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How to Unclog a Toilet

Have you ever flushed the toilet and heard this gross gurgling sound, or perhaps you just realize the water doesn’t go down? This can be very frustrating, and more often than not, it means one thing: your toilet is clogged! But don’t worry: today, we learn how to unclog a toilet together, step by step.

You don’t have to be a plumber or superhero to fix it; just follow these quick instructions, and in no time you will be a pro at unclogging a toilet.

How to Unclog a Toilet: What Is the Meaning of a Clogged Toilet?

You should start by knowing what a clogged toilet really is.

A clogged toilet is a result of clogging the pipes through which water and waste material pass. At times, people might flush down too much toilet paper, or they might drop something that shouldn’t be flushed down a toilet, like an action figure or a toy.

At this point, you can have water rise rather than go down, and that is why you need to act!

How to Unclog a Toilet: Tools You Might Need

Having some tools at hand is preferable. Here’s what you might need:

How to Unclog a Toilet 1. Plunger

This is the most useful tool for this job! A plunger is simply a rubber cup mounted on the end of a stick. This will aid in creating suction, which in turn helps to push out the clog.

How to Unclog a Toilet 2. Toilet Auger (Plumbing Snake)

A toilet auger can help, if the plunger doesn’t. It is like a long flexible tool that can reach deep into the pipes to break the clogging passageway.

How to Unclog a Toilet 3. Rubber Gloves

Not very glamorous, but rubber gloves should keep your hands clean. And, well, sometimes it gets a bit messy with the unclogging of toilets.

How to Unclog a Toilet 4. Old Towels or Rags

These are quite helpful in catching any spills, and you end up keeping your floor clean.

How to Unclog a Toilet 5. Hot Water

Keep a bucket of hot water near you for the purpose of softening some blockages.

Now, with our tools in place, we can proceed to how to unclog a toilet!

Step-by-By-Step: How to Unclog a Toilet

How to Unclog a Toilet 1. View the Problem

Before you start, take a look at the toilet. Examine the water level in the bowl.

Is it coming up near the edge? If you answered yes, then do not flush again! This will only add to the problem.

How to Unclog a Toilet 2. Set Up the Work Area

Lay Down Old Towels: Lay down some old towels or rags around the base of the toilet. This will help protect the floor from water spillage, so your bathroom won’t get dirtier.

Put on Gloves: Wear your rubber gloves. They will keep you clean while you plunge that toilet.

Now it’s time to plunge! Here’s how to do it properly.

How to Unclog a Toilet: Position the Plunger

Apply the Plunger: Get the plunger to enter the toilet basin, covering the whole opening of the toilet trap.

Seal Off: Give it a light push to seal it down. You need to make sure the plunger is fitted tightly to make a seal for suction.

Push and Pull: Start to push down hard, then pull up fast. Repeat this 10-15 times, making sure that you push down and pull up with enough pressure to hold the seal.

Listen for Changes: While plunging, listen! If gurgling and a sudden rush of water are what you hear, the clog might be breaking down.

How to Unclog a Toilet: Check for Success

Once you are done with plunging, in a robust manner, take out the plunger and see your toilet.

Did the water go down? If it did, then yippee! You’ve gotten it repaired.

If it didn’t, no worries, there’s always another chance!

Use Hot Water (if Plunger didn’t work)

If the plunger is not of much help, let’s use hot water. This can melt the clog to some extent.

Boil Water: Heat the water hot enough on the stove but not up to the boiling point.

Pouring Slowly: The scalding hot water should be poured carefully into the toilet bowl. Do not do this too quickly; it will splash out.

Wait a While: Let the scalding hot water just stay there for some time to work up on the blockage. Then flush and see if it goes.

How to Unclog a Toilet: Use a Toilet Auger

If the blockage persists even after jerking and hot water, then it’s time to call in the big guns— the toilet auger!

How to Use a Toilet Auger

Insert the Auger: Place the end of the toilet auger into the toilet bowl, then slowly push it into the drain.

Crank the Handle: Now, turn the handle clockwise as you push the auger further into the pipe. Be gentle; you don’t want to scratch the inside of the toilet!

Pull Back the Clog : If you feel the tension let go, then you hit it. You are pushing above something. Turn and push forwards—to pull it back out. Yank the Snake : After you think you pulled the clog free, yank the snake out with caution. Test the Flush : Try flushing the toilet again. Did it go down this time? Halleluiah! Step 6. Other Methods for Unclogging a Toilet If the clog is stubborn or it continues to not come out, here are a few more methods:

Baking Soda and Vinegar: Add a cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar to the toilet. This will fizz for a bit and should be more than enough to break down a small obstruction. Leave it for about half an hour, then flush it.

Soap and Water: Pour squirt some dish soap into the toilet and then some hot water down it. The soap seems to help in lubricating the clog and makes it easier to break apart.

Wet-Dry Vacuum: If you own a wet-dry vacuum, this can be another method to use for unclogging. Just be sure the excess water has been removed from the toilet first before turning the vacuum on.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Unclogging a Toilet

Unclogging a toilet can be a tricky operation, here are some of the common mistakes that people tend to make:

How to Unclog a Toilet 1. Use of Harsh Chemicals

People generally think that by pouring in those chemicals, the clog will get cleared. You’re not very hopeful, though, because they can be harmful to your pipes. Sometimes, they do not work either.

How to Unclog a Toilet 2. Over plunging

It’s pivotal to plunge. Still, over-plunging can make you break the toilet seal, or it can make cracks in the bowl. The plunges have to be firm, but gentle at the same time.

How to Unclog a Toilet 3. Not Checking for Hidden Obstructions

Before using tools, make sure there is nothing large in the toilet that you can remove by hand, like toys. Trying to push it down the drain can make the clog bigger.

How to Unclog a Toilet : When to Call a Plumber

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the clog just won’t budge. Here is when to call the pro:

Repeated Clogs: Your fixed toilet repeatedly becomes clogged in general. This might indicate a further situation with the plumbing.

Additional Fixtures: If other toilets and sinks in your house are slowly draining back or backing up, then it’s high time for a professional.

Do Not Want to Handle the Mess: If you don’t care or are scared about the mess or the tools, then feel free to get hold of a plumber.

Updates : How to Unclog a Toilet

By 2024, some pretty cool innovations in toilet care!

Innovative Toilets

Businesses are currently making “smart toilets” that come packed in with sensors in case they get clogged or need maintenance. With this toilet, when there is trouble, you get an alert on your phone and can fix it right there to save you from a big mess down the line.
Go green and natural with products for toilet unclogging. There are plenty of companies to offer biodegradable and natural products that help in cleaning these pipes and will not harm the plumbing with the help of harmful chemicals. They are safe for your plumbing and safe for the environment.

Experts’ Maintenance Tips

Tip: The experts recommend routine maintenance. Regular cleaning and knowing what can and can’t be flushed help prevent clogs from building up.

Conclusion: Becoming an Unclogging Master

So, there you have it—that’s how you do it. Unclogging a toilet involves knowing just what tools to be patient with and how to follow simple steps. Always remember to:

See if there is a clog
Plunge well
Get creative with hot water and baking soda when needed
Then, to make use of the auger, if necessary
.
I hope these tips leave you capable and ready for whatever toilet clog may come your way. And remember, should it become too much, you can always solicit help from a professional.

So the next time that aging toilet of yours acts up, take a deep breath, roll up those sleeves, and remember everything you learned today! Happy flushing!