How to unclog a toilet

5 Ways to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

Using a plunger is the best technique to clear a blocked toilet, but there may be times when you don’t have access to one. Have no worry if you don’t have a plunger on hand and the toilet is clogged. There are numerous techniques to clean the toilet, some of them include using basic home products that you most likely already own.

You might need to employ a drain snake to clear a particularly difficult obstruction. However, these DIY solutions can help you get past some of the smaller obstructions you could come across.

Dish Soap

Although plunging a blocked toilet is unpleasant, there is an alternative. Go to the kitchen and get some dish soap to clear a clogged toilet without a plunger. The slick soap might lubricate the clogged pipe and make it easier for the stuck particles to fall out.

Half a cup should be added to the toilet. If you run out of dish soap, break up a bar of hand soap and flush the bits down the toilet.

How to unclog a toilet Add Hot Water

If using dish soap alone is unsuccessful, adding water might help. Since boiling water could fracture a porcelain toilet, fill a bucket with hot bath water and pour it into the bowl from waist height. The water’s force may be able to remove the clog’s root.

DIY Wire Hanger Drain Snake

A more serious obstruction might need relocating the object by hand. Without a plunger, straighten out a wire coat hanger by unraveling it. One wire end should be pushed into the obstruction. Push the trash around until it breaks loose and starts to drain. Although a drain auger is preferable, a wire hanger will do in a pinch.

Baking Soda Mixture

When you don’t have a plunger, consider this all-natural method as an alternative to using dish soap. Pour two cups of vinegar and one cup of baking soda into the toilet. Let it fizz for 30 minutes. Try the hot water approach if the clog does not clear up.

How to unclog a toilet Use a Plastic Bottle to Create Water Pressure

This unclogging technique could become messy.

Start by draining as much water as you can from the toilet bowl. To accomplish this, fill a small container with toilet water and repeatedly dump the water into a bucket. Next, put warm water in a big plastic bottle.

Put your thumb over the bottle’s top and insert the bottle’s top end into the toilet’s bottom outlet. (For this stage, rubber gloves are recommended.) Take your thumb off the bottle and squeeze it to force the water down the pipe. The additional pressure might force whatever was blocking the pipe to move.

Squirt Gun Toilet Drainer

Here’s a clever trick to get the water out of your toilet bowl if you decide to drain it before clearing the obstruction.

“You must drain all water from a toilet before fixing or replacing it. It won’t work if you just turn off the water supply and flush. Although a sponge functions, it moves somewhat slowly. So I sponge off the remaining water after sucking the rest out with an old squirt gun and dumping it into a bucket. — Dale Conklin, a reader.

How to Unclog a Toilet With a Plunger

Introduction

Toilet clog? No issue. Most clogged toilets may be cleared in a matter of minutes by using a plunger or a toilet snake with a little practice (without flooding the bathroom and making the situation worse.)

Tools Required

• Plunger
• Rubber gloves

Step 1: How to Test the Drainage of a Toilet That Won’t Flush

Remove the tank lid, slightly lift the flapper valve to release a cup or two of water into the bowl, and check to see if the water goes down before attempting to forcefully unclog the toilet. However, be prepared with towels because flushing a clogged toilet could cause your floor to flood.

Step 2. Unclog a Toilet: Begin With a Plunger

You simply need one unique instrument, a toilet plunger, to unclog around 90% of toilets. Purchase a plunger for the toilet that has an extension flange on the rubber bell end. To impart additional “oomph” to the plunge, a toilet plunger with an extension flange is made to fit toilets better. If you just fold the flange back into the bell, the toilet plunger will unplug sink and bathtub drains as well.

Utilizing a Plunger

To get a better seal, first plunge the toilet with the rubber flange pulled out. Maintaining enough water in the basin to cover the plunger while you forcefully push in and out. Always have towels on hand to mop up any water that may splash.

Plunging Advice

The toilet drain is covered and sealed with a plunger. Wear rubber gloves because things could get nasty and adhere to these diving advice:

1. Take a slow, cautious first step. The bell will initially be filled with air. When you push firmly, water will spray all over the bathroom and you as the air is forced back around the seal.
2. Once the air has been forced out, plunge quickly in and out while preserving the seal. By pouring water down the drain in both directions, you’ll be able to clear most jams. Continue, if necessary plummeting 15–20 times.
3. Be tolerant. Aim to alternate between regular strokes and sporadic monster heaves.
4. Maintain sufficient water in the toilet bowl to keep the plunger covered. There won’t be much pressure created if you try to pump air through the toilet trap.

The majority of the time, plunging is sufficient to remove the obstruction. Try using a toilet snake, though, for tougher obstructions.

(Note: If your toilet keeps clogging up, there may be a performance problem. Find out how to enhance the functionality of your toilet here.)

Step 3. Major Toilet Surgery (If All Else Fails)

You’ll probably need to pull up the toilet if the clog refuses to move despite all of your efforts. Because you must shut off and disconnect the water supply, partially disassemble the toilet, and loosen it from its mounting ring, this task will take several hours. The likelihood is that you can then address the issue. To reseal the toilet base to the mounting ring, make sure to purchase a new wax ring and new mounting bolts.

If the main drain pipes in your home are clogged or if water is coming up through them, the issue is likely deeper down and out of sight. You might have to contact a plumber to clear the obstructions. Even if there is a big obstruction, plumbers are pricey but they can quickly get your bathroom back in working order.

Step 4. Bonus Toilet Unclogging Dos and Don’ts

1. Avoid chemicals

Don’t fall for the lie that strong drugs will handle the unpleasant work for you. They occasionally function, but they take longer. And if they don’t function, you’re left with a drain overflowing with caustic water. Run as much water as you can into the toilet and let it sit overnight to clear the blockage if chemicals didn’t clear it. When you take the plunge, protect your eyes and naked skin by donning safety goggles and rubber gloves.

2. Keep the lid of the toilet down.

Closing the toilet lid is a smart approach to prevent unnecessary clogs from occurring in the first place, especially if you have young children. This prevents objects like hairbrushes, crayons, and toys from falling into the toilet.

3. Avoid flushing hardening substances down the toilet.

If a liquid is going to remain a liquid, only flush that liquid down the toilet. What is prohibited from flushing down the toilet? These include things like caulk, grease, joint compound for drywall, and wax-based compounds.