Unless something goes wrong, we rarely think about our toilets. If your toilet clogs or malfunctions, it can cause more serious problems than minor inconveniences. A blocked toilet can cause serious disruption to your household.
While clearing a blockage is often as easy as plunging it down the drain, sometimes you will need to run an auger through the plumbing.
Plunger
Although it may seem simple, this tool is the best for unclogging a toilet. This tool is highly recommended for all households. We recommend it with a flange as they are the best at unblocking toilets.
To use this tool, place the plunger into the toilet bowl and gently push it down. First, you need to remove the air. Do not force yourself to do this, as you could end up splashing dirty water all over your body.
Once you have achieved a seal, push the plunger down and upwards while maintaining the seal. Then, push the tool upwards while breaking the air seal. The water will start to drain. If that doesn't solve the problem, you can repeat the process until it disappears.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
If your toilet won’t flush and you don’t have a plunger you can use non-toxic household cleaners like vinegar and baking soda. You already know vinegar and baking soda can be used to clean many surfaces and act as deodorizers. They also help keep our drains flowing smoothly.
These household cleaners can also be used to clear a blocked toilet, even if you don’t have a plunger. Add a cup of baking soda and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, slowly pour 2 cups of vinegar into the toilet.
Vinegar and baking soda react to make bubbles. Pour carefully to avoid the toilet water from leaking or splashing. Let the mixture of vinegar and baking soda work for about a minute.
To determine if the clog is gone, flush your toilet. It is possible that you will need to do this again until the clog disappears. When your toilet makes a rapid suction sound, the clog will disappear and your toilet drains naturally.
Hot Water and Dish Soap
While the water heats up, heat a gallon of water on the stove. Meanwhile, pour dish soap into the toilet. Once the water has reached boiling point, add the dish soap to the toilet. Allow the hot water and dish soap to soften the clog for about 10-15 minutes.
After doing this, your toilet will be unclogged and flushed freely. If you prefer to clean your toilet in your bathroom, you can use hot water and shampoo at the sink.
The Snake
A toilet snake can be purchased for $25. It only takes one purchase and it's safe to use. The handy device can be threaded and wound around until the blockage is gone. Although it can be messy, this is better than using your hands. This is especially useful if the clog is deeper than the bowl.
If that fails, contact certified plumbers. You shouldn't substitute a clothes hanger for the toilet bowl as it can scratch the porcelain surface.
Bleach for the House
Household bleach works in the same way as soap to break down the waste. This is the same process as for dish soap. You will need to replace the liquid or solid dishwashing soap you have used with 2-3 cups bleach. Pour one cup of powdered soap into the dishwashing liquid. After waiting 10-15 minutes, flush your toilet. This is a more efficient way to flush a very clogged bathroom.
