Nearly 1 in 5 American homeowners deal with a clogged toilet regularly, according to a Google Consumer Surveys study commissioned by Mr. Rooter Plumbing.
What’s Happening Inside That Drain
Your toilet has a built in S curve called the trapway. Waste passes through it, then drops into the drain line running beneath your floor. When something stalls in either of those zones, water backs up.
The Usual Culprits
- Excess toilet paper wadded together
- So called “flushable” wipes (they do not break down)
- Low flow toilets with a weak flush pressure
- Partial blockages deeper in the drain line, not visible from the bowl
Key Takeaway: If your toilet clogs two or more times a month, the problem is the drain line or the toilet itself.
The Right Order of Attack
Step 1: Plunge Correctly
Use a flange plunger, not a flat cup plunger. The flange creates a seal inside the drain opening. Push down slow, pull back hard. Repeat 8 to 10 times. Flush once.
Step 2: Try a Toilet Auger
A toilet auger (also called a closet auger) reaches 3 to 6 feet into the drain line. Feed the cable in, rotate the handle clockwise, and feel for resistance. Once you hit it, crank through it. Retract slowly.
Step 3: Skip the Chemical Drain Cleaners
Products like Drano are caustic. They eat at older pipe joints and do not dissolve solid blockages. They also can create hazardous environments for plumbers to work in and you to live in.
Step 4: Know When to Stop
If water backs up into other drains (the tub, the sink) when you flush, you are past DIY territory. That’s likely a main sewer line blockage.
Key Takeaway: A toilet auger costs around $30 and solves most mid level clogs.
When Missoula Homes Have Extra Risk
Neighborhoods in Missoula like the University District, the Rattlesnake, Linda Vista, and the South Hills, etc. Older homes in these areas often run clay or cast-iron drain lines. These materials are prone to root intrusion from cottonwood and other trees.
Other Missoula plumbing companies like Garden City, Plumb Tech, and Hellgate can snake a line. What they do not always offer is a same day camera inspection to tell you what is going on in that line before charging for repairs.
At Right Now Plumbing and Heating, we do things a bit different.
“Brent was able to solve the drain issues quickly!! It speaks volumes when a plumber is friendly and professional and knows what they are doing! I appreciate your fast service!!”
— Verified Google Review
FAQ
What is the fastest way to unclog a toilet drain without a plunger?
Pour a gallon of hot (not boiling) water into the bowl from waist height. The force and temperature can break up soft clogs.
Why does my toilet keep clogging even after I plunge it?
Repeat clogs usually signal a partial blockage deeper in the drain line or root intrusion. A camera inspection from a licensed plumber is the only reliable way to confirm this.
Are flushable wipes actually safe to flush?
No. They do not break down at the same rate as toilet paper and are a leading cause of drain line buildup according to municipal water utility reports across the U.S.
How do I know if the clog is in the toilet or the sewer line?
If only the toilet backs up, the clog is likely local to that fixture. If flushing the toilet causes backup in the tub or sink, the blockage is in the main sewer line.
Can tree roots cause toilet drain clogs in Missoula?
Yes. Cottonwood and other riparian trees can infiltrate clay or cast-iron sewer lines. A camera inspection confirms root intrusion.
Should I use Drano or Liquid-Plumr on a toilet clog?
No. Chemical drain cleaners are not designed for toilet clogs and can corrode pipe connections over time, plus potentially creating hazardous conditions.
When should I call a plumber instead of fixing a toilet clog myself?
Call a plumber when water backs up into multiple fixtures, when the toilet overflows during flushing, or when the same toilet clogs more than twice in 30 days.
How much does a professional toilet drain cleaning cost in Missoula?
Costs vary based on the depth and cause of the blockage. Right Now Plumbing and Heating offers over the phone pricing. Call (406) 214-8904 for a service.
Written by the owner of Right Now Plumbing and Heating in Missoula, MT.
Citations
- Mr. Rooter Plumbing / Google Consumer Surveys (2019): Nearly 20% of homeowners frequently deal with clogged toilets.
- Kohler Co. survey: 27% of U.S. adults report a toilet clog at least once monthly.
- EPA / USGS (2024–2025 data): Toilets account for nearly 30% of indoor residential water use.
- Right Now Plumbing and Heating Google reviews verified via their official website.