Blocked toilet: causes and how to clear it safely at home

Quick answer: try a plunger first. If the blockage is from paper, build-up or waste collected over time, use a drain powder: dissolve it in water, pour it into the toilet, leave it overnight and flush. If a solid object has fallen in, or the toilet keeps blocking, call a plumber.

Why do toilets block?

• Too much toilet paper in one flush.
• Flushing the wrong things: wet wipes, sanitary pads, nappies, tissues, hair.
• Build-up and waste collecting in the pipe over time.
• Solid objects: toys, bottle caps, toothbrushes.

Option 1: a toilet plunger

1. Wear gloves and make sure the water covers the rubber cup.
2. Seal the cup over the outlet, push down and pull up firmly, 10–15 times.
3. Flush to test. If the water drains normally, you’re done.

Option 2: drain powder

Suitable for blockages from paper, build-up and waste. With SPY Drain Cleaning Powder, follow the instructions on the tub:

1. Dissolve 1 tub in 1 litre of water in a plastic bucket or large basin. Add the powder to the water, and don’t use an aluminium basin.
2. Pour all of the solution into the toilet.
3. Leave for about 12 hours. It’s easiest to pour it in the evening and leave it overnight.
4. Flush with clean water the next morning.

The pack recommends using it about every 2 months where blockages are common, to keep pipes clear.

What not to do

• Don’t mix different cleaning chemicals.
• Don’t use drain powder for solid objects; chemicals won’t dissolve plastic or metal.
• Don’t lean over the toilet while pouring. The solution heats up as it dissolves; avoid contact with skin and eyes.
• Keep children away while you work, and store the tub out of their reach.

When to call a plumber

• You know a solid object has fallen in.
• Both options haven’t worked.
• Several drains block at once (toilet, basin, floor drain), which may mean a shared pipe.
• The toilet keeps blocking every few days.

Preventing blockages

• Flush only toilet paper, not wet wipes, pads or nappies.
• Keep a small bin beside the toilet.
• Use drain powder regularly where blockages are common.

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