Toilet: Clogs for little reason.... then seems to drain

Jim Ginas
by Jim Ginas
sporadically, I have one toilet that seems to have a clog where most times it flushes fie and sometimes it just clogs, then later on it's own, it drains, but flush and still have to use a plunger. ** ISSUE is and it never happened before last few months, even plunging doesn't always work. Could there be something clogging the pipes that allows it to clog with very little paper? ** Would a snake or "drum auger" work? if so, how many feet? 25' or 50' ??


  5 answers
  • Ginny Ginny on Apr 16, 2018

    Try some suggestions my plumber gave me:


    • Use smaller size handfuls of paper. Wipe twice for #2 and flush, keeping this up until you feel clean.
    • Paper: use a less soft paper as soft paper expands and can cause clogs.
    • Buy an auger. I bought a 6' size.
    • DO NOT use plungers as plungers can make wax ring break and here comes the flood.
    • Have had DR flood three times because of an ice dam; using a plunger; and a leak in the wax ring.
    • DR furniture has been ruined as well as wall-to-wall carpet so I had carpet taken up and floors refinished.
    • Have your toilet lines professionally cleaned as well as the main water line from inside your home to the outside. This should clear debris, roots, grease and anything else causing problems. It's not cheap but who likes to clean up the mess...I don't.


    Good luck.


    • See 1 previous
    • Jim Ginas Jim Ginas on Apr 16, 2018

      Thank you - all great advice! 6' auger is adequate? I can do that; I was afraid it would have to be like a 100' auger and I'd get it stuck if I tried to do that! (( I'll have to look into getting a reputable plumber. Sounds like a common sense maintenance! same as Furnace and A/C. )) (( I've never had it clog like this, almost like something is obstructing the pipes and ANY amount of matter clogs it. ))

  • Mary Mary on Apr 16, 2018

    You can also use Dawn dishwashing liquid. Pour about 1/8 cup into bowl and allow to sit for minimum of 15 minutes, scrub bowl and flush. Dawn dissolves grease thus helping to release the clog.

    • Jim Ginas Jim Ginas on Apr 16, 2018

      Thank you Mary! If it were that easy, I'd definitely do that. Have to see what plumbers say. Sounds harmless, but then again, I'l check to be safe! (I'm concerned it is roots or something.)

  • Stefanie Stefanie on Apr 16, 2018

    We had this happen in our sons' bathroom--turns out my youngest broke off a piece of an airline headset and flushed it. Most times, all would go down fine, but then, enough would snag on it, and it would clog, but drain slowly. I finally called a plumber, and when he pulled up the toilet, he found the headset! :-)

    • Jim Ginas Jim Ginas on Apr 16, 2018

      that is a concern of mine!! a grandchild flushing something down the toilet that is catching paper and causing an issue. Thank you,

  • Pat Pat on Apr 16, 2018

    We had clogs in our kitchen sink and laundry room and were renting a "snake" often. The rental guy suggested we pour bleach....a half gallon or more every month or so. Took care of our problem. Our son had to call a plumber because his drains were slow.....the plumber found tree roots, which you could have.

  • Ginny Ginny on Apr 16, 2018

    There are augers longer than 6' but that is the longest one I can manage. Sounds like you may have a problem outside such as tree roots or a grease buildup.