Is your toilet clogged with toilet paper? There is nothing more anxiety-inducing than flushing the toilet and watching the water level rise in the bowl. A toilet blocked with paper is one of the most common kinds of toilet clogs. It’s easy to accidentally block the toilet by using too much toilet paper in a single sitting. It can get jammed in the S-bend leading to a clog. If you use expensive, three or four-ply toilet paper it’s more likely that this will clog the toilet as it doesn’t disintegrate as easily as thinner brands. Thankfully, a toilet that’s blocked with toilet paper is one of the quickest and simplest types of clogs to fix without having to hire a plumber.
How to turn off a the water supply to your toilet
The first thing you should do is turn off the water supply to the toilet using the shutoff valve. This step is particularly important if the water level in the bowl is continuing to rise. In most cases you can locate the shut-off valve by following the metal threaded hose that is connected to the tank. The valve is normally near the wall. If it’s not, check behind the cistern. Once you have located the valve turn it clockwise.
In the above image you can see the toilet shut-off valve is located right next to the wall. Image credit: Amazon.
Remove belongings from the area and put on protective gear
Unclogging a toilet as a messy and unhygienic job so it’s important to prepare yourself by putting on protective wear such as rubber gloves and glasses if possible. Remove any belongings that are located near the toilet that you don’t want to get damaged, such as the bathmat or pot plants. Get some old towels and a bucket ready.
When unblocking a toilet clogged with toilet paper, make sure you put on protective clothing such as rubber gloves.
How to unclog a toilet with a plunger
The best method to remove a toilet paper clog from a toilet is using a plunger. There are two main types of plungers - a cup plunger and a flange plunger. A toilet clog requires the latter as it has an addition lip inside the cup that assist in generating a tight seal around the drain opening. If the toilet is very full, remove some of the excess water using the bucket. Don’t remove all of the water as a little bit of water will increase the pressure which is used to dislodge the clog.
Insert the plunger into the toilet and cover the entire drain opening. A tight seal is essential for unclogging a blocked toilet. Keeping the plunger vertical, start plunging up and down using forceful movements. This will create pressure, pushing and pulling the clog until it breaks up. Keep going until the clog is removed. This can take up to 10 minutes, sometimes more so be persistent.
How to unclog a toilet without a plunger
Because toilet paper blockages are considered minor in nature, you can probably clear a toilet paper blockage without a plunger. Some of the techniques include pouring hot water and soap into the bowl to speed up the disintegration process. You could also use an unfurled metal coat hanger. We have outlined these techniques in greater detail here.
How to prevent toilet clogs caused by toilet paper
Switching to a thinner, low-ply paper will reduce the likelihood of a toilet paper clog because it breaks down easily and quickly when it comes in contact with water
Reduce the amount of toilet paper you use in a single sitting
If you do need to use a lot of toilet paper, try flushing more than once. The toilet only blocks if a single flush is not enough to move the toilet paper through the system
