No one’s safe from a clogged toilet— it’s one of the most common plumbing setbacks that can happen to anyone. But, despite experiencing it more often than any other plumbing troubles, the stress and inconvenience of dealing with a clogged toilet never changes. It’s still that troublesome plumbing issue you’d never want to deal with!
Good thing there are proven toilet unclogging techniques you can learn to ease your usual burden. Cornwell Plumbing lets you in on some effective unclogging tricks in this blog.
Assess the Clog
Before you start going full-force with your tools, take a quick look at the situation. If the water’s rising and looks like it’s about to spill over, don’t flush again! That could make the mess even worse. Instead, grab some towels or rags to soak up any excess water. Once the mess is under control, check the clog. If the water’s draining slowly, it’s probably a minor blockage. But if it’s not draining at all, you might have a more stubborn clog deeper down.
Use a Plunger
Your trusty plunger is usually your best companion against most types of clogs. It’s simple, easy, and can work wonders, especially for toilet clogs.
Make sure the plunger’s covering the hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl. Then, give it a few solid plunges—pushing down gently at first, then pulling up with a little more force. Repeat this about 15-20 times, and you should start to feel the clog loosen.
Give it a test flush. If the water drains without any issues, congratulations! You’ve cleared the clog. If it’s still not working, don’t worry—you have more tricks up your sleeve.
Use a Toilet Auger
If the plunger isn’t cutting it, it’s time to break out the big guns: the toilet auger (or plumber’s snake). This tool can reach deeper into the pipes and tackle clogs that are way down in the plumbing.
Insert the auger into the toilet and start pushing it down. Twist the handle as you go, and you’ll feel it break through the clog. Once you’ve cleared the blockage, slowly pull the auger back out. You’ll probably see some debris on the coil, which you can dispose of.
The auger is perfect for those clogs that just won’t budge with a plunger.
Dish Soap and Boiling Water
If you think the clog might be caused by paper or waste, try dish soap and hot water.
Pour a good amount of dish soap and let it sit for up to 15 minutes in the toilet bowl. This will help lubricate the pipes and soften up the clog. While you’re waiting, boil a kettle of water. Once the soap has had some time to work, slowly pour the boiling water into the bowl from waist height. The hot water helps break up the clog and push it through the pipes.
Let it sit for a little while, then try flushing. If all goes well, the clog should be gone!
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Still stuck? Move to yet another natural unclogging mixture— the time-tested baking soda and vinegar trick. It’s a classic, dynamic duo known as an effective clog solution.
Pour at least one cup of baking soda and add in another cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl. You’ll see it fizz and bubble—that’s a good sign of the mixture working! Let it rest up to half an hour before flushing. The fizzing helps break up any debris that’s clogging up your pipes.
It’s simple, it’s cheap, and it’s safe for your pipes!
Book a Plumber
So, you’ve tried the plunger, the auger, the dish soap, and maybe even the vinegar and baking soda… but your toilet is still clogged? Don’t worry—sometimes what you need is expert help.
If the clog is really stubborn or deep, it’s time to call in the experts. Plumbers have the right tools and know-how to get your toilet back to normal in no time. They can handle all the tricky plumbing issues you might not want to deal with yourself.
Tackle Your Clogged Toilet Fast and Mess-Free With Cornwell Plumbing’s Popular Toilet Repair Service
Clogs are always burdensome, and they will only become more troubling if you don’t address them on time. Always equip yourself with the basic unclogging skills to have a strong first line of defense against blocked pipes. To further strengthen your defense, have a reliable plumber on call should your personal unclogging methods prove ineffective.
At Cornwell Plumbing, we’re equipped to handle all types of clogs no matter how severe they may be. When your DIY toilet unclogging tricks fail, you can turn to our tested clogged toilet repair service for fast and long-lasting relief. We are on standby to deliver expert unclogging solutions without delays.
Don’t let a clogged toilet bring more mess to your home—call Cornwell Plumbing and we’ll take care of it for you!
Andrew and Austin Cornwell stepped into leadership, bringing with them not just their plumbing licenses and two decades of experience each, but a vision for even better customer service.
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