Most homeowners only think about their toilets if the cistern needs to be fixed or the toilet ends up blocked. A blocked toilet is a nightmare because it is messy, causes odors, and can lead to bacteria breeding.
There are ways to unclog toilets without getting too close. For example, you can use a plunger with a long handle to unblock, or use a less hands-on method with baking soda and vinegar. Other ways to deal with clogged toilets are chemical drain cleaners, hot water, and dish soap, or a plumbing snake.
Not every homeowner is ready to deal with a clogged toilet, and involving a plumbing expert is one way to get help. If you don’t have the experience, hire a professional plumber to help. One of the places you can find qualified plumbers is at J. Blanton plumbing through https://www.jblantonplumbing.com/.
How to unclog a toilet
Whether you dropped a non-flushable item in your toilet or the drain pipe is clogged, getting your toilet working again can prove to be a task.
Unclogging a toilet without the correct tools and protective gear can cause worse issues like bacterial infections. Only those with expertise should DIY toilet unclogging. If not, hire a professional to deal with the clogging. Some of the ways to unblock a toilet include the following.
1. Using a plunger
Using a plunger to unclog a toilet remains the most effective (but the least preferred) method, as plunging the toilet makes the owner get into closer contact with bacteria. However, the correct use of the plunger can unblock the drain faster.
It’s important to be careful when using a plunger because pumping it the wrong way could result in you splashing dirty water on your face. Also, wear gloves and cover your mouth and nose with a face mask.
Once you have your plunger, insert it into the toilet bowl and push it gently. You first must eliminate the air before forcing the clogging substances down the drain. Once you create a seal, pump the plunger upwards and inwards without breaking the seal.
If you feel that things have started moving down the drainage pipe, pull the plunger up. The water and all the dirt will move towards the drain, and the toilet will be clean and working again. However, the plunger method could fail, requiring you to try another unclogging technique.
2. Pour vinegar and baking soda
Vinegar and baking soda are the most preferred cleaning and unclogging agents. When mixed, vinegar and baking soda form a chemical reaction resembling an eruption. You might also consider using these non-toxic cleaning aids instead of the plunger to clear your toilet.
Start by adding a cup of baking soda to the toilet bowl and wait for some minutes. Next, pour two cups of vinegar into the toilet a little bit at a time. Vinegar causes fizzing and could form bubbles that overflow to the toilet floor.
Once you’ve poured all the vinegar, wait for 20 minutes. Next, you can check the toilet to see if the water level has been reduced. Finally, flush the bathroom to see if the clog has cleared.
3. Hot water and dish soap
The unclogging method of using hot water and dish soap is less common than vinegar and baking soda. Dish soap and water unclog a toilet without causing plumbing damage to the pipe. When using this method, begin by reducing the water in the toilet bowl.
Next, heat some water on your stove, but ensure it doesn’t boil. Too hot water can crack the toilet bowl and damage drainage pipes. Add dish soap to the water and heat the mixture in a bowl.
Once the water is ready, pour it into the toilet bowl and let it remain for some minutes. The dish soap and hot water loosens any build-up in the pipes to clear the clogs. You will notice the method works if the water in the toilet flows down the drainage.
4. Use an enzyme waste removal product
All your homemade unclogging methods might fail, but factory-made enzyme waste removal products should work. These products loosen waste materials causing clogs. Besides toilets, the enzyme waste removal product can also help clean septic tanks.
However, it will only work if the cause of the toilet clog is organic waste, not toys. When using these enzymes, wear protective gloves to protect your hands and avoid getting in direct contact with the substance.
Start by reading the instructions, and then pour a generous amount of enzymes into your toilet bowl. You should wait overnight or for the specified number of hours until the enzymes break down the clog. If the water level reduces in the toilet bowl, flush the toilet to see if it drains.
5. Use a plumbing snake
The chemical toilet unclogging methods only work if the cause of the clog is organic. If the cause of toilet blockage is substances like toys, you’ll need a plumbing snake to unclog it. The plumbing snake is messy, though you can put it in the bowl and try to push any solid substances down the drain.
6. Contact a plumber
If all the toilet unclogging methods fail, consider contacting a certified plumber. Plumbers are well-trained to check the cause of the clogs and choose the appropriate unclogging method.
However, avoid hiring random plumbers because they could do shady work or damage your toilet system. Instead, ask for the license and certificates of the plumbers you hire to ensure they are qualified.
Final words
Blocked toilets can be too much work for homeowners. They cause odors, are messy, and can lead to bacteria breeding, causing infections. While unclogging a toilet is not easy, it’s doable. Use a plunger, vinegar, baking soda, or dish soap to break down the blocking substance. If a toy causes a clog, you’ll need a plumbing snake.
