Regardless of who did the deed, we flush the toilet and the water goes up instead of down. Here's a few quick tips to help the water down the drain so you don't end up with a flood in your bathroom.
1) Grab the old standby: The plunger.
When you think of clogs you probably think of your plunger, so we'll start here. We're sure you know the drill, but lower the plunger at an angle so it fills with water and doesn't trap air. Make sure the plunger is fully sealed over the drain hole. If you find your standard plunger not working well, you might check look for a flange plunge that is likely to fit your drain better. If you're unsuccessful after a few tries, let the clog rest for a bit and try again. Maybe a little gravity will help you with your next attempt.
2) What goes up, must come down.
All plumbing drains work with the force of gravity, and so does your toilet. The water in your toilet bowl has weight which will help put pressure onto the clog. Over time, this pressure will often be enough to clear the clog. If you can, wait it out and see what happens after a fresh flush. Sometimes it takes a few hours (think overnight or longer) - so if you need to fix the clog faster it might not be the option for you. If it's just a regular clog (too much paper) this solution is about as easy as it gets.
3) Bring in the heat.
If waiting it out didn't work, add some hot water. Hot water might be able to give gravity a little help. While it's not guaranteed, many people say that the hot water helps to loosen the clog by breaking through the waste matter. Just a note, if you decide to try this out, you shouldn't use boiling water. If you pour boiling water into a cold china bowl it could cause a crack. No one wants to pay for a new bowl because of a clog!
4) Slick as soap.
A few squirts of soap (you can try hand soap but you might have to grab the dish soap) is a popular method to help move the clog along. Some people have even used a dash of shampoo. The soap might be able to help break down certain wastes a little easier than just water by itself. Just remember to give it a little time before testing out a fresh flush. Spillover is not pleasant clean up duty.
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