The Best Ways to Unblock a Toilet
Posted on: 13/03/2023
Things like a blocked toilet are one of the most unfavourable moments you can experience, especially when you are expecting guests!
There’s no need to get flustered though, there are some easy ways to help you unblock a toilet. One of the easiest ways to tackle this is with a plunger. If this doesn’t work, then you will have to try one of the techniques below.
How to unblock a toilet
A lot of people think that flushing a toilet is the best way to proceed when unblocking a toilet. However, it is not so. If you realise that your toilet is blocked, you should not flush more than once. If you wonder what to use to unblock a toilet then the answer is a toilet plunger. More often than not it does wonders to unblock a toilet. We will now see the different methods which can be used to unblock a toilet
The proper way to plunge a blocked toilet
It’s important to know the proper way to plunge a blocked toilet and that you have the right plunger for the job, you can either use a common sink plunger (cup plunger), this is what usually comes to mind when people think of plungers, or a coopers plunger which has a flat disk at the end. Now that you have the right plunger, insert the plunger into the bowl and press down firmly, yet slowly. When you press down the plunger you will have to ensure that the drain hole in the toilet is completely covered with the plunger. To know if you are doing the right thing, check if the plunger is submerged in water. It is necessary that you push and pull with water and not with air. Next, sharply pull up on the plunger so that suction is created, then push to create pressure. However, you should not push hard as it can clog the toilet further. With the constant pressure, due to push and pull action, it will disturb the blockage in both directions, and eventually, it will be flushed down. However, you may have to repeat the same steps several times to ensure that the toilet is indeed clog-free.
How to unblock a toilet with washing up liquid and hot water
This is one of the best ways to unblock a toilet. You will require a little washing-up liquid and hot water. Add about 5 tablespoons of common washing-up liquid to the blocked toilet bowl. Now let the washing-up liquid sit there for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then pour a large pan of boiling water into the toilet bowl. After you have done this use the plunger method above. This same method could be used to unblock a clogged drain.
How to unblock a toilet with baking soda and vinegar
You will require some white vinegar and about two cups of baking soda or bicarbonate of soda (not baking powder). Baking soda and baking powder have different reactions when mixed with vinegar due to their different properties. Make sure there isn’t too much water in the toilet bowl. If there is, you may have to remove some of the water with an old teacup or measuring jug (something with a handle). First, add the baking soda, then slowly add as much white vinegar as you have. Remember, this is going to bubble and fizz like crazy (remember school science lessons?) so do it slowly or you’ll have both a blocked and overflowing toilet. Let it sit there for a while. Then use a plunger a few times. After this, you can pour boiling water into the toilet bowl. Plunge a few more times and you will have an unblocked toilet.
How to unblock a toilet with a wire coat hanger
If you don’t have a plunger and your next question is “How to unblock a toilet without a plunger” then, this is the technique that you may want to use if none of the previous methods seems to give you the desired result. You will require a wire coat hanger for this method. A semi-ridged length of electrical wire will also be acceptable. You might want to grab a pair of rubber gloves for this technique also. The first step you will need to do is unravel the coat hanger, so the top ends of the coat hanger are no longer connected. Stick one end of the wire into the toilet bowl. Then twist, push and manoeuvre the wire in a circular motion to clear the drain.
Note: If you have a flexible plastic toilet pan connector connecting to the soil/drain pipe then this method would not be suitable as the thin plastic connector can be damaged by the rough end of the coat hanger or wire.
You will have to decide what is the best way to unclog a toilet in your case, In most cases, the plunger method is the best, cleanest, and least damaging way to unclog a toilet, but in some cases, you will have to use the wire coat hanger method.
