Break out the plunger.
Create suction with the plunger by sealing the bell-shaped rubber end around the opening at the bottom of the bowl. The trick: Don’t let any water penetrate the seal as you plunge down and up.
A tip: If you need a new plunger, choose a model with an extension flange on the rubber end to unclog a toilet; it creates a better seal, and you can get one for as little as $5. If the plunger doesn’t work, you might need to use an auger, available at the hardware store for less than $10, to pull a stubborn clog out of the drain.
Your best bet to unclog a toilet: Prevent clogs in the first place. Don’t flush anything down the toilet that does not belong there. That includes facial tissue, Q-tips and even products labeled “flushable”. Your low-flow toilet is not equipped to act as a garbage disposal. Also a tip is to switch from two-ply to single-ply toilet paper. The less you flush, the fewer visits you may need from a plumber.
Why is your toilet so sensitive? Old toilets flushed five to seven gallons of water every time you used it and could handle more debris. If you have a newer low-flush model they use only 1.6 gallons per flush, and are more easily clogged with paper and “flushable” cleaning products.
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