:
- Dish Soap and Hot Water: Pour a half-cup of dish soap into the toilet bowl along with a bucket of hot water. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes and then flush.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: Pour one cup of baking soda and two cups of white vinegar into the toilet bowl. Let it fizz for an hour. Add a bucket of warm water and then flush.
- Toilet Auger: Also called a toilet snake, this tool can help you dislodge clogged that are deeper in the toilet.
Toilet Won’t Flush but is not Clogged
In the dry Nevada climate, sometimes a toilet won’t flush even when there’s no visible clog. The hard water in the Las Vegas and Reno areas can cause a host of issues. Here’s how to check for mineral buildup and more problems that might cause your toilet not to flush:
- Worn or Misaligned Flapper Issues: Sometimes the flapper, which controls water releasing from the tank, gets worn or misaligned. If this happens, the flush might not trigger.
- Low Water Level in the Tank: If the water gets too low in the tank, you may need to adjust the float to the correct level.
- Clogged Rim Jets: The tiny holes under the toilet rib, called rim jets, can easily clog with calcium in Las Vegas and Reno homes due to the hard water in these areas. Try cleaning the holes with a brush to remove the calcium buildup.
- Broken Parts: Check inside the tank for a broken chair or loose flush lever. Both issues can cause a toilet not to flush.
- Blocked Vent Stack: In older homes, sometimes the pipe that vents your drain system can get blocked. If you see a visible blockage, try removing it by hand or with pliers. A deeper blockage should be handled by professionals.
Toilet Clogged—When to Call a Plumber
When none of the above DIY clogged toilet solutions work, it’s time to call a plumber, especially if you’re also experiencing the following issues:
- Multiple Drains Backed Up: Slow or backed-up drains in your showers and sinks can often be a sign of a sewer line issue.
- Toilet Keeps Overflowing: If the toilet overflows each time you flush it, this can indicate a deeper clog that needs professional help to dislodge.
- Strange Noises: If other drains gurgle when you flush the toilet, this often means there’s a vent or mainline blockage. Contact a plumber immediately.
- Persistent Clog: If all the DIY tips and tricks haven’t remedied the problem, it’s time to bring in the pros to diagnose the underlying issue. The hard water and chlorine found in Nevada homes can cause the inner workings of a toilet to fail, resulting in recurring clogs. Ask your plumber if a water filtration system will help.
Don’t Let a Clogged Toilet Ruin Your Day
Plumbing issues don’t have to drag you down or take an entire day to fix. If you don’t have the time or expertise to tackle a toilet clog, contact Hawthorne Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We’ve been clearing toilets and restoring peace of mind for families across Reno and Las Vegas for over 15 years. Our licensed plumbers are available 24/7 to handle all your plumbing needs.
Whether you’re in Carson City, Henderson, Incline Village, Sparks, or any of our service areas, local plumbing pros are just a phone call away. Call us at 702-369-8777 (Las Vegas) or 775-857-3333 (Reno) to request a free estimate or schedule plumbing services.
Clogged Toilet FAQs
Typically, toilets clog when too much toilet paper is flushed or when flushing non-flushable items like wipes or sanitary products. Older homes in Reno and Las Vegas often have older plumbing systems and can back up frequently due to narrower pipes.
Look behind the toilet, locate the water supply valve, and turn it off to stop the water flow. Next, try plugging it or use one of the above methods if you don’t have a plunger. If these steps don’t work, call a plumber.
No, as these types of strong chemicals can damage pipes and the toilet’s porcelain. Always use a plunger or an auger. If these don’t work, call a professional plumber.
If there’s no visible clog, a toilet that doesn’t flush could be caused by a variety of issues including clogged rim jets, a broken flush chain, a worn flapper, or other issues. A plumber can quickly diagnose and fix the problem.
