Clearing out a clogged toilet may not be your idea of a good time. But you can save a lot of money by fixing it yourself rather than calling a plumber.

In this video, I’ll show you the two basic tools you need to clear a clog from a toilet. They can both be found at your local independent home improvement retailer.

In most cases, you can open a clogged toilet by using a force ball-type plunger, like this one. There are different varieties to this design, but they basically all work the same way.

I would also recommend using a ball-type plunger (like this one) rather than a cup plunger (like this one.) The ball-type offers more pressure for clearing a toilet than the cup type.

The plunger is simple to use. Make sure there is plenty of water in the bowl to help create a seal for the plunger to work. Then pump the plunger a few times to create suction to draw out the clog.

If the plunger does not clear the clogged drain, try a closet auger. This tool has an auger bit, or a spiral blade, that rotates as it works its way through the toilet tank’s trap and into the drain pipe.

One end of the auger is curved and has a plastic or vinyl coating to keep from scratching the finish on the bowl. This will be the end you put directly into the toilet. The other end has a crank. This allows you to rotate the spiral auger head to break up or pull out the object clogging the toilet.

To use the auger, retract the auger into its housing as far as it will go. Then place the curved end of the housing into the toilet bowl, inserting it into the opening as far as it will go. As you’re using it, be careful not to force it. You don’t want to break the porcelain.

By being able to hook an object with the spiral end and then retract the auger back through its housing, you can pull an object out of the toilet bowl, such as a child’s toy, that you don’t want entering your home’s drain system.

If neither of those two tools will clear your clogged toilet, as a last resort, you may have to remove the toilet from the floor, turn it upside down and force the obstruction out from either the top or bottom. Needless to say, this is messy, but it gets the job done. And if you do this, you’ll need to replace the wax ring, which is something you’ll do if you replace the entire toilet. See our video “Replacing a Toilet” for more information.

If you have questions about this or any other home improvement project, be sure to read our list of Frequently Asked Questions for this video. And be sure to print out our Project Instructions, which includes a Tools and Materials checklist, before visiting your local independent home improvement retailer. That’s where you’ll find all the products and helpful advice to complete your project. If you’re not sure where to find your local store, check out our Store Locator.

Good luck with your project and thanks for watching.