What Should You Do If Your Toilet Trap Becomes Clogged

Clogged toilets are a common bathroom problem with an easy fix once you identify if the obstruction is in the toilet trap or the drainpipe. To determine if the clog is in the drain, check if your bathroom sink and tub are draining adequately. Generally, the wastewater from your toilet, sink, and tub moves out into the same main drain pipe. So if they're draining without any issues, the culprit behind your clogged toilet is probably the toilet trap — which can be unclogged using a toilet plunger or auger. In a pinch, you can even use dish soap, baking soda, and vinegar to clear the clog.

The toilet trap is a curved, S-shaped pipe at the back of the toilet. It prevents foul smells from entering the bathroom and moves the wastewater from the base of your toilet bowl to the main drainpipe. Being a little difficult to clean, it's susceptible to a buildup if not maintained. Since no one wants to stay with a non-functional toilet for long, it's time to roll up your sleeves and don your rubber gloves to unclog your toilet trap.

Your toilet trap can get clogged if you dispose of things like feminine hygiene products, hair, ear swabs, or even so-called flushable wipes in your toilet. Moreover, if you've got kids in the house, they might accidentally flush their toys or crayons down the toilet, blocking the toilet trap. Fortunately, you can unclog your toilet using a rubber toilet plunger with an extendable flange on its end. 

To begin, ensure there's enough water in the toilet bowl to occupy the cup of the plunger and seal around it. Now, place your plunger over the toilet bowl to build a seal before you begin plunging it in and out of the bowl to clear the clog. Be gentle on your first plunging attempt to dispel the air out of the plunger to prevent blowing dirty water all over your bathroom. If your toilet doesn't get unclogged after 15 to 20 attempts, it might be necessary to bring out the big guns and use a toilet auger.

A toilet auger is similar to a drain snake. Its long tube lets you insert a flexible cable into the toilet bowl without damaging it. To unclog your toilet trap using an auger, pull the handle so that only the cable is visible at the end then feed it into the clogged toilet bowl. Now, push it into the trap until it can go no further or you feel resistance. Rotate the auger clockwise to clear out the obstruction. Repeat this process three to four times to clear out the clog completely.

Combine dish soap and water to lubricate the trap if your toilet is still not draining adequately. Add ½ cup dish soap to your toilet bowl and let it settle for 10 minutes before flushing it. If that doesn't work, you can add some hot water to create pressure. You can even use baking soda and vinegar to unclog your toilet trap. Fill your toilet bowl halfway with water (add or remove water as needed to prevent the mixture from running down the sides of the toilet) and add 1 cup of baking soda. Now, slowly add 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar. Let the mixture sit for 20 minutes, and then flush the toilet to see if your trap is unclogged. If none of these solutions work then it's best to call a professional.