A clogged toilet is not only an inconvenience but can also be an embarrassment. Don’t despair! With the simple tips we’ve provided below we’ll help you fix this awkward situation and move on with your day.
Make sure the toilet is not going to overflow. You’ll need to act quickly if the water in the bowl is rising; either shut off the water behind the toilet or stop the water from entering the bowl from the tank. The first option involves reaching behind the toilet and turning off the valve. The second option, stopping the water from entering the tank, involves taking the lid off the tank and closing the open flapper. No need to worry about the water in the tank, it’s as clean as the water coming from your shower or sink.
The best and easiest way to unclog a toilet is with a plunger. Make sure that you are using a funnel cup plunger, specifically designed for a toilet. Note: Soaking the plunger in hot water will allow it to be more flexible and use rubber gloves if you have them. Place the plunger in the toilet bowl. To start, push down gently to get rid of the air; however, if you do it too forcefully and you’ll get splashed with dirty water! Now you can plunge forcefully, up and down 20-25 times while maintaining the seal. Pull the plunger up, breaking the seal. You should hear a rush of water going down the drain. If this does not work right away, repeat the steps again.
If a plunger is not handy, try baking soda and vinegar. These non-toxic helpers are great cleaning and deodorizing products and are helpful in keeping drains running smoothly. First, add one cup of baking soda to the clogged toilet, wait a couple of minutes and then slowly pour in two cups of vinegar. These two ingredients react and cause bubbles – pour slowly so you don’t have toilet water splashing on you. After several minutes flush the toilet to see if the clog has cleared.
Do not use items like a coat hanger to try to reach the clog. This can easily scratch the bowl, which results in stains and minerals taking hold on the surface and reducing the life of your toilet. Do not use chemical drain cleaners to unclog your toilet. We do not recommend using these types of drain cleaning products as they can damage plumbing and are a chemical burn hazard.
Call a plumber. If your toilet clog is being stubborn, the best and easiest way to remove a clog is to call a plumber. This is especially important if you have a problem fixture that frequently gets clogged.
Michael’s Plumbing, with over 250 years of combined experience, our skilled, friendly plumbers are here to help with any of your plumbing problems, including those pesky, clogged toilets. Give us a call at (407) 219-9772 or contact us online. We realize emergencies don’t always happen at convenient times, so we can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week.