Clogged toilet can be a nightmare and different measures can be taken to unclog a toilet. This article discusses some tried and tested methods that can help you to deal with this issue.
A lot of people are of the opinion, that flushing is the best way to disengage a toilet. However, flushing often makes matters worse. If you realize that your toilet is clogged, you should not flush more than once. One of the easiest ways to disengage is to use a plunger. More often than not it does wonders in unclogging. If that fails, there are some other methods that can be attempted to resolve this issue.
How to Unclog a Toilet?
Proper Way to Plunge Toilet
It is necessary to buy the right type of plunger and equally important to know how to plunge a toilet properly. You can use a ball shaped plunger or one that has a fold-out rubber flange on the bottom. If you have a large plunger, you will need to apply extra force. Begin by inserting the plunger into the bowl and press down firmly, yet slowly. When you press down the plunger, you will have to ensure that the drain hole of the toilet is being covered completely. To know, if you are doing the right thing, check if the plunger is submerged in water. It is necessary that you push and pull with water and not with air. Next, sharply pull the plunger, so that suction is created and then push to create pressure. However, you should not push hard, as it can clog the toilet further. The pressure built by the constant pushing and pulling will help unclog the toilet. However, you will have to repeat the same steps a number of times to ensure that the toilet is indeed clog-free.
Use Dish Soap and Hot Water
Add about 5 tablespoons of common dish soap into the clogged toilet bowl. Let the soap sit for about 5 to 7 minutes. Then pour about a pot of boiling water in the toiler bowl. Thereafter, use the plunger 5 to 7 times to get the desired results.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
You will require about two cups of baking soda and vinegar. Make sure there isn’t too much of water in the toilet bowl. Pour baking soda and vinegar into bowl and let is sit there for sometime before using the plunger a few times. Thereafter, pour hot or normal water in the toilet bowl. Plunge a few times and you will have an unclogged toilet.
Wire Coat Hanger Method
If none of the aforementioned methods seem to give you the desired results, then you may try using a wire coat hanger to unclog the toilet. The first step you will need to take is to unravel the coat hanger, so that the top ends of the hanger are no longer connected. Stick one end of the wire into the drain and twist, push, and maneuver the wire in a circular motion to clear the drain.
Often, using a plunger is enough to unclog a toilet. However, if the problem keeps recurring, you will need to seek the assistance of a professional plumber.