Toilet clogs often happen at the worst possible time. Knowing the steps to take is an excellent place to start, whether your plumbing is generally unreliable or you’ve never had to deal with a clog before. If you’re prepared and have all the necessary knowledge, resolving a blocked toilet might be easier than you’d think.
Want to know what to do when your toilet won’t unclog? We’ve covered some of the key pointers you can try below.
Try A Plunger
If you don’t yet have a plunger at home, now is the time to invest in one. This piece of equipment may be on the basic side, but it can be handy for clearing a clog as quickly as possible. A plunger with a flange is designed for toilets, providing the best seal to clear a blockage.
To use your plunger, you’ll need to place it in the toilet bowl and gently push it down. This movement eliminates air, creating the tight seal needed for unclogging. Once the first step is complete, you can pump the plunger up and down with greater force before pulling it up and breaking the seal, loosening the clog enough to allow it to move through the system.
Mix Vinegar And Baking Soda
Vinegar and baking soda are the ideal household combination of non-toxic cleaning materials to try and fix clogs. Start with a cup of baking soda, pouring it into the blocked toilet, before adding twice as much vinegar. When mixed, these cleaners create a fizzing, bubbling reaction that can help to loosen clogs and debris.
If your toilet bowl is filled with water, pouring the mixture in slowly can help to avoid overflow. This method can also take a few minutes to work, so giving it a little time before you move on to another technique is essential. As vinegar and baking soda are non-toxic, they don’t create harmful fumes or require ventilation to be used safely.
Try Hot Water And Soap
Hot water can be an effective way to break up blockages of organic matter. The ideal method is to boil a pan full of water and then allow it to cool slightly. Adding a small amount of dish soap can also help break down grease and other materials, leaving your toilet free of clogs.
Once the water is hot but not boiling, carefully pour it into the toilet and add your soap. Leave it for ten to fifteen minutes to give the hot water time to work. After this, you can try flushing the toilet to see if the clog has resolved.
Invest In A Toilet Snake
A toilet snake is a specialised, bendable tool that you can use to move the clog in the toilet using your hands indirectly. While this method can be a little messy, it directly affects the blockage itself, helping you to shift it little by little. This method provides easier access than others for clogs that are deeper than the toilet bowl.
It’s vital that you only use a proper toilet snake to attempt to clear a clog. DIY options like coat hangers or wires can easily damage and scratch your toilet, especially around the bowl itself. Investing in a toilet snake as a backup method for future clogs is also a good idea.
Use Household Bleach To Break Down Clogs
Household bleach is designed to break down waste, grease and fat with greater strength than dish soap. For this method, you can use any cleaning or toilet bleach. Pour the equivalent of a few cups of bleach into the toilet bowl and leave it to work.
After ten to fifteen minutes, you can try flushing your toilet to see if the blockage has cleared. If you’re using bleach, it’s crucial that the bathroom is well-ventilated and that you are inhaling as few fumes as possible.
Bring In The Professionals
If all else fails, calling in a professional plumber is the ideal solution to a badly clogged toilet. In some cases, doing it yourself at home won’t lead to your toilet getting unclogged, and rather than try unsafe chemicals or more in-depth solutions, leaving it to the experts is your best bet. Not only will your toilet be unclogged faster, but you won’t need to try and handle the messy part of unclogging yourself.
Our team at O'Brien Plumbing Maroochydore provides expert plumbing services across the Sunshine Coast, including fixing blocked toilets. Contact us on (07) 5493 7330 to book an appointment with our friendly local team or get a free quote for our plumbing services.
