Your toilet is clogged and the plunger doesn’t work. Do not panic! There are a number of reasons why a plunger may not work, but there are just as many solutions. Your toilet may be clogged with more than just excess toilet paper. One of his children may want Donatello, or one of the other turtles, to find their way home through his toilet. While the sentiment is warm-hearted, the plastic action figure is problematic. Or it may have been early in the morning, and you hadn’t had your cup of coffee, and you flushed a paper towel down the toilet instead of the trash can. These things happen, it is impossible to prevent them, it is not impossible to remedy them. With these tips, your toilet should be flowing freely in no time.

• Keep your temper no matter what. As strong as toilets are, they are still made of porcelain and can crack or break.
• If the toilet doesn’t work once, don’t try it again. This will cause more water to be pumped into the toilet bowl. The first flush will not cause the toilet to overflow, the second will.
• Lay down some newspaper or old towels. Worse than a clogged toilet is an overflowing one. When water leaks from the toilet, it can seriously damage bathroom floors or the seals on the toilet base. Taking this step will also make cleanup easier at the end.
• Get yourself a pair of rubber gloves. You don’t know what you’ll find and it’s just sanitary.

Now that you’ve prepared the area and calmed your nerves. It’s time to act, there are several things you can do before finding your local plumber.

• The Hot Water Method: Grab a bottle of dish soap and add a few squirts to your toilet. Fill a pot or bucket with hot tap water and hold it at waist height, now pour. The reason for the height is to create additional pressure, which will hopefully remove the clog. DO NOT use boiling water, the sudden increase in temperature could crack the porcelain. Let the soap and hot water sit for a while, hopefully this will soften the clog enough for it to come free. If the water has not receded, try the next method.
• Wire Hanger Method – This will generally work if the obstruction is within the first few inches of the pipe. Untangle the hanger and smooth it out. Wrap the end you are putting in the toilet with a rag and secure it. If you don’t do this, there is a chance that you will scratch the porcelain and could cause unsightly stains.
• Vacuum Method – If you have tried the above methods without success, this may help. You have to use a wet/dry shop vac. DO NOT USE A STANDARD VACUUM. Start by vacuuming the water from the toilet bowl. Next, place the hose, without any fittings, down the drain and add towels around it to create a seal. Turn on the vacuum while pressing down on the towels to reinforce the seal. This should create enough pressure to release the clog.

If you’ve tried these methods, or any of the other methods you may have found online, and you’re still having trouble, then it’s time to find a local plumber. Make sure the local plumber you find is a reputable professional to avoid any damage to your toilet or plumbing.