How to Unclog a Toilet

A clogged toilet usually has the worst timing, like when you are in the middle of entertaining a house full of guests. A lot of the time, a clogged toilet can occur from overuse, old plumbing, flushing items that shouldn’t be flushed, or it could be a sign of a more serious plumbing problem like a clogged main line. In instances where clogs are reoccurring you should call a professional plumber to get to the root of the problem. However, if you find yourself dealing with an impromptu clog that did not RSVP to your dinner party here are some tips to help you unclog a toilet.

An overflowing toilet is everyone’s worst nightmare. It can cause a huge mess, not to mention cause a lot of damage to the surrounding area. If it seems that overflow is imminent, you can stop it by closing the flapper in the tank. Hold it down with your hand while you continue to flush, until the water starts to fill up in the tank.

When it’s time to unclog a toilet, having the right plunger is crucial. For toilet clogs, use a flange plunger. It looks like a cup plunger but has a

lip at the end so that it can fit in the drain of the toilet and form a tight seal. For best results warm the plunger with hot water before you begin to plunge so that the rubber is more pliable.

#3 Hot Water

Can water can work wonders to unclog a toilet. Try pouring some hot water down the toilet. Hot water can help break up the clog and make plunging easier. In some cases, hot water is all you need, so if you are attempting to be discreet this is a good tip.

For really stubborn clog you can try an auger. It is a snake-like device with a hook on the end. You simply crank it down the toilet drain until it stops, this means you have hit your clog. Once you reach the clog, it will either break it apart or you can pull it out. After you use the auger, give it a few plunges and you should be good to go.

In instances where you toddler decides to flush a bar of soap or see if their action figures can swim, you can try using the shop vac to suck it out of the drain. In many instances, clogs are the result of mischievous little minds exploring what would happen if…..

Some signs you may have a more serious clog include: sinks and tubs start backing up, or you have reoccurring clogs. In these instances, you should contact a professional plumber to address the issue right away.