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How to Unblock a Toilet

Encountering a blocked toilet can be a household inconvenience, but fear not – we’ve got your solution! In this comprehensive guide on how to unblock a toilet, we’ll delve into seven tried-and-tested methods to help you tackle the issue effectively.

Whether you’re dealing with organic matter, grease, or other common causes, our guide covers the steps on how to fix a blocked toilet, ensuring you can confidently navigate through the process and restore normalcy to your bathroom routine. Stay tuned as we explore these practical techniques and equip you with the knowledge to address a blocked toilet with ease.

Identify the Type of the Blockage

A sign that a blockage is forming is the water draining slowly from the toilet. When you notice this, do not wait for the toilet to become completely obstructed. It is much easier to unblock it early on.

The second type of stoppage is when, after flushing the toilet, the water in the bowl is very little or there is none at all. This means that there is an issue with the air circulation in the waste pipe.

Lastly, there is the complete blockage which is identified by how the water level in the toilet bowl keeps rising towards the brim and does not drain away. If you have this type of obstruction, move as much water as possible from the bowl into a separate bucket and avoid the temptation to flush again, otherwise, you risk having to deal with water spilling everywhere and a much bigger mess.

If you are having trouble identifying the type of blockage, call a plumber to deal with your blocked toilet in London.

Note: A blockage in a toilet macerator or waste outlet needs diagnosing the root of the problem and application of unblocking methods different from those used for standard toilets. Your best bet is to contact a Saniflo plumber who will help you remove the blockage hassle-free way.

How to Unblock a Toilet with a Plunger

Firstly, we will look at a simple and effective way to unblock a toilet with a plunger. Follow these steps:

1. Prepare the area

Place old towels and newspapers around the toilet bowl to protect the floor from any overspill, splashes or drips. Save your best towels for another time. It might be a good idea to have a bucket waiting on standby, should the case to pull up rather than pushing down a blockage arise. Use rubber gloves and wear old clothes to protect yourself.

2. Prevent overflows

To ensure that no overflowing nightmares happen that day, you will need to turn the shutoff valve. Look for it on the pipe coming off the wall behind the toilet. Turn it clockwise and make sure not to accidentally break it if it is not budging and you use too much strength. You can spray a little penetrating oil on the valve to loosen it. 

If that doesn’t work or you have an older toilet that doesn’t have a shutoff valve, deal with either the float or the flapper inside the water tank. Don’t worry, the water inside the tank is the same as the one that comes out of the tap. 

The float is the large ball-like or balloon-like element that sinks down when the water level drops and opens the water valve to fill up the tank. You can use something to keep it upright. Alternatively, you can close the flapper. That is the circular drain stopper attached to a chain. Doing either of these three options will prevent water from filling up the tank after you have flushed.

3. Double-check your plunger

Before proceeding with the plunger, double-check if you can remove the obstruction manually if it is a child’s toy or another object. If that is not the case, then it is time to pick up the plunger. Make sure you are using the correct one: a plunger that has a rubber flange that can fold back up into the suction cup when not in use is for toilets; a plunger without one is for sinks. Using the wrong instrument will make the job more difficult and time-consuming since you won’t have a tight seal around the hole. To make the plunger even more effective, you can soften the rubber by soaking it in hot water for a few minutes. 

Before you start plunging, make sure the plunger is submerged in water and it is completely covering the pipe. You can add water from the sink to the toilet bowl to achieve the best results.

4. It’s time to plunge

Start by slowly and firmly pushing down to create a seal and then pulling up sharply to dislodge the obstruction. When you pick up the pace, you will notice the water starting to drain. It usually takes at least 15 minutes to unclog a toilet. 

When draining, some water may dislodge and push forward the blockage. If it doesn’t, then fill up the toilet bowl with water to its usual level again and repeat the process. Some stubborn clogs containing hair or wet wipes may require a couple of rounds of plunging.

5. Clean your tools

Once you are done, it is important to give your tool a good clean. The best way is to pour some bleach and washing liquid into the toilet bowl and swirl the plunger for a few minutes in the mixture. Then rinse it by flushing the toilet twice. This will also help move the blockage forward.

Unblocking Your Toilet with a Drain Auger

A toilet auger (also known as a closet auger, drain auger and plumber’s snake) is essentially a long, flexible cable, which has a handle on one end and a corkscrew-shaped tip on the other. It also has a rubber covering that protects the toilet bowl from scratches. Follow these steps to find out how to unclog a toilet with a snake:

1. Insert the cable into the toilet

Start by inserting the auger into the toilet and positioning the curved part of the instrument at the curved part of the toilet bowl. If you can still see the cable, then you need to push the auger further in.

2. Rotate the handle until the blockage is clear

Hold the auger housing in one hand and rotate the handle slowly with the other. Make sure you don’t use too much force as this could backfire and make the cable coil back. Turn the handle patiently in one direction until you get some resistance. When you feel like it cannot go any further, then it is safe to assume that you have reached the blockage.

If the cork-screw tip perforates the blockage, you can pull the cable out along with the obstruction. Alternatively, the tip can break the obstruction into smaller pieces, which can then be flushed away safely.

3. Get the cable out

If the cable can go in deeper than before and there is no resistance anymore, pull it out by rotating in the opposite direction.

4. Test and repeat when necessary

To check if you have cleared the blockage, flush the toilet a couple of times. If the water is not draining properly, repeat the process.

When you are done with the auger, wipe it or wash it and let it dry on its own, but never store it wet, otherwise it will become rusty.

Use a Coat Hanger When Unblocking a Toilet

To use this method, you would need a wire coat hanger or, better yet, one with a plastic covering. Wire coat hangers are pliable enough to bend out of shape into a curve, and the plastic-covered ones will not scratch your toilet. If you only have a simple wire coat hanger, wrap some tape or an old rag around it to protect the toilet bowl.

Insert the makeshift instrument into the drain and manoeuvre it to remove the clog. If you feel the obstruction, push against it and if you are lucky, you will see the water starting to drain properly. On the other hand, you might find it difficult to reach a blockage using this method. This means that the stoppage is further down the drain.

Using Washing-up Liquid to Unblock a Toilet

Unblocking a toilet using washing-up liquid is a particularly effective way to unblock a toilet without a plunger, especially if the blockage is only partial or caused by organic matter, grease, or soap scum. Squirt a generous amount of washing liquid, approximately half a cup to one cup, into the toilet bowl. This soap serves to break down grease and aids in loosening the blockage.

Follow this by pouring hot water, not boiling, into the toilet bowl. Use about a bucket’s worth of hot water to complement the washing liquid. Allow the mixture of soap and hot water to sit in the toilet bowl for at least 10 to 15 minutes. This gives the soap time to work on breaking down the blockage effectively.

Once you’ve plunged and feel the blockage has cleared, flush the toilet to check if the water drains properly. If the blockage persists, you can repeat the process.

Unblock Your Toilet with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Pouring down baking soda and vinegar can be a great way to unblock a badly blocked toilet. When it comes to unblocking a toilet or a sink, and you know that the obstruction is not a solid object, then you can use baking soda and vinegar as an easy, cheap and fast solution to your troubles. 

Before using baking soda and vinegar to unclog your toilet, make sure the water level in the bowl is not too high and, if necessary, remove any surplus water. After that, pour one cup of baking soda and one to two cups of white vinegar into the toilet bowl. These two common home items together will create a fizzing effect that aids in breaking down and removing the obstruction. 

To give the mixture time to take effect on the blockage, let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes. To further dislodge the clog, carefully pour a large pot of hot (not boiling) water into the toilet bowl. To check whether the obstruction has cleared, flush the toilet. If the water drains smoothly, you’ve successfully unclogged your toilet.

The mixture works best to unblock clogs caused by too much waste. However, if you have a septic tank or a cesspit, it is not recommended to use this method because it might disrupt the enzymes that make them work properly. This quick and simple homemade trick works the same way when you are dealing with blocked drains, as well.

Use a Wet-dry Vacuum Cleaner to Unclog a Toilet

When you’re dealing with a tricky toilet blockage, using a wet-dry vacuum cleaner can actually do the trick. If you’ve got one that’s designed to handle water, give it a shot. First off, use the vacuum to get rid of the water in the toilet bowl and make sure to dispose of it properly. Once the bowl is empty, slide the vacuum hose down the toilet, going into the U-bend. To seal the deal, wrap a towel around the toilet bowl, securing it to the vacuum tube. This way, the vacuum might just have enough suction to pull that pesky blockage free.

Unblock a Toilet Using Commercial Products

If all else fails, you can either call a plumber or try using a commercial toilet unblocker to unblock a toilet. They are certified to liquefy materials. This will only work if the blockage is not caused by a hard object. There are two options: enzyme-based and chemical-based drain cleaners. Enzyme products are safer for the environment and for your drains. If you choose to unblock your toilet with a chemical drain cleaner, follow the instructions on the container since these chemicals are often toxic.

Disclaimer: These products are not suitable for septic tanks. There are certain septic-safe drain cleaners on the market that would prevent system damage.

Why Does Your Toilet Keep Blocking

There are three main reasons your toilet keeps blocking:

  • The first one is that you have an older, low-flow toilet, which lacks the necessary pressure to clear out the drain and the trap. In that case, you may need to replace your toilet or stop throwing your toilet paper in the toilet.
  • The second reason is flushing non-flushable items, such as baby wipes, cotton products, sanitary pads, toys, and others.
  • The third and most common cause of repeated blockages is that toilet paper and limescale have built up over time.

How to Prevent Toilet Clogs

Here are some simple tips to prevent toilet clogs:

  • Clean the toilet regularly to remove limescale build-up
  • Avoid flushing non-flushable items
  • Do not flush large quantities of toilet paper
  • Watch out for construction materials during repairs and renovations
  • Be mindful of children’s toys
  • Keep clear of falling objects, such as shampoos, soap, combs, tampons, or if unavoidable, keep the lid closed
  • Do not flush food products, especially whole foods
  • Get rid of hard water problems and horrendous water-related damage with water softener installation.

Trying it all and your toilet still keeps blocking? Maybe it’s time to consider emergency plumbing services before any expensive damages occur.

Key Takeaways

  • Early Identification is Key: Recognize signs of toilet blockages early, such as slow drainage, low water levels, or complete obstruction, to address issues promptly.
  • Effective Plunging Techniques: Proper plunger use involves preparation, overflow prevention, and gradual plunging for successful unclogging.
  • DIY: Explore alternative methods like drain augers and natural solutions before resorting

No matter which you choose, always take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your toilet. If you are not feeling up to the task, leave it to the professionals and call a plumber right away!

How to Unblock a Toilet

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