A blocked toilet comes with the horror of the water level in the toilet bowl rising and spilling its content all over. When this happens, the worst mistake you can make is to flush the toilet again and again, which never works. Instead, take time to inspect if there is water backing up the sinks or showers whenever you flush. These symptoms indicate that you need a plumber to attend to the deep clog, often the culprit in a faulty toilet.
Fixing a clogged toilet is an urgent issue that you should address immediately. The quickest solution is to call a licensed plumber to help with a complicated or messy toilet clog. However, there are several tips and tricks that might help you fix a clogged toilet before calling the plumber. While these tips are possibly effective, they will require diligent care in order not to damage the toilet bowl.
If you are experiencing a toilet blockage, the following tips may help you on how to fix a clogged toilet quickly:
Tip #1: Close the toilet flapper.
When faced with a clogged toilet that is about to overflow, you should close the toilet flapper as quickly as possible. The toilet flapper is located within the toilet tank, and you will be able to access it once you take off the tank lid. Closing the flapper will shut off the water supply to toilet bowl, which prevents any more water from going into the already overflowed toilet.
Tip #2: Use hot water.
Adding some hot water helps in loosening the toilet clog by breaking down the waste. If you don’t want to wait out the clog, using hot water is a great option. However, too much hot water could crack the toilet bowl, which is usually brittle and cold. After pouring in a few cups of boiling water, wait for a few minutes and then flush the toilet. Alternatively, after the hot water has sat for a few minutes, use a plunger to push and pull water through the toilet bowl. This should unclog your toilet.
Tip #3: Use a liquid detergent.
You can use a liquid detergent to quickly quick fix a clogged toilet. Liquid detergents get rid of waste more quickly than water alone. The detergents include regular liquid hand soap, shampoos, and liquid dishwashing detergents. Just a few squirts of your favourite detergent should do the trick. After adding the detergent, turn off the water by closing the toilet flapper to prevent potential spillover.
Tip #4: Use a plunger.
There are two commonly used plungers: the standard cup-type and the flange. The standard cup-type is not suitable for unclogging toilets since it does not seal the drain hole properly. The alternative is to use the flange, which has a rubber sleeve that extends below the domed cup section. The plunging should be done in a controlled, vigorous rhythm; downstroke and upstroke. If plunging does not work after several attempts, leave it for a while and try again later.
Tip #5: Use a closet auger or a vacuum hose.
A closet auger, also known as a toilet auger, is designed specifically to accommodate a toilet trap’s sharp turns while keeping the toilet bowl safe from damage. To unclog the toilet, direct the business end of the auger into the drain hole, pointing the bend in the handle pole towards the drain route. Next, crank the handle clockwise, working it in and out to loosen the clog. If the clog is in solid form, crank the auger clockwise to snag the obstructing material, then pull it out of the toilet.
If the closet auger doesn’t work, try using a vacuum that can cope with water. A wet/dry vacuum is highly recommended. To unclog the toilet, first empty the bowl to vacuum out the obstruction. Next, insert the end of the vacuum hose into the drain. To create a seal, wrap a towel around the drain, turn on the vacuum, and let it suck out the clog.
Both the closet auger and the vacuum hose methods can be tricky for beginners to use. Improper handling may possibly complicate the toilet clog. Unless you know what you are doing, it might be best to wait for the plumber’s arrival before proceeding any further.
Tip #6: Wait, and then flush.
If the clog is light, the toilet will unclog by itself after some time. The water in the toilet bowl exerts its own pressure on the clogging material and often clears with time. The key here is to be patient and wait for the clog to clear. After a while, do a flush test to see if the clog has cleared. In most cases, your toilet should revert to normal function.