A clogged toilet is a problem that puts everything else on hold but can usually be fixed without calling a plumber. Using one of these tried-and-true methods will quickly help you out of an unpleasant situation.

Before going to work on your clogged toilet, some prep work may be in order. Put on rubber gloves and lay newspaper down around the bowl to absorb water and protect your floor. Avoid the temptation to try flushing again, as this will only cause more water to be pumped into the toilet bowl.

The easiest method for unclogging a toilet is the plunger. If you're in the market for one, purchase a rubber plunger with an extension flange - they fit toilets better and create stronger suction. If the bowl is full of water, give it about 10 minutes to drain what it can before attacking the problem. Unfold the rubber flange, make sure you've completely covered the hole, and go to work. Slow and firm pumping will get you the best results.

Another great trick for unclogging your bowl utilizes common household materials - dish soap, laundry detergent and hot water. Put some water on the stove to heat, then assess how full the toilet bowl is and determine whether you need to remove any water. Do so if necessary. Add a few squirts of liquid dish soap and a little powdered laundry detergent to the toilet bowl. Add about a full pot of hot water to the mix. The water should be hot but not boiling. This method will usually cause the water to drain on its own.

When other methods fail you, another tool might help - the snake. Snakes are helpful in clearing clogs from more than just toilets - they can help remove debris from drains and pipes, and are a useful tool to keep around. Put one end of the snake into the drain and continue feeding it down until you hit the obstruction. Twist and pull the snake until the obstruction loosens and the water begins to drain. If the object causing the clog is hard, such as a child's toy, you may need to remove the toilet from the floor and run the snake in reverse. If you are not comfortable doing this, the professional help of a plumber may be necessary.

Using these methods will help you fix your clogged toilet in nearly every situation.

Most home owners are concerned about possible water damage to some degree.  However it's very important that you understand this issue if you live in an area where water damage is more prevalent due to the weather conditions.  The cover you receive can also vary depending on which state you live.  You might find yourself in a situation where you need to claim but don't know if you are covered or not.  And of course, not all water damage is caused due to the weather, there are other possibilities too.

If your water damage has been caused by an appliance such as a dishwasher, toilet or A/C then you will probably be covered but it's important that you make sure.  So have a look to see if your policy is an HO2 or HO3.

Remember this is a big difference between your dishwasher flooding your kitchen and a storm flooding your kitchen.  If it's an appliance at fault make sure you don't use the word "flood" because this can suggest a flood caused by natural means.  Instead you should refer to it as "water damage." If you live in an area where flooding is common then you need to make sure that you have flood insurance and this is normally separate from your regular home insurance.

For those who want actual flood damage insurance you need to take this out separately.  Make sure you find out exactly how much cover you need as you could be severely out of pocket if you don't have enough cover.  There is a difference between having a replacement cover value and a current cover value.  The current value of your goods could be much less than the replacement costs.

If you your home uses a septic, make sure you don't use the word septic if your toilet has caused the flooding as you might not be covered for septic issues.  Instead if this issue is caused by the toilet supply line you should say so to avoid confusion.

If flooding has meant that you need your carpets replaced, don't use a water remediation company that has the words "carpet cleaning" in their name.  This is because the insurance company might turn round and say you got a carpet cleaning company out and therefore the carpets should have been cleaned rather than replaced.  This is simply one headache you want to avoid.

Pipes that burst in the middle of winter is pretty normal and if this happens you should be covered.  However if you are away on vacation and you don't leave any heating on at all, you will more than likely not be covered.  A simple measure like having the heating go on and off whilst you are away can really save you a lot of money when the worst weather happens.

These are just some of the issues you need to be aware of when claiming your homeowners insurance for water damage.  There are so many things you need to consider and hopefully this article has answered some of your concerns.