Most blocked toilets can be cleared by yourself using a plunger, some washing-up liquid, and hot (but not boiling) water. The most important first step: do not flush again, or the bowl will overflow.
Here you will find what to do immediately, which method works in which situation, what you should avoid, and when you need to call a drain cleaning company.
Professionally reviewed by Denis Hadzic, bazuba ViennaStatus: 28 September 2026 · according to the Federal Environment Agency, Consumer Advice Centre and sewerage companies
In short
Do not flush again; instead, use the plunger. If that does not help, try washing-up liquid with hot water and the toilet drain snake. It is best to avoid chemical drain cleaners.
FirstDo not flushotherwise the bowl may overflow. If the water level rises, turn off the angle valve on the cistern.What you should do immediately
Most effective methodPlungerIdeally use one with a flange for toilets, and pump vigorously several timesAll methods
Preferably notChemicalsDrain cleaners can be corrosive, damage pipes and seals, and pollute wastewaterWhy not
Are several drains affected? If the shower or washbasin is also draining slowly or making gurgling noises, the blockage is deeper in the pipe. In this case, a professional is needed; in rented accommodation, inform your landlord or property management first. When a professional is required
Status: 28 September 2026, based on information from the Consumer Advice Centre, Federal Environment Agency, and recommendations from sewerage companies. Professionally reviewed by Denis Hadzic (bazuba Vienna). bazuba is not a pipe cleaning service.
Act immediately: the first two minutes
Do not flush again. Every additional flush fills the bowl until it overflows.
If the water still rises: turn off the small angle valve on the wall behind or below the cistern. In an emergency, remove the cistern lid and hold up the float to stop more water entering.
Protect the floor: Place towels or old newspapers around the toilet and put on rubber gloves.
Scoop out water if the bowl is full to the brim, using an old cup into a bucket, until it is about half full. Otherwise, it may spill over when using the plunger.
Briefly consider what is inside. If a solid object has fallen in, such as a toilet freshener, toy, or mobile phone, do not push it further down, but remove it with gloves.
Unblocking the toilet: the methods in order
Start with the plunger, as it is most often effective. The other methods are listed by effort required. Only flush again when the water in the bowl visibly drains away, and then use the small flush button.
Plunger
The plunger, also known as a "Pümpel" or "Plömpel", resolves most blockages. For toilets, use one with a flange that fits into the drain. Position it so that it completely covers the drain and is submerged in water, then push and pull vigorously about 20 to 30 times without lifting it. If the water drains afterwards, flush carefully once.
Washing-up liquid and hot water
If there is too much paper or faeces, a generous squirt of washing-up liquid often helps; let it work for about fifteen minutes. Then pour a bucket of hot, but not boiling, water from a slight height. Allow freshly boiled water to cool for a few minutes: boiling water can damage the ceramic and its coating.
PET bottle as a substitute
No plunger at home? Cut the bottom off an empty 1.5-litre PET bottle, leave the cap on, and press the open end into the drain. Short, forceful thrusts create a similar pressure to a plunger.
Toilet drain snake
If the blockage is deeper, a drain snake from a DIY store can help. There are models with protective sleeves for toilets to prevent scratching the ceramic. Slowly insert the snake into the drain while turning it, until you feel resistance, and loosen the blockage with twisting movements.
Baking powder or bicarbonate of soda with vinegar
A home remedy from many tips: add two packets of baking powder or bicarbonate of soda, followed by a cup of vinegar, let it work, then pour in hot water. The fizzing looks impressive, but vinegar and bicarbonate neutralise each other and do little against a stubborn blockage. Worth a try for minor build-up, otherwise it is better to use a plunger.
Myths that do not help
Cola: At best, it dissolves some limescale, but it does not help with paper or wet wipes in the pipe.
Toilet brush as a plunger: Poking back and forth may sometimes push a loose blockage through, but not a solid one, and it splashes.
Repeated flushing: More water just pushes more water against the blockage and causes the bowl to overflow.
Why you should avoid chemical drain cleaners
The Environment Agency and consumer advice centres advise against chemical drain cleaners and recommend a plunger or drain snake. Most drain cleaners form a hot, highly caustic lye when mixed with water. When pouring, they can splash and cause burns to skin and eyes, and in the standing water of a blocked toilet, they are barely effective as they become diluted. They attack seals and older pipes and pollute wastewater. Never mix them with other cleaners, such as those containing chlorine, as this can produce toxic gases. If any gets into your eyes: rinse immediately with plenty of water and call the poison emergency number.
If you have already used a cleaner and then call a professional, be sure to mention it: the lye will still be in the bowl and pipe.
The most common causes
Cause
How you notice it
What helps
Too much toilet paper
Suddenly after flushing, water drains slowly
Plunger, washing-up liquid and hot water
Wet wipes, sanitary products, kitchen rollWet wipes sold as 'flushable'
Persistent, keeps coming back
Plunger or drain snake, afterwards only dispose of in the bin
Solid objectToilet freshener, toy, toothbrush
Directly after something has fallen in
Remove it, do not push it down; otherwise, contact a professional
Cat litter, food waste, fatCat litter hardens like concrete in the pipe
Gradual, the pipe becomes narrower
Drain snake, often a professional is needed; litter and fat belong in general waste
Flush too weak
Barely enough water with every large flush, often after setting a water-saving flush
Have the flush volume increased again at the cistern
Urine scale and limescale
Water drains increasingly poorly over weeks
Descale regularly, for heavy deposits contact a professional
Problem in the pipework
Shower or washbasin also affected, gurgling sounds
Professional service, inform your landlord if in a rented flat
Is your toilet already showing its age?We renovate toilets and guest toilets without demolition, usually within a few days. Free inspection, followed by a fixed price.
When a professional is needed and how to avoid being overcharged
Call a drain cleaning or plumbing company if the toilet remains blocked after using a plunger and drain snake, if a solid object is stuck, if several drains are affected at the same time, or if water is backing up from other drains. If chemical cleaner is already in the bowl, a professional is also the safer choice.
How to protect yourself from overpriced emergency services
Look for a local company, do not call the first advert with a nationwide number. Reputable companies provide a business address, not just a mobile number.
Ask for the price of call-out, labour, and surcharges over the phone and get confirmation. If no price information is given, it is not a good choice.
Do not sign anything on site that you do not understand, and do not make large cash payments. Request an invoice with labour and materials listed.
Night and weekend surcharges are common, but according to consumer advice centres, they should only apply to labour, not the entire bill. If it is not overflowing, an appointment on the next working day is often sufficient.
Do not pay for a blockage that has not been cleared, and do not be pressured into expensive techniques such as camera inspection or high-pressure cleaning if they are not necessary.
Help with excessive bills: in Germany, contact the consumer advice centre; in Austria, the Chamber of Labour.
Who pays in a rented flat?
In principle, whoever caused the blockage pays. For example, if you flushed wet wipes or cat litter, you bear the costs. If it is due to old or narrowed pipes, the landlord is usually responsible. In Germany, the landlord must prove that you caused the blockage. In Austria, tenants must maintain sanitary facilities so that others are not disadvantaged and must report major damage to the property immediately. In both countries: inform the landlord or property management early, especially if several drains are affected.
Claiming drain cleaning as a tax deduction
In Germany, you can deduct drain cleaning as a tradesperson service from your taxes: 20 percent of labour, machinery, and travel costs. The tax saving is limited to €1,200 per year together with other tradesperson services. You must have an invoice showing the labour portion and pay by bank transfer; cash payments are not recognised by the tax office. From 2027, a reduction to 15 percent is planned, but it has not yet been decided. Find out more in the guide Deduct bathroom renovation from tax.
How to keep the toilet clear
Only toilet paper in the bowl. Wet wipes, sanitary towels, tampons, cotton buds, kitchen roll, and cat litter belong in the bin, even if the packaging says „flushable“.
Place a small bin with a lid in the bathroom. Without one, people are more likely to flush things down the toilet.
If using a lot of paper, flush twice instead of all at once.
Regularly remove urine scale and limescale to prevent the drain from narrowing, ideally with citric acid rather than harsh acid cleaners.
Toilets with a lifting station (e.g. in the basement or with a retrofitted WC): Here, wet wipes and hygiene products quickly block the cutting mechanism. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not dispose of food or fat residues via the toilet.
When the toilet itself is the problem
If an old toilet keeps getting blocked, it is sometimes due to the shape of the bowl or a weak flush. In such cases, replacement is worthwhile. We renovate toilets and guest toilets without demolition: the tiles are coated instead of being removed, and the ceramic and cistern can be replaced on request. More about toilet renovation.
Do not flush again. If the water level rises, turn off the angle valve on the cistern and then use the plunger. If that does not help, try washing-up liquid with hot, not boiling, water, and then a toilet drain snake.
With an empty PET bottle with the bottom cut off as a substitute for a plunger. If there is too much paper, a squirt of washing-up liquid followed by a bucket of hot, but not boiling, water often helps.
Most reliably, washing-up liquid with hot water, as it softens paper and faeces. Bicarbonate of soda or baking powder with vinegar will fizz, but does little against a solid blockage.
Better not. Boiling water can damage the ceramic and its coating. Hot water from the tap or water that has cooled for a few minutes after boiling is sufficient.
Hardly, in standing water in a blocked toilet. These agents are highly caustic, attack seals and pipes, and pollute wastewater. Never mix with other cleaners.
If the plunger and drain snake do not help, an object is stuck, several drains are affected at once, or water backs up from other drains. Ask about the price beforehand and do not pay in cash.
Usually, the person who caused the blockage, for example by using wet wipes. If it is due to old pipes, the landlord is usually responsible, both in Germany and Austria. Inform them as soon as possible.
No. They contain tear-resistant fibres, hardly break down in the pipe, and block household pipes and sewer pumps. Both Berliner Wasserbetriebe and Wien Kanal say the same: even „flushable“ wet wipes belong in the residual waste.
In Germany, yes: 20 percent of labour, machinery, and travel costs as a tradesperson service, if you pay by bank transfer and the labour portion is itemised on the invoice. Materials do not count.
More about bathrooms
Toilet renovation
New toilet and guest toilet, without demolition and usually within a few days.
„On the recommendation of a friend, we got in touch with bazuba Rostock for our bathroom renovation. Since it’s a rental apartment, there were quite a few things to consider with the landlord/owner’s approval, but we were able to implement many individual wishes at our own expense. The initial contact was very pleasant, and first, an assessment was made, and of course, the initial ideas and wishes for the project were recorded. The basic task was to transform the over 20-year-old tiled bathroom with an old bathtub into a modern seamless bathroom with a walk-in rain shower. The company’s showroom had quite a few displays, where we could get our first personal impressions. Then we put together the rest from the catalogs, and we also relied on the advice and recommendations of the boss there, who contributed some great ideas. Then we received an offer with a 3D visualization of the finished bathroom. This allowed us to work very well together with the owner and bazuba on the details and arrive at a final result. The correspondence between bazuba and the owner also went very smoothly, and we were very well informed about delivery times, construction times, and the entire process up to the finished bathroom. We helped set up the construction site by covering the floor and cabinets, and the company’s employees were very friendly and informative about the work steps. We hardly had to ask anything because every morning we were informed about what would happen that day until quitting time. The announced construction time was even undercut by 2 days because everything really fit together, and the trades worked hand in hand. The handover and the finished result, including explanations of all the components, care instructions, and warranties, worked wonderfully and were presented to us very transparently. All in all, we are very satisfied with the result, and for the small space available, it almost feels like being in a good hotel when you step into the shower in the morning 😉 I can definitely recommend bazuba Rostock and am happy to show some before-and-after pictures. It’s not decorated or furnished yet, but it’s about the raw result."
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Marco S.
Rostock ·
Google
“
„Complete renovation of bathroom and WC — After weeks of searching online for a company that could take on our project (complete renovation of bathroom and WC), we came across bazuba. Although all customer reviews pointed to an outstanding company, we still felt the need to visit the company location in Guntramsdorf in person first. But from that moment on, it was clear to us that only this company was suitable for our project. The exceptionally warm, competent, polite, friendly, and patient team immediately convinced us. From then on, everything went very quickly. We arranged an inspection appointment with Mr. Weninger. The inspection, consultation, measuring, and addressing special requests all took place in a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The gentleman was very patient and really took a lot of time for us, only leaving once even the smallest detail was clarified. After the very detailed offer and placing the order, the renovation work began punctually on the agreed date. From here on, I have to keep it short, otherwise I would need two more pages. ALL involved, whether subcontractors or the truly outstanding bazuba specialists, carried out their tasks so competently, punctually, cleanly, almost dust-free, quickly, friendly, politely, courteously, professionally, precisely, and expertly that words almost fail me. The continuous support and (after)care of my project are also worth highlighting. After completing the very extensive work, I now have two real gems (bathroom and WC), and I find myself spending much more time there than really necessary. The conclusion of a highly satisfied and enthusiastic customer: the best 10-star company I have ever dealt with. I have recommended and will always recommend bazuba."
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werner.lissa
Guntramsdorf ·
Herold
“
„Everything just fits perfectly! :o) We had bazuba renovate our roughly 50-year-old bathroom and the equally old toilet, and also modernize the shower in the second bathroom. From the very first (phone) contact, we had a good feeling. Bathroom planner Raffael came to our home and went through the various steps with us, giving us good advice and showing a lot of patience. We were also able to talk openly about the price, and in the end he gave us an offer we were very happy with. We had also gotten quotes from competitors, which were noticeably more expensive—we’re talking +50% or more. The implementation then went perfectly. First came the demolition team, then the electricians, the plasterers/floor layers, and finally the installation team. Overall, the work took almost three weeks, but that was agreed on beforehand and so was fine. All the workers always arrived as scheduled, were very friendly, explained a lot to us, and did a great job. We were also very grateful that they pointed out some possible/necessary improvements. Our spontaneous change requests were welcomed and carried out. At the same time, planner Raffael and project manager Anel were always reachable and responded quickly to our questions. The result speaks for itself: from old-fashioned, dark rooms with very worn installations, we now have bright, modern wet rooms that you enjoy entering again. The planning concept was implemented 100% in reality and at what we think is a really fair price. No trouble with the craftsmen at all—in fact, it was a pleasure, and we can warmly recommend the entire bazuba team."
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HG
Hans G.
Guntramsdorf ·
Google
“
„Due to water damage in 2023 and subsequent repair work by a specialist company, we were then looking for a company to get our bathroom back in shape. This turned out to be not so easy; local companies either declined due to lack of time or didn’t show up despite appointments. Through internet research, we came across bazuba in Karlsruhe. We quickly had a first appointment with Mr. Glutsch. He arrived on time at our place, listened to our ideas about remodeling the bathroom, and shared his professional knowledge and comments. He took measurements, made notes, and promised to prepare an offer, which arrived in the shortest time. Due to several work appointments with bazuba, he already told us in advance that the work would be delayed and we should expect a date in March/April. But that didn’t matter to us in the end, since thanks to the preliminary work of the renovation company, we could still use our 30-year-old bathroom. When choosing the ceramics and the walk-in shower, we were with Mr. Glutsch at C.Ufer in KA (top advice!). In April, the work started on our partially renovated bathroom. After about 2 weeks, we could fully use our new bathroom; for the shower enclosure, we had to make do with a temporary solution, which was replaced after 5 weeks by a glass partition from Kermi. All in all, we were very impressed by the support and advice from bazuba (special thanks to Mr. Glutsch). A big compliment to the two skilled workers responsible for the work!! Without a doubt, 5 stars for bazuba."
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PG
Peter G.
Karlsruhe ·
Google
“
„Good decision! — We chose BAZUBA because of a report on an online portal... and we have no regrets! Our wishes were discussed and planned in the showroom with an incredible amount of patience. Even changes and special requests before the renovation started were implemented quickly and easily. The entire construction team also deserves mention – everyone was without exception polite and friendly. I especially want to mention Mr. Robert, who brightened every one of our site visits with his good mood. In hindsight, we can now list the following reasons why we recommend BAZUBA to everyone: 1.) The price – All other quotes were about 25% higher than BAZUBA’s. 2.) The team – As already mentioned, patience and friendliness are top priorities here. 3.) The planning – None of our wishes were considered impossible. Even special requests were gladly fulfilled. 4.) The working time – A conventional renovation would have taken at least 4 weeks and the whole house would have been dusty. BAZUBA finished on schedule in 2 weeks. 5.) The quality – Nothing wobbles, nothing is scratched. The bathtub looks like new. The walls are flawless. Every joint fits perfectly. 6.) The look – We chose a seamless bathroom. Compared to tiles, our bathroom now feels much friendlier and warmer. 7.) The warranty! All in all, we are satisfied customers and would have our bathroom renovated by BAZUBA again anytime."
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C
Christopher
Guntramsdorf ·
Herold
“
„Perfect! Absolutely recommend. — Tub out and shower in! From start to finish, we can only give the highest praise. The consultant, Mr. Raffael Weninger, gave us excellent advice at home. He took our needs into account and came up with a perfect plan for us with his great ideas. The craftsmen also deserve the highest praise. They were extremely careful to avoid dust and dirt, which is not easy with this kind of work. The first two days, two careful installers took on their responsible tasks. After all, all newly laid water pipes and drains have to be completely sealed. The third and fourth days belonged to the quick gentlemen Jànos and Gàbor, who were able to complete this partial renovation on time — without taking a break! It must be said that all "our" four craftsmen are extremely friendly and hardworking. Otherwise, our project would not have been completed perfectly in this relatively short time. On the third day, the company owner visited us, checked on the progress, and asked about our satisfaction so far. That builds trust. Now we enjoy our new shower pleasure every day! We gladly recommend this company with its great employees. Warm regards! Christian & Sylvia Karner"
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Christian K.
Guntramsdorf ·
Herold
“
„NEW BATHROOM For about 3 weeks now, we have been proud owners of a seamless bathroom and toilet. The first team from bazuba arrived on time and very punctual, professionally covering everything from the front door up to the bathroom, including the stairs, and began dismantling the old sanitary fixtures, disposing of everything no longer needed. From then on, things moved quickly every day. Congratulations to your employees. Everyone was extremely friendly, polite, and really hardworking. No matter what was being done, we were always asked if everything was okay or if we had other wishes. The new walk-in shower is truly a dream, the walls seamless and so beautifully bright, and the floor really very nice and easy to maintain. The toilet was done in the same style. Simply beautiful. I wanted to wait with the review until I got used to the new bathroom. Every morning, when I enter our beautiful bathroom, I am very happy. No matter which team was on site, all employees did professional work. We will always remember bazuba from Guntramsdorf fondly and will gladly recommend them. Thank you very much for everything. Best regards, Renate P."
We are not the right contact for drain cleaning. However, if you wish to renovate your toilet or guest toilet, we will inspect it free of charge and then provide you with a fixed price. Prefer to call? Germany 0800 90 44 2000, Austria 0800 66 55 36, both free of charge.
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