How to

Unblocking Your Toilet: Easy and Quick DIY Methods That Save You Time and Money

"A clogged toilet is an incredibly frustrating, messy, and disruptive issue for any household. But fear not! With these simple and effective tips, you can easily unclog your toilet yourself, without having to call in a plumber. Read on to discover the secrets to tackling this pesky problem and restoring your bathroom to its fully functioning glory."

Administrator

3 September, 2024

Signs that your toilet is clogged and needs to be cleared: After using the toilet, the waste doesn’t go down the drain or it flushes slowly even after you’ve pressed the flush button multiple times. The toilet emits a foul odor, accompanied by gurgling sounds when flushing, and the water drains slowly or doesn’t drain at all, sometimes even splashing back up from the sewer onto the toilet seat.

There can be various reasons why your toilet keeps getting clogged, such as your septic tank being too full, accidentally dropping something into the toilet, or not having the septic tank pumped out regularly. Whatever the cause may be, a clogged toilet is certainly a nuisance and can be frustrating to deal with. The following article will provide you with effective and quick DIY solutions to unclog your toilet without having to call a professional sewer cleaning service.

Simple and surprisingly quick ways to unclog your toilet at home

Using water pressure to unclog the toilet

Unclogging a toilet using water pressure

When your toilet shows signs of being clogged, you can try the simplest method, which is to utilize the power of water pressure to clear the blockage. Simply press the flush button at the highest water level two to three times, or you can use a large bucket to pour water with force into the toilet to increase the water pressure.

Unclogging the toilet with a mixture of Baking soda and vinegar

Unclogging the toilet with Baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda, when combined with vinegar, can effectively unclog a blocked toilet. Just follow these steps: Pour one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar into the toilet, then add three to four liters of warm water at a temperature between 70 and 80 degrees Celsius. Let the mixture sit overnight. In the morning, simply flush the toilet once or twice, and it should be unclogged.

Using duct tape or plastic wrap to unclog the toilet

With just a roll of duct tape, you can easily fix a clogged toilet by following these simple steps:

First, clean any dust or dirt from the toilet rim and wait until it’s completely dry (this will ensure that the tape adheres better).

Next, use the duct tape to tightly seal the rim of the toilet, making sure there are no gaps or openings left uncovered, as this will affect the effectiveness of this method.

Once the rim is completely sealed, flush the toilet one or two times to create water pressure that will cause the tape to bulge. Then, use your hand to press the tape down.

Press the tape down with your hand

Due to the water pressure and difference in air pressure, your toilet will be unclogged. Simply remove the tape and clean any remaining adhesive residue with water.

Alternatively, you can use plastic wrap to cover the rim of the toilet and then use duct tape to secure it in place before following the same steps as above.

Using a specialized toilet unclogging sticker

Using a specialized toilet unclogging sticker

Specialized unclogging stickers work similarly to plastic wrap and are effective in clearing blocked toilets.

How to use:

Remove the plastic covering from the sticker and stick it directly onto the rim of the toilet.

Press the flush button, and when you see the sticker start to bulge, use your hand to press it down to create water pressure.

Once the clog is cleared and the toilet is functioning normally again, remove the sticker and thoroughly clean the toilet.

Using a specialized rubber plunger

A plunger is a common tool found in most households and is very effective in unclogging toilets. Using it correctly will quickly solve your clogged toilet issue. Here’s how to use a plunger properly:

Specialized rubber plunger for unclogging toilets

The first and most important step is to place the plunger directly over the drain hole, ensuring a tight seal. Many people don’t position it correctly, which can cause water to splash everywhere when plunging.

Once the plunger is in the right position, use force to push it down and then pull it up repeatedly until the toilet starts to drain.

Remember to flush the toilet again to check if it’s still clogged.

Using dish soap

First, boil a bucket of water; it should be hot enough for tea, as water that is too hot can damage the toilet’s enamel. Add a few drops of dish soap directly into the toilet bowl. Then, slowly pour half of the hot water into the toilet and wait for about 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, press the flush button, and you’ll be surprised by the result. If the toilet is still clogged, repeat the above steps once or twice more.

Using dish soap to unclog the toilet

Using ice cubes

It may sound unbelievable, but using ice cubes to unclog a toilet is possible, especially for minor clogs. Here’s how it works:

Fill the toilet with ice cubes and then flush. When the ice cubes come into contact with the water, they will reduce the water’s weight, causing it to float. As you flush, a vortex of ice will form, creating enough pressure to dislodge the blockage and any debris causing the clog.

Using chemical powder to unclog the toilet

When your toilet is clogged, many people’s first instinct is to call a professional plumbing service, which can be costly and time-consuming due to the complex procedures involved. However, with chemical powder, you can easily and quickly unclog your toilet without any external help.

Here’s how to use chemical powder effectively and safely:

– You can choose to wet the powder before pouring it into the toilet or sprinkle the dry powder directly into the bowl. If you decide to wet the powder first, use one to two packets of chemical powder and mix it with water to form a thick paste.

– Place the powder or paste into the toilet and wait for six to eight hours to allow the chemical to dissolve the debris causing the clog.

– After the waiting period, simply flush the toilet with clean water, and it should be good as new.

Using chemical tablets to unclog the toilet

Similar to chemical powder, chemical tablets are very useful in clearing blocked toilets.

How to use chemical tablets:

Drop a tablet into the toilet and flush to allow the tablet to dissolve and increase the water temperature to 100 degrees Celsius.

After an hour, pour some hot water into the toilet to help dislodge any remaining waste, and then flush again.

You can drop another tablet and repeat the process to ensure a clean and fresh-smelling toilet.

Precautions when unclogging the toilet at home

Before attempting any repairs, it’s important to ventilate the bathroom by opening windows or using an exhaust fan to remove any unpleasant odors from sewage or chemicals. Wear protective gear, such as long sleeves and rubber gloves, to prevent any bacterial infections. It’s recommended to use a single cleaning product throughout the process to avoid potential chemical reactions that could be hazardous.

Secondly, for squat toilets and sitting toilets, it’s best to use methods like a plunger or a coil. On the other hand, methods such as duct tape, plastic wrap, and specialized wrap should only be used for toilets where the rim can be completely sealed.

With these DIY methods, you can now save money and time by unclogging your toilet without relying on professional services. However, if you’ve tried all the above methods and your toilet is still clogged, it’s best to call a professional plumber to address the issue.

Frequently asked questions

There are a few methods you can try. One is to use a wire coat hanger to create a makeshift plunger by straightening it out and bending one end slightly. You can also try using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water, to help break up the clog. Another option is to pour a bucket of water from waist height into the toilet bowl to create a strong force that may clear the blockage.

In addition to the methods mentioned above, you can try using a wet/dry vacuum to suction out the blockage. You can also pour a cup of laundry detergent into the toilet bowl and let it sit for 15 minutes before pouring in a bucket of hot water. Another effective method is to use a toilet snake, which you can buy or rent, to break up the clog.

To prevent blockages, be mindful of what you flush down the toilet. Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper and human waste. Even seemingly harmless items like ‘flushable’ wipes, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products can cause clogs over time. It’s also a good idea to regularly clean your toilet, including the trap and jets, to prevent the build-up of debris and minerals that can contribute to blockages.

There are several common causes of toilet blockages. One is that the flush is not powerful enough to clear the waste, which can be due to a weak flush mechanism or a partial clog in the pipes. Another cause is that the toilet bowl or pipes are not clean, leading to a build-up of debris over time. Additionally, using too much toilet paper or flushing inappropriate items can also lead to blockages.

If the DIY methods mentioned above don’t work, it’s best to call a professional plumber. They have the tools and expertise to clear even the most stubborn clogs. Trying to force the issue yourself could lead to further damage or flooding, so it’s generally best to leave it to the experts if the blockage persists.