How to Unclog a Toilet

July 6, 2021

Toilet Unclogging: What to Do When Your Toilet Is Clogged

Toilet unclogging instructions.

Toilet clogs tend to happen when you don't want them to. Some obstructions may be handled by an amateur plumber. A good plunger or DIY drain cleaner should typically clear clogs. Overwhelmingly, a plugged toilet will unclog on its own. Germs may be hiding inside any toilet, but a good pair of rubber cleaning gloves keeps you safe.

If the water in the tank is safe, you may handle the valve to close it if you want. In the 15-to-20-cycle range, the toilet is almost always unclogged. Toilets that don't flush should be plunged. Put on disposable gloves to protect your hands. Using enzyme drain cleaners is safer and better for the environment.

This particular treatment is designed to dissolve toilet paper and other similar waste in order to keep sewage systems clean and smelling nice. Just a few drops of dish soap in the toilet bowl may do if you have no baking soda or vinegar. A drain snake gathers a lot of water energy in a coiled wire. If a drain snake is used too hard, it may scratch a zinc pipe, damaging the coating. Using chemical drain cleansers on your toilet may cause damage. Air the bathroom before using it to prevent inhaling the chemical vapors.

Toilet blockages often seem to occur at the most inconvenient times of the day. Fortunately, most blockages may be cleared without the need for a professional plumber's assistance. Clogs may usually be removed using a decent plunger or a DIY drain cleaner prepared from hot water, baking soda and vinegar. If the blockage is more severe, you may attempt snaking the drain or using a wet or dry vacuum to clear it out. Water should be very hot but not boiling before being poured into the toilet with caution. Allow 10-15 minutes with the dish soap and hot water to soften the blockage before proceeding. Following this procedure, the toilet will unclog and flush easily.

What is the most effective method of unclogging a toilet?

One cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar should be added to your toilet bowl before flushing. Pour the water into the bowl, being careful not to overfill it, and set the bowl aside for several hours to enable the combination to work. If the blockage doesn't prove to be too difficult to remove, you'll be back in business.

Is it possible for a toilet to unclog itself?

The majority of the time, a blocked toilet will unclog on its own. Fortunately, most of the items that cause toilet clogs are water-soluble, which means they will dissolve over time in the toilet water. When the clog has been given enough time to break down, the pressure generated by a flush should be sufficient to rid the pipes of obstruction.

Is it a terrible idea to leave a blocked toilet unattended for a whole night?

In addition, it does not introduce hazardous chemicals into the toilet or septic tank, thus it is environmentally friendly. It's as simple as pouring it into the toilet bowl gently and letting it do its thing. It will take a few hours for it to start working, so allow it to soak overnight. These may cause serious harm to your toilet and perhaps lead to catastrophic problems down the line.

Is it possible to unclog a toilet with hot water?

Before you begin plunging, fill the toilet bowl with a couple of glasses of hot water from the faucet. Allow for a few minutes of resting time after you've poured in the hot water. To put it simply, the heat aids in the disintegration of the, uh, things. This will make unclogging the toilet with a plunger much, much easier than it would otherwise be.

Plunging the Toilet

A good pair of rubber cleaning gloves will protect you safe from any pathogens that may be hiding in a dirty toilet bowl. It is possible that the remedy will not work right away, but it is often successful after many tries and flushings. It may take between 15 and 20 cycles until the toilet is fully unclogged and functional again.

The flapper has the appearance of a circular drain stopper that is connected to a chain.
Because the water in the tank isn't contaminated, it's safe to put your hand inside to close the shutoff valve.
If the blockage is severe, put on a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands. Toilets are filthy, but a decent pair of rubber cleaning gloves can keep you safe from any germs that may be lurking within. Choose gloves that are long enough to reach your elbows.
Additionally, you may want to put on an extra pair of clothes just in case anything goes wrong.
Before using the plunger, run it under hot water to clean it. This will soften the material, which will aid in the creation of a seal.
Pump the plunger over the hole until it stops. Start gently at initially since the first dive will force air into the bowl, so take it slowly at start. Using a downward push and a strong upward pull, disrupt the blockage and release it. Continue to press and draw the water out with force until the water starts to drain. It may take between 15 and 20 cycles until the toilet is unclogged completely.
Please be patient. As long as you are certain that there is no hard object in the way, diving alone is often sufficient. The solution may not work right away, but it is often effective after many repeated attempts and flushings, with each effort consisting of hundreds of plunge cycles.

What is the best way to plunge a toilet that won't flush?

Here's one more desperate attempt: Dismantle a wire coat hanger and put on a pair of disposable gloves before continuing. One end of the straightened hanger should be wrapped in a cloth, and the other end should be duct taped securely in place so that it does not damage the toilet. Gently push debris down the pipe until you are able to flush it out with a hanger.

Is it possible to plunge a toilet that has feces in it?

After a few motions, little pieces of feces will get lodged in your plunger. Using caution, carefully remove it from the plunger and place it in a trash bag. Check to see that everything is clean and unclogged by flushing the toilet.

Making Use of an Enzyme Product

Products of this kind may often be found in or near the plumbing aisle of home improvement shops.. In comparison to utilizing a drain-clearing chemical, enzyme waste removal is preferred since it is less harmful to your pipes and the environment.
This technique will only work on biological trash; it will not work on toys or other non-biodegradable items.

Is it possible to use enzyme drain cleaning in the toilet?

The one that has been specially developed for toilets, of course. Many enzyme drain cleaners are safe to use with septic systems; but, these handy Green Gobbler Septic Saver treatments are specially intended to rapidly dissolve toilet paper and other similar debris in order to maintain sewer lines clear and smelling good.

Do drain cleaning enzymes have any effect?

It is possible for enzyme drain cleaners to be effective since they help to preserve the smooth flow of liquid through your plumbing. These drain cleaners are capable of removing a wide range of blockages, but certain jams are impossible to clear with their help. It is also non-toxic to you, your plumbing system, and any fixtures that it comes into contact with.

How to Make a Drain Cleaner

A hot cup of tea that is readily consumed should be the temperature of the water used in this procedure. A toy, for example, may create the obstruction, making this approach unlikely to be effective in that situation. It is possible that a few drops of dish soap in the toilet bowl may suffice if you do not have any baking soda or vinegar on hand.

At the very least, use half a gallon. Because it will not have enough power to drive through the blockage, a little quantity of water will not be effective.
The water should be no hotter than the temperature of a hot cup of tea that you can easily consume. It should not be boiling since very hot water may cause porcelain to fracture. Water flowing around the blockage or pushing on it should be heated to a higher temperature.
Even if you don't have any baking soda or vinegar on hand, a few drops of dish soap in the toilet bowl may be sufficient substitute. The soap may be able to assist in loosening the blockage.
If the blockage is caused by a hard impediment, such as a toy, this technique is unlikely to be successful.

Using a Plumbing Snake

Incorporate the end of the snake into the drain hole and crank the handle on the drum that holds the coiled-up snake.
Maintain your pressure on the snake as it enters the drain until you encounter resistance.
Rotate the snake in the opposite direction of the obstruction until you can feel it feeding freely into the pipe.

What is the proper way to use a plumbing snake for a toilet?

Insert the auger's end into the toilet bowl so that it is pointing down the toilet bowl drain. Turn the lever in a clockwise direction to extend the auger's cable (or "snake") down into the drain in the direction of the clogged pipe.

Is it possible for a drain snake to damage a pipe?

When a drain snake is used too forcefully, it may scrape a zinc pipe and cause the coating to become damaged. This may result in fractures or corrosion in the pipes, which can lead to a serious issue in the future if not addressed. When a drain snake is in operation, it contains a coiled wire that collects a lot of energy from the water.

Making a Wire Coat Hanger from Scratch

Make sure you're working with rubber gloves on while you're doing this. As you move the wire around, you may be splattered with water.
It is likely that the clog is out of reach of the hanger if you cannot feel a blockage and the toilet will not empty even after flushing it many times. To clean it out, try using a plumbing snake technique.

Chemical Drain Cleaners are being used.

Chemicals designed for toilets should only be used for their intended purpose. If you use other drain cleaners, it is possible that they may cause damage to your toilet. When using drain cleaning chemicals, it is best not to plunge the drain immediately after applying the chemicals. It is conceivable that the poisons will re-enter your body via your pores. Before entering the restroom, check to see that it has been adequately ventilated.

You should not use a chemical solution if you think that there is a hard obstacle in the way. Instead, use a snake or hire a professional plumber.
Chemicals intended for toilets should only be used in that capacity. Other drain cleaners may cause harm to your toilet if you use them.
Always avoid plunging the drain immediately after applying the drain cleaning chemicals. It is possible that the toxins may shoot back up onto your skin.
To avoid inhaling the chemicals, make sure the bathroom is properly aired before using it.