It’s About to Go Down: Different Ways to Unclog a Toilet

You’d agree with me that the toilet is the most under-appreciated part of a home. And, a clogged toilet (especially one with poop in it) is one of the worst nightmares of a homeowner – and for some weird reasons, it always seems to happen at the worst possible moments. However, blaming your child for flushing one of his socks or crossing your fingers and sending out silent prayers won’t be of much help.

If you want to end this nightmare as soon as possible, try the following solutions.

#1. The Plunging Technique

If your toilet does not flush correctly on the first try, never try to flush it again. As a result, more water will be pushed into the toilet bowl. Instead of removing the toilet tank lid, close the toilet flapper. Closing the flapper (which looks like a round drain stopper attached to a chain) prevents more water from entering the bowl.

If there is any splashing, you can absorb the liquid by placing newspapers or paper towels on the floor. The paper will help with cleaning afterward. To eliminate any smells from the area, use a ventilation fan or open a window.

If the blockage is serious, I recommend putting on a pair of rubber gloves. Although toilets are dirty, a decent pair of rubber cleaning gloves will keep germs away. Oh and it’s best to wear gloves that cover your elbows. You should also put on an old pair of clothes in case things become a little messy.

If you can see the source of the obstruction, reach in and remove it from the toilet. If you can’t clean it with your hands but know it’s due to an object (such as a child’s toy), forgo the plunge and try another method.

It is important to utilize a big, heavy-duty rubber plunger (of excellent quality) at this phase – either ball-shaped or with a fold-out rubber flange on the bottom that provides a seal. Use a tiny, low-cost suction-cup plunger instead. These are often unsuccessful. Remember to run the plunger under hot water before using it. This will soften it and help it to create a seal.

To be effective, the plunger must be completely inserted into the bowl. Water should be poured over the plunger. It is important to push and draw water rather than air through the hole. Fill the dish with water from the sink if required. Start gently at initially since the first dive will drive air into the bowl. To disrupt and dislodge the blockage, push down and then abruptly pull up. Push and pull as hard as you can until the water drains. It may take 15 to 20 cycles to unclog the toilet. Please bear with us. Plunging alone can frequently enough if you’re confident there’s no hard object in the path. It may not work immediately, but it generally works after a few repeated efforts and flushings, with each effort consisting of hundreds of plunge cycles.

If plunging ultimately drains the bowl but the clog continues to block the free flow, leave the plunger in the bowl and refill the bowl with water. Fill it to the level it would be after a typical flush, then plunge once more. If you have tough clogs, this technique may need to be repeated multiple times.

#2. Use Enzyme Products

Step 1: Look for a product that has a mixture of waste-liquefying enzymes. These enzymes are used to break down waste in septic systems. This sort of product is generally found in or near the plumbing aisle of home improvement stores. Enzyme waste removal is better than utilizing a drain-clearing chemical since it is less harmful to your pipes and the environment. Please keep in mind that this approach is only relevant to biological trash and will not work on toys or other things.

Step 2: Follow the instructions on the container. Fill the toilet bowl with the enzyme product in the suggested amount. Typically, you will be instructed to wait overnight for the enzymes to act on the clog. The toilet should normally drain once the obstruction has been removed.

Now, there are simpler and easier solutions that can be adopted. If you want to know more, come back for part 2.