3 Easy Ways to Unblock Toilets

antony lord • September 4, 2024

3 Easy Ways to Unblock Toilets


Clogged toilets are one of the unfortunate realities of life. Instead of resorting to desperate attempts like flushing again (which often ends in disgusting water pouring onto your bathroom floor), try these eco-friendly methods for clearing away your blockage.

Start by boiling some water. Aim for hot, but not scorching temperatures as this could potentially harm the porcelain surface.



1. Plunger

A toilet plunger is one of the most useful tools in your home and can be an amazingly effective tool in unblocking your toilet. So long as it's not dealing with something hard like toys or something stuck for extended periods, plunging can often break clogs apart. There are even bellows-style plungers which draw air into your toilet to increase force while plunging.

Before plunging begins, ensure the water supply to your toilet has been turned off by accessing and closing its flapper in the cistern tank. Next, take steps to gain a clear view of any clogs or debris present within your bowl by taking these steps: taking away its lid from cistern tank; opening toilet lid to gain full view of debris in bowl; positioning plunger head over drain and vigorously pushing and pulling back up on plunger head until suction is formed - this may require multiple cycles until it works in breaking up clogs before flushing occurs - as you go along this process you should succeed until eventually all debris has been eliminated and flushed away - this could take several pump cycles depending on its complexity.


2. Dish Soap

Dish soap can help unclog a toilet when plungers fail, by loosening up and breaking down blockages to allow easier drain clearance. For best results, choose grease-fighting dish soap.

Before beginning, remove as much water from your bowl as possible to limit exposure and the risk of overflow; and ventilate your bathroom so fumes don't linger. Also ensure you have a bucket and old towel handy so as to catch any potential overflow or spillage that occurs.


Pouring a generous amount of liquid dish soap - approximately 1/4 cup - into your toilet bowl and leaving it there for five to ten minutes can often do the trick in relieving clogs caused by greased pipes. If this method still does not work, add hot water to the bowl, wait a few more minutes, then flush to see if your problem has been solved - otherwise repeat steps 1 and 2. This method works particularly well if there's nothing obvious causing the blockage - particularly helpful if there's something preventing water flow to get through; add hot water as needed until flush time! If this method succeeds then repeat as necessary until flush time. If this works then go back through steps 1 and this step works especially well if clogging caused by grease filled pipes which cause blockages in toilet bowls.


3. Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar work wonderfully to break up and dislodge clogs. Their chemical reaction creates foam which builds pressure to break up clogs while fizzing action helps dislodge larger chunks so your toilet can flush them away more easily.

Pour one cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and then gradually add two cups of vinegar, being careful not to splash or overflow the toilet bowl. Allow this mixture to rest for several minutes before flushing.

As the baking soda and vinegar fizz and bubble, they begin to soften and break down any clogs caused by non-flushable items like hygiene products, paper towels or children's toys. Once broken down, flush your toilet to enjoy clean pipes! For stubborn clogs you could try using a plunger or calling in professional services to assist.


4. Baking Soda

Baking soda and vinegar make an effective duo when it comes to unblocking toilets. When combined, their fizzing reaction helps break down gunk and dislodge clogs more efficiently than chemical drain cleaners - creating an eco-friendly alternative that's also family-friendly.


To use this technique, combine one cup of baking soda with one cup of white vinegar in your toilet bowl and wait 30 minutes before flushing - this allows time for both ingredients to work their magic while providing an opportunity for you to clear away any bubbles with hot water buckets.


Do not forget to clear the area surrounding your toilet, and do not forget your plunger! After giving baking soda and vinegar time to work their magic, use your plunger to break up any remaining clogs or debris in the toilet bowl, before testing water flow to make sure all blockages have been eliminated.

 


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