Easy Ways to Unclog a Toilet

Unclogging a toilet is one of the certainties you will have to face in your lifetime. There are many different items that can cause a clog in your bathroom, such as hair, toilet paper, and even razors, jewelry or toys. There are a few simple tricks you can use that will help you loosen up most of these clogs. Just remember not to flush the toilet again once its clogged or you will have a huge mess in your bathroom to clean up!

HOT WATER AND DISHSOAP

One of the most common and easiest ways to loosen a clog in your toilet is by squirting some dish soap into the toilet drain, followed by a large bucket of hot water. This works by raising the temperature of the water surrounding the clog, and may loosen whatever is clogging your pipes enough to let it go free. The dish soap also gives a bit of lubrication during this process. Once you have done this, and the clog is gone, dump another bucket of hot water down the toilet to remove any excess gunk that might have built up in your pipes.

PLUNGING

Plunging is probably the most common way of unclogging a toilet. I can honestly say that I use this method at least once a day in my household. This will not work, unfortunately, if your clog is caused by something like a toy, but if you know that the clog has to be from toilet paper, hair or something else, reach for the plunger! When you use a plunger, make sure there is water covering the ball end. If there isn't enough water in the toilet to do this, you will need to add more water. This will create a better seal and allows for more pressure. Use the plunger firmly and once the water leaves the toilet bowl, you can safely flush the toilet again to make sure the clog is fully removed. After you have plunged the clog away, dump a bucket of hot water down the toilet to release any excess debris that may clog the toilet in the future.

SEWER SNAKE

Another option you can try if neither of the above worked for you is to use a sewer snake. Sewer snakes are coiled wires that can easily move through the pipes of your household plumbing, loosening anything that may be clogging it up. What you need to do is insert one end of the snake into the toilet and work it through until you have reached the clog. Once you have reached the clog, twist and push the sewer snake until you can break through the clog. Once the water begins to drain out you can simply flush the toilet again to remove any excess debris.


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Max Schilling is a local San Francisco plumber. His company has been in business for over 30 years. Any questions or advice you may need to unclog a toilet, trenchless sewer system, or water heater problems, contact one of Max's experienced plumbing assistants at http://www.magicplumbing.com