How To Unclog A Toilet

How to Unclog A Toilet Without A Plunger

Poor water pressure or high-frequency use can lead to toilet problems, often coming at the most inconvenient times. Although hotels and airplanes use industrial-strength flushing mechanisms, many of the plumbing mechanisms used in standard homes and apartments are far less powerful. And the advent of water conservation measures means that the average modern toilet has a flush volume almost half that of traditional toilet designs. Constant clogs may demand a professional plumber’s attention and some plumbers may charge upwards of $100 simply in call out fees. Occasional backups and one-time jams, however, can easily be solved with household items even when a handy toilet plunger is not available. So here we go with some tips on how to unclog a toilet without a plunger.

Unclogging a toilet without a plunger

Make sure you do not flush the toilet a second time if the water in the toilet bowl is close to the level of the rim. Most toilets bowls are designed to accommodate the entire contents of the tank, but not any more than this. Flushing a second time is simply a natural response, but more than one flush only pools more water into an already-overdrawn bowl and may cause spills. If the toilet bowl is overflowing or close to it, place paper towels or rags on the floor to accommodate any excess water. Fabric towels may be used to soak up spilled water, but they must be washed thoroughly in high-strength soap afterward to ensure purity.

Remember that many clogs, especially those described in the plumbing community as “soft” clogs, will clear away on their own. For this to happen, having a lot of water in the bowl will actually help. The weight of the water is often enough to break up the clog, loosen it from the side of the toilet trap-way and push it out into the main drain. So if time is not a factor, just leave the toilet to sit. You may find that on returning a few hours later, all the water has drained away. Flush the toilet again to see if the clog has cleared.

To speed things along try adding a small amount of dish-washing or laundry soap to the mix, but only if the plumbing can handle it — make sure your landlord approves if living in an apartment complex, or refer to your house’s plumbing guide. The soap has a higher density than water so will sink to the bottom of the toilet where it acts as a lubricant on the clog. If there is room for more water in the bowl, add hot (but not boiling) water to the mix; as this will break up a clog more quickly than colder water.

If you do not see any improvement then it may be time to “snake” the toilet. While some may suggest using a coat hanger or thick wire to do this, it’s far more effective to use a specially designed toilet snake or toilet auger. You’ll also minimize the risk of any damage to the porcelain of your toilet bowl. The flexible cable of the toilet snake is designed to extend through the toilet pipes to reach the clog, either forcing the entire clog out or pulling it back into the bowl as the cable is retracted.

As contaminated water has probably sat in the bowl for a few hours, make sure you clean the toilet thoroughly once the clog has cleared. Toilet cleaning methodology has improved a great deal in recent years with advances such as the Clorox toilet wand. These cleaners have disposable cleaning heads so you never have to come in to contact with dirty cleaning instruments.

If the above methods fail, certain chemical mixes available at any grocery store can get rid of the clog, but may risk damaging the plumbing or toilet itself. Make sure that your plumbing can handle these products before purchase, and read the directions carefully before use.

Clogged Toilet Solutions

It can become a nightmare scenario: A clogged toilet 5 minutes before your boss arrives or on your first date. But the good news is that most toilet clogs are quick and easy to clear up, especially if they are “soft clogs” resulting from excessive use of toilet paper and normal toilet waste. In this article we set out some basic steps on how to unclog a toilet.

How to fix a clogged toilet: From easy to more advanced

1) Wait. Many toilet clogs will disappear on their own given time. If there is no water in the bowl, flush it once to bring the level up. Many times the action and weight of water over the clog is enough to break up the blockage and loosen it. If the toilet bowl is already full, then don’t flush again as you could risk an overflow. The toilet bowl is designed to hold as much water as there is in the tank, but not much more.

2) Add hot water and dish soap. To move things along a little quicker add some hot water and a few squirts of dish soap into the bowl. Remember not to use boiling water as the rapid temperature difference could cause the porcelain of your toilet to crack. It’s a good idea to dissolve the dish soap in the water before adding it to the toilet. If the levels are very high and you are concerned with an overflow, let some water drain away first. The hot water will help dislodge whatever is causing the clog and the dish soap will act as a lubricant helping move the deposit along the trap way with minimum friction.

3) Plunge the toilet. If the above techniques are not working, or you are in more of a rush then it is time to use a toilet plunger. Toilet plunger designs have evolved considerably in recent years with some of the specialized toilet plungers (e.g. funnel plungers, flange plungers and ball plungers) exerting a very powerful pressure indeed. You can use a standard sink or tub plunger but as these have been designed for flat surfaces, and the toilet bowl is curved you may find it harder to get a good seal and the plunger may slip around as you plunge. If you can, we would recommend purchasing a specialized toilet plunger as this will get rid of even very stubborn clogs.

4) Get out the toilet auger. Although a little more involved that using a toilet plunger, once you get the hang of using a toilet auger you’ll find it very effective at getting rid of hard to shift toilet clogs. A toilet auger, sometimes referred to as a toilet snake or plumbing snake, consists of a flexible cable with a rubber coiled bit on one end. A handle on the other end controls the extension and retraction of the cable into a hollow tube. Here’s more on how to use a toilet auger but the basic goal is to extend the cable into the toilet trap way until it reaches the toilet clog and then pull the cable back up onto the toilet bowl. The result should be a clean toilet trap way and a smooth flushing performance.

So there you go. Some basic clogged toilet solutions that will get your toilet flushing freely. As clogged toilets can result in a rather messy looking toilet bowl, it’s a good idea to clean the toilet thoroughly. One of the best products on the market is the Clorox Toilet Wand. It’s quick and hygienic and you never have to come into contact with any unsanitary water or cleaning sponges.