We hardly think about toilets until something goes wrong. A blocked toilet can be a real torment. Sadly, learning how to unblock a toilet is a household errand that we can’t just avoid, no matter how much we might wish to. It may be a nasty and unpleasant thing to do, but it’s important nevertheless, and once you have the right knowledge of how you can easily do it, you will never forget it.
This guide will help you with how you can unblock a toilet and how can you avoid toilet blockage from happening in the first place.
Here're top 10 ways
- Pin down your Toilet Blockage:
- Types of Clogs:
- Why toilet clogs?
- Ways to unblock a toilet:
- How to unblock a toilet by using a Plunger:
- Steps on How to use a Plunger:
- Plumber’s Snake:
- Steps on How to operate a Plumber’s snake:
- How to unblock a toilet by using baking soda & Vinegar:
- How to unblock a toilet by pouring hot water:
Pin down your Toilet Blockage:
Toilets can choke for any one of the basic reasons, usually involving limited or complete blockage in one of the various parts of the drain system. Which may involve the toilet trap, the branch drains line, the vent pipe, or the main sewer line.
Most commonly, when a toilet clogs then a toilet plunger is used. However, there is more than one way to get rid of the clog and some of these ways include common household items that you most probably already have.
Also Read: How to unblock a Sink? Here’re 10 simple ways
Types of Clogs:
There are mainly two types of clogs that can occur in a household toilet. One is a slow drainer and the other is no-drainer. A slow drainer is when a toilet is clogged but water can easily move past the clog allowing the water to drain very slowly. Most of the cases, this slow-drainer type clog happens which can be cleaned by using a plunger.
Whereas a no-drainer means no movement of water in the bowl whatsoever. This occurs due to an object completely obstructing the drain and may require the use of a toilet auger. A blockage in a toilet steep or waste outlet needs to prognosis the root of the problem and application of unblocking methods different from those used for standard toilets.
Why toilet clogs?
Toilet can clog due to many reasons. Some of the common mistakes that aid in clogging are as follows:
- When we flush things that are un-flushable such as baby toys, lazier blades, sanitary pads, cotton products, etc.
- Installation of a low-flow toilet, which lacks the required pressure to clear out the drain.
- By throwing toilet paper in the bowl, which accumulates and causes blockage.
Ways to unblock a toilet:
- By using a plunger.
- By using a Plumber’s Snake
- By using Soda and Vinegar
- Pouring Hot water
How to unblock a toilet by using a Plunger:
This is what most people do when it comes to clogging a toilet. The plunger can be easily found in any household W/C. Un-clogging a toilet with a plunger usually generates enough suction to free the clog. Knowing how to handle a plunger to unclog a toilet can prevent the mess of using a plumber’s snake or the cost of calling a plumber.
Steps on How to use a Plunger:
Turn off the water at the valve:
Before using a plunger, make sure that the water inlet valve is off. This will eliminate the odds of the toilet overflowing. The valve is generally located under the toilet tank.
Shield the drain hole with the plunger:
Mind it there’s water coming at least halfway up the rubber cup on the plunger. Pour some water into the bowl if there isn’t enough. Be sure to stand the plunger right over the drain. This will help to ensure a dense seal.
Push & Pull of Plunger:
Now, we need to push the plunger as deep as possible until it touches the drain and then pulls up sharply, but that much to break the suction. Repeat this process a couple of times. If you have applied bleach or any chemical of this sort on the clog first, do not attempt to plunge the drain without wearing safety glasses.
If you have tried these steps and yet see no results then probably it’s time to pull out the plumber’s snake.
Plumber’s Snake:
A plumber snake is a flexible drill bit that is used to knock plumbing system clogs. These snakes are made of a twisted metal wire and attached to a long metal cable, which is attached to a crank. A plumber’s snake is used when the plunger can’t do the trick.
Steps on How to operate a Plumber’s snake:
Slide the cable into the toilet:
Slide the plumber’s snake or auger into the toilet and aim the curved part of the equipment at the curved part of the toilet bowl. If you still see the cable, then you must slide it a bit further in.
Spin the handle until the blockage is clear:
Keep the plumber’s snake in one hand and spin the handle slowly with the other. Be gentle while spinning the auger as this could backfire and make the cable coil back. Move the handle in one direction until you feel some resistance. When you feel like it cannot move any further, then it’s safe to guess that you have reached blockage.
Get the cable out:
If still the cable can go lower than before and there is no resistance, pull it out by spinning in the opposite direction.
Checking by flushing:
Now, flush the toilet a couple of times to check if the blockage has been cleared or not. See if the water is not draining properly, then repeat the process. After using an auger, wash it and let it dry on its own to avoid rustiness.
How to unblock a toilet by using baking soda & Vinegar:
Sodium bicarbonate also known as baking soda, is commonly used as a household product. Baking soda has many other uses, other than raising agents in baking. When soda is mixed with vinegar, it creates a powerful chemical reaction. This formula is often used to clean bathrooms.
When it comes to unclogging a toilet, this method is very much applicable because it easy, cheap and fast solution to obstruction. This simple trick can be used to unblock any drains as well.
How to unblock a toilet by pouring hot water:
Partial blockage in toilets can be removed by simply pouring hot water. Before pouring hot water into the toilet make sure to check the water level inside the bowl. Pour some washing liquid and wait for 10 minutes. Now pour 2-3 liters of hot water, and keep a safe distance to avoid scalding. If the water level does fall in a few minutes, then go for the plunger.
