What you might notice
- The water level rises high in the bowl after flushing
- The toilet drains slowly or only partly
- Gurgling or bubbling in the bowl
- Water comes up in the tub or shower when you flush (this points to the main line)
Likely causes
- Too much toilet paper at once
- Wipes, including ones labeled "flushable", paper towels or feminine products
- A small object such as a toy, cap or toothbrush
- A clog or tree roots in the main sewer line, if more than one drain is affected
Safe things to try first
- Do not flush again. If the bowl is high, take the lid off the tank and lift the flapper closed, or turn the supply valve behind the toilet clockwise to shut off the water.
- Use a flange plunger (the kind with a soft extension at the bottom). Seat it fully over the hole and give 10 to 15 firm push-pull strokes.
- If the bowl is nearly empty, add some water so the plunger cup is covered.
- A toilet auger (closet auger) can reach a few feet past the bowl. Use one made for toilets so you do not scratch the porcelain.
- Put old towels around the base in case it overflows.
If water starts rising or you see sewage, stop and call. Don’t take apart anything you’re not comfortable putting back together.
When to call a pro
- The plunger and toilet auger did not clear it
- Water shows up in the tub, shower or floor drain when you flush
- Several toilets or drains are slow at the same time
- The toilet clogs often even with normal use
- Something hard, like a toy, went down and will not come back up
What Rooter Champion does
We clear the toilet and the line behind it with the right size cable. Our $55 drain cleaning includes a free camera inspection, so if the clog is past the toilet we can show you on the screen what is in the pipe. If the camera shows the main sewer line is the real problem, you will see the footage and we will walk you through the options.
If the toilet clogs and the tub or shower fills too, read main sewer line clogs. Bubbling while other drains run is covered in gurgling drains. Local to us? See drain service in La Habra.
Our $55 drain cleaning includes a free camera inspection, so you can see the problem for yourself. Rooter Champion is family-owned, licensed and insured (CA Lic. #1063585).
Common questions
Should I keep flushing to push the clog through?
No. Each flush adds more water to a bowl that cannot drain, and that is how toilets overflow. Stop flushing and plunge instead.
Are flushable wipes safe for my pipes?
We see wipes in a lot of clogged lines. Even wipes labeled "flushable" do not break down the way toilet paper does, so they can snag and build up in the pipe. Throw them in the trash.
Why does my bathtub fill up when I flush the toilet?
That usually means the main sewer line is partly blocked, so water from the toilet backs up into the lowest drain nearby. Stop using water and call us; this is not a toilet-only clog.
What customers say
5.0 stars from 52 Google reviews on our La Habra profile.
“My toilet was backed up. David arrived on time, was polite and very professional. He explained everything he was doing and showed me the work after. Most affordable plumbing service I found. Highly recommend!”
“Called the day before for the $55 drain unclogging special. Came out within the 1 hr window, checked and snaked the drains from the shower vent. Thorough and very affordable. Would recommend. Thanks!”
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Local, family-owned, based in La Habra
Rooter Champion is a family-owned drain and sewer company at 1401 S Beach Blvd Unit A, La Habra, CA 90631. We serve homes and businesses in La Habra, Fullerton, La Mirada, Whittier and surrounding cities, including Brea, Placentia, Anaheim and Buena Park.
Open 7 days, 8am–5pm. We respond within 1 hour. Licensed & insured, CA Lic. #1063585.