A clogged toilet is a troublesome situation that can happen to anyone. However, professional help is not always necessary - there are many simple home remedies to quickly and effectively solve this problem.
In the following article, we suggest how to unclog a toilet quickly and effectively. You'll also learn what to do to prevent similar situations in the future.
How to Unclog a Clogged Toilet?
A blocked toilet is a big problem, especially if an unpleasant odor is coming from it. Furthermore, when the flush is activated, the contents dangerously rise to the rim of the toilet. Keep calm! When this happens, you don't have to call for help immediately.
Initially, it's worth trying home remedies for a blocked drain. The most commonly used methods include:
- hot water,
- a mixture of baking soda and vinegar,
- chemical products,
- a WC plunger,
- a plastic bottle,
- a wire hanger.
How to Unclog a Toilet Bowl with Hot Water?
This is probably the simplest way to unclog a toilet, which is worth trying first. The toilet pipe may be blocked due to deposits forming inside. A blockage can result from fatty waste, which over time, adheres to the pipe, narrowing the flow of water. Many people make the basic mistake of throwing food scraps into the toilet, which is one of the most common causes of a clogged toilet.
How to tackle the problem? Simply pour water into a large pot and bring it to a boil. Next, carefully transfer the pot to the toilet and slowly pour its contents into the bowl. Hot water should handle the blockage, allowing waste to flow freely into the sewage system. Additionally, you can add dishwashing liquid to the hot water, which effectively dissolves fatty deposits.
Baking Soda for Unclogging Pipes
Baking soda is one of the most important cleaning ingredients in many homes, especially when combined with vinegar. This mixture is also effective for unclogging a toilet bowl. Pour a few tablespoons of baking soda into the toilet, then add half a glass of vinegar.
A vigorous chemical reaction will occur, accompanied by the release of a large amount of foam. The bubbles created during this reaction effectively detach dirt from the bowl and the pipe wall, allowing the soda-vinegar mixture to tackle the clogged toilet. When the water in the toilet stops fizzing, flush the water and check if the method was effective. If necessary, repeat the process and leave the mixture in the bowl for at least half an hour.
Chemical Products for a Clogged Toilet
If the above home methods didn't work, you can try special toilet cleaning agents. These are products containing sodium hydroxide, which is considered a very effective cleansing agent. You can try unclogging the toilet with Kret (probably the most popular product on the market) - it is available in liquid or granule form.
To unclog a toilet with Kret, simply pour or sprinkle the appropriate amount of the product into the blocked drain and then cover it with warm water. The exact method of using the liquid is described on the packaging.
Note! It's worth mentioning that Kret is a highly corrosive product, so it's best to wear rubber gloves when using it. Keep the product out of the reach of children.
How to Unclog a Toilet with a Bottle?
Besides water and chemical products, proven mechanical methods can be used. If you don't have a rubber toilet plunger in your household, you can try other methods - for instance, using a bottle. How to unclog a toilet pipe with a bottle? It's very simple:
- take a regular plastic bottle of one and a half liters (like one used for water or drinks),
- cut off the bottom of the bottle and make several incisions along the sides - to a depth of a few centimeters,
- screw the cap back on,
- place the bottom of the bottle over the drain,
- press the bottle firmly, using it in an up-and-down motion.
The action of the plastic bottle is identical to that of a plunger. The resulting vacuum should remove the blockage.
How to Unclog a Toilet Clogged with Paper?
If you're wondering how to unclog a toilet blocked with toilet paper, a wire hanger might be a good idea to start with. After bending it, you'll have a simple tool that can reach the blockage in the pipe.
Slightly bent at the end, the hanger will allow you to remove the toilet paper or other objects causing the blockage. However, be careful not to push the blockage further, as this could effectively block the entire drain pipe. You'll address the blockage by pulling out any paper pieces and the like.
What to Do When Water Overflows from a Clogged Toilet?
Since you now know how to unclog a blocked WC, let's move on to solving the next problem. It might happen that water starts spilling from the clogged toilet.
First, turn off the valve to prevent the bathroom from flooding. Before you start unclogging the toilet, remove the water from the bowl using any container, cup, glass, or similar item.
The cause of the leak could be a broken seal, cistern, or a blockage located deeper, in a more difficult-to-access section of the drain. If the source of the problem is a clogged drain pipe, seek assistance from a professional. If the issue is with the seal or cistern, you can replace them yourself.
Common Causes of Toilet Blockages
If you want to avoid panicking and looking for a way to unclog a toilet, take preventive measures beforehand. One of the most common causes of blockages is an excess of toilet paper. If there are children in the house, make sure to remind them of this.
The most common cause of a blocked toilet is:
- paper towels,
- cotton pads,
- cotton swabs,
- wet intimate hygiene wipes,
- food products or meal leftovers,
- others.
How to Prevent a Toilet from Getting Clogged?
To prevent the toilet from getting clogged:
- do not throw any items not designed for usage in toilets;
- clean the WC regularly;
- occasionally use cleaning agents that help break down solid contaminants.
What Not to Throw into the Toilet?
We hope that the methods presented in the above article for dealing with a clogged toilet will help you tackle the problem on your own. However, remember that if none of the home methods work, professional help will be necessary - the problem is likely more severe than you think.