How to unclog a toilet + 6 tips

How to unclog a toilet + 6 tips, It’s never an ideal situation: You’re dealing with a quick trip to the bathroom and then a single flush and, boom, a clogged drain, or – much worse – an almost overflowing toilet. If you find yourself without a piston or using a piston doesn’t work, consider your unclogging options before hiring a plumber near me service. There are many ways to fix the problem of toilet overflow or clogging, and most of them need nothing more than items you already have in your bathroom or kitchen cabinets. Read on to learn how to fix a clogged toilet (and be sure to wear protective gloves).

Heat wave

The best thing you can do when you notice a bad blockage is to fill a pan with hot water. How to unclog a toilet, Heat on the stove or use the faucet, but don’t let the water come to a boil. Pour it down the drain and let it sit for a few minutes to see if it loosens the clog. If you see that the water begins to drain, you will know whether your efforts were successful or not. Then, flush the toilet once or twice. In most cases, hot water is enough to break up whatever is causing the backup.

Dish Tax

If you need to speed up the unclogging process a bit more, borrow some dish soap from the kitchen and spray a generous amount (about 1/4 cup) into the toilet bowl. Let the soap sit for 5 to 10 minutes so it has time to go down the drain and reach the clog. Next, add hot water (again, not boiling water) to the bowl and wait a bit for it to settle. In most cases, dishwashing liquid acts as a lubricant and lubricates the clog in the toilet drain to get everything moving again.

Gas Correction

It’s time to channel what you’ve learned in elementary school science! If your toilet is full to the brim, either empty some of the water or be prepared to overflow a bit. Next, pour one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar down the toilet drain. When vinegar and baking soda combine, the natural chemical reaction will lather and loosen the blockage. After about thirty minutes, follow up with some hot water and see if it drains. If so, you’re good to go. If not, repeat the process one more time.

Brush War

This may seem a little unpleasant, but if you are in a really difficult situation and the piston is not in sight, take a toilet brush and point the bristles towards the drain. Pumping it up and down a few times should be enough to loosen everything so the clog clears up immediately. (If you want a handy piston for your next clog, you can find our recommended pistons here.)

Auxiliary Hanger

If you don’t have access to a drain snake, you can make your own using the wire coat hanger in your closet. Unfold the sling so that it is completely flat except for the hook. Then, to prevent scratching or damaging the porcelain, wrap a small cloth around the hook and, wearing rubber gloves, gently tilt the hanger down the drain until you find the blockage. When the water starts to drain, flush the toilet several times to empty it.

bath bomb

Don’t run out to buy drano, instead, create your own DIY declog remover by mixing the following ingredients: 2 cups baking soda, 1/4 cup Epsom salt, and 8-10 tablespoons dishwashing liquid (add one tablespoon at a time). Pour the mixture into individual muffin molds, then leave to dry and harden overnight. Throw one in the toilet the next morning, add four glasses of water, and let it sit for a few hours to see results.

Vacuum Valve

Last resort: Rent a wet/dry vacuum from your local hardware store; Again, don’t try this with a regular vacuum cleaner. First, use it to empty the water in the bowl. Next, wrap the hose in an old rag to seal it, then stick the wet/dry vacuum cleaner a few inches down the drain. When you open the vacuum cleaner, it should absorb the clog. Again, don’t forget the rubber gloves!