The Uncommon Reason Your Toilet Is Clogged (& How To Fix It)

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Watching the waste remain in the bowl and noticing the water draining painfully slowly, you might think that your toilet is prone to clogs. However, there might be another uncommon reason why it feels clogged: A blocked siphon jet usually leads to less-than-satisfactory flushes. Eddie Linares, a plumbing expert from Frontdoor, shared exclusively with House Digest how this opening facilitates flushing, "Each time you flush a toilet, the water from the tank is forced through a hole — either by gravity or pressure assisted — to help clear waste from the bowl. The siphon jet is usually located inside the base of the toilet bowl."

That said, your toilet's rim holes might also be to blame in certain cases. When prompted to list the reasons these parts get jammed, Linares explains, "If there is calcium buildup in the bowl due to water's high mineral content, over time the siphon jet and the rim holes can become partially or completely clogged. This will result in the toilet not flushing properly." 

Limescale can lead to similar results, too. Besides clogging your toilet, the weak water flow will invite bacteria over and compromise your porcelain throne's hygiene. The good news is, you can deal with it using household ingredients like distilled white vinegar since it's ideal for cleaning. A stubborn buildup will require some elbow grease as well, but more often than not, you can take care of clogged siphon jets and rim holes yourself. Don your cleaning gloves and safety goggles to get started.

To clean your toilet's clogged siphon jet, start "by turning the water off to the toilet and removing all the water from the bowl," directs Eddie Linares in his House Digest exclusive. You'll generally find the shut-off valve behind your toilet. Turn it off and press down on the flush lever to empty the tank. Then, fill a bucket about 60% through and dump the water in the bowl to clear it. Bonus advantage: it'll also prompt any standing waste to flow out. 

"Next, pour in either white vinegar or a product such as CLR, and make sure to cover the siphon jet hole completely," says Linares. CLR's Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover is a good option. "This will break up and soften any calcium buildup, and the longer you let it sit and penetrate, for example overnight, the more effective this method will be," recommends Linares. So, ensure you have access to a second toilet before dumping in the cleaners.

In case you're dealing with years worth of buildup, Linares suggests, "Use a wire brush or similar tool to agitate the area inside the hole and clear away as much of the visible buildup as possible; you can even use a small flathead screwdriver to very carefully chisel away some of the tougher buildup." This manual intervention will allow the siphon hole to breathe once again and perform its job more effectively. Finally, "turn the water back on to the toilet and flush it several times to completely clear the debris from the siphon jet." In case you still face issues, examine the bowl's rim holes.

Although following the steps listed above should take care of your clogged toilet, you might still face issues. "If after cleaning the siphon jet you still notice that your toilet has a lazy flush you may also have to clean the rim holes, which are located on the underside of the toilet bowl's rim," proposes Linares in his exclusive chat with House Digest. Get a hand mirror so you don't have to crane your neck needlessly. Position it under the bowl's rim and check whether you see deposits over the openings. This is indicative of hard water being the cause of your toilet's problems.

So, what do you do in such circumstances? Linares says, "The easiest way to clean this area is by using a straightened piece of a metal coat hanger. Carefully go around the entire underside of the rim with the hanger and make sure all the holes are clear." Keep your mirror handy to ensure you get all the openings. Moreover, be gentle since you don't want to lodge the buildup deeper into the holes. Rinse off the gunk and flush your toilet a few times to push out all the deposits accumulated inside. However, "If after performing these tasks your toilet still is not flushing properly, it may be time to call a plumber to assist to unclog your toilet, or even replace it," concludes Linares.