Causes of a Blocked Toilet
What exactly causes a blocked toilet? These are common, and every household has had this experience at least once. Well, clogged toilets are a result of blockages that are occurring in the drain. Foreign objects always cause it, and the fix is as simple as sucking the foreign object out or pushing it.
Ways to Unblock a Toilet
It’s important to know that you don’t immediately need to call a plumber for an issue like this. While it does need immediate action, sometimes, that immediate action can be simple. Here are some unique ways that you can unclog a toilet.
Check for a visible blockage
If you see the blockage, you can likely just take care of it. Usually, the blockage isn’t so clearly visible, but if it is, it will make it a lot easier to assess the situation. This might even include putting on some rubber gloves and feeling around. If you feel something, try to crush it or fish it out.
Try dish soap
It’s best to leave your rubber gloves on for this next tip. You’ll mix a bucket of hot water with a little dish soap and pour it into the toilet bowl. It’s best to let it sit for five to ten minutes. This is essentially a homemade drain cleaner. So, not only are you cleaning your drain, but you're giving your bowl a nice clean too.
Use a heavy-duty plunger
The classic and most effective method, you can never go wrong with getting yourself a plunger and just plunging the toilet until it’s unclogged. Nine times out of ten, this will be the best option for your toilet situation. Just make sure you’re investing in a plunger that’s high quality.
Hook the blockage with a coat hanger
If your hands can’t reach down the drain, you can cut a wired coat hanger and stretch it out. This way, it can make its way to what’s clogged. It’s great for breaking up foreign objects. If something such as hair clogs it, it’ll be hooked in.
Mix hot water, vinegar, and baking soda
One of the classic ways to unclog a drain, you can never go wrong with trying this out. Combine the three ingredients and place it in the toilet bowl and wait for ten minutes. This is usually just as successful as the plunger method.
Try a bio-cleaner
Drain and pipe cleaners are very harsh chemicals and tend to be ineffective too. What makes matters worse is that this can also eat away at your pipes over time. Using the safer option and looking toward organic drain cleaners is best.
Use a drain snake
Last but certainly not least, you may need a plumbing snake or auger. This tool is used to break up clogged drains. All you need to do is insert the device into your toilet while slowly turning the handle. You’ll do this until you find the clogged area. The device will puncture it, and you’ll wind the snake back up. You can repeat this process until you’re able to flush properly.
Overall, unclogging your toilet doesn’t need to be too difficult or expensive! It’s just about thinking outside the box and being willing to try multiple options!
Need a clog taken care of? Contact your local plumber right away!