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.
