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Mar 14, 2009 · Licensed Master Plumber teaches you how to unclog a toilet in 11 seconds with a simple plunger. Most people do this wrong. You can get a plunger like the one shown here from Amazon (link...
- 3 min
- 5M
- Basic Plumbing Repair
The Steps to How to Unclog a Toilet: Step One: Obtain the bottle of dishwashing liquid from the kitchen and squirt a generous amount into the bottom of the toilet bowl. Step Two: Fill a bucket...
- 4 min
- 4.9M
- DIYForKnuckleheads
How to unclog a clogged toilet. Showing the proper use of a plunger and toilet auger on a plugged toilet.
- 4 min
- 2.5M
- Pros DIY
- Overview
- Plunging the Toilet
- Using a Toilet Brush (Plumber Recommendatio
- Using an Unclogging Product
- Making a Drain Cleaner
- Making a Wire Coat Hanger Snake
- Using a Plumbing Snake
- Utilizing a Wet/Dry Vacuum
- Using a Chemical Drain Cleaner
- Clean Up Tips
Learn the most effective way to unclog your toilet whether you have a plunger handy or not
Plunging your way out of the situation
Insert the plunger into the toilet bowl.
Make sure the plunger completely covers the hole.
so that you can push and pull water through the opening, not air.
Add water from the bathroom sink to the bowl if there isn’t enough water to cover the plunger.
Running the plunger under hot water can soften it, which can help it create a better seal.
Hopefully your plunger has an “extension flange.” This is the rubber extension after the bell-shaped part of your plunger and it’s designed to better fit the toilet opening.
If you don't have a plunger on hand, plumber James Schuelke recommends using a toilet brush instead.
Insert the toilet brush into the toilet bowl.
Do your best to get the toilet brush to cover the porthole of the toilet.
Move the brush back and forth inside of the porthole, as you would a plunger.
According to James, it helps if there is some water in the bowl.
If you are successful with this method, the toilet will begin to drain.
Purchase an enzyme waste removal product.
Look for a product that contains a mixture of enzymes that liquify waste materials. These enzymes are used in septic systems to break down waste.
Products of this sort can usually be purchased at home improvement stores in or near the plumbing aisle. Enzyme waste removal is preferable to using a drain-clearing chemical because it will not harm your pipes or the environment.
This method will only work on organic waste, not toys or other objects.
Follow the instructions on the container.
Pour the recommended amount of the enzyme product into the toilet bowl. You will typically be instructed to wait overnight for the enzymes to go to work on the clog.
Maybe you don’t have a plunger or the idea of plunging a clogged toilet with waste in it has you squeamish. If so, you should consider a homemade drain cleaner.
If your toilet tends to clog easily as the result of trying to flush too much waste, using a combination of hot water, baking soda and vinegar will often do the job as well as a commercial drain cleaner.
This method works better for clogs from waste and not clogs caused by hard obstructions like a toy and requires more time than plunging. Here’s how to do it:
Heat half a gallon of water.
Boil half a gallon of water, then let it cool for a moment while you add other ingredients to the toilet bowl.
Use at least half a gallon. A small amount of water won't work, since it won't have enough force to push through the clog.
Unravel and straighten a wire coat hanger.
Then wrap the end of the wire with a rag. Use duct tape to keep the rag in place. This will prevent the sharp end from damaging the porcelain in your toilet. The wire hanger method will generally work only if there is an obstruction in the first few inches of the drain.
Stick the wrapped end of the wire into the drain.
Once the wire is in the drain, twist it, push it, and maneuver it in a circular motion to clear the drain. If you can feel the obstruction, push against it. Keep going until the water begins to drain.
Make sure you're wearing rubber gloves as you do this. You may get splashed as you move the wire around.
If you can't feel an obstruction, and the toilet won't drain, the clog must be out of reach of the hanger. Try the plumbing snake method to clear it.
If the above methods aren’t working, it’s time to step it up with the use of a real plumbing snake.
Purchase or borrow a plumbing snake.
A plumbing snake (also sometimes called a "flexible cleaning tool" or "auger") is a flexible coil of wire that can "snake" through the curves of a drain and get deeper than a wire can. The best snake is a "closet auger" which is designed specifically to clear toilet clogs without damaging or staining the bowl.
Insert one end of the snake into the drain.
Push down, feeding the snake further into the drain until you feel an obstruction.
Twist and push the snake through the obstruction.
Buy or borrow a wet/dry vacuum.
If you have tried plunging and snaking to no avail, consider using a wet/dry vacuum. Do not use an ordinary vacuum cleaner––it must be the wet/dry variety that can cope with water.
Empty the water out of the bowl using the vacuum.
The bowl must be free of water and any other debris in order to vacuum out the obstruction.
Place the end of the vacuum hose into the drain and turn on the vacuum.
Push it into the toilet bowl a few inches into the hole. Use just the flexible hose, rather than an attachment. Coil an old towel around the hole to create a seal around the drain. There’s a good chance the vacuum can suck out the clog.
Another option to consider is
They are easy to use and widely available, but there are some things to consider before use. Many of these drain cleaners are toxic to humans and damaging to the environment.
If the drain cleaner is not successful at removing the clog, you now have a toilet bowl full of toxic chemicals. This would limit your ability to plunge the toilet safely as these chemicals can splash up at you and cause harm. Here’s how to use this method:
Purchase a chemical drain cleaner.
They're available at most grocery, hardware, and "big box" stores.
Only use chemical drain cleaners that are specifically made for toilets. Using other drain cleaners may damage your toilet.
A used plunger (especially flange plungers) may still have water inside of it after plunging. Keep it over the toilet, turn it a bit, and shake it slightly to drain it so it won't drip on the floor.
Disinfect the toilet bowl with a disinfectant cleaner after you've cleared the clog.
Dispose of the wire (if used) and disinfect or dispose of the rubber gloves and any other tools (such as a plunger or snake) that you used. These tools can spread germs and start to stink if not properly cleaned.
It’s best to mop and clean your bathroom after plunging a toilet. Even if you didn’t see and splash back out of the bowl.
2 days ago · Unclogging a toilet is a necessity that needs to be quickly addressed. Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to do it yourself.
Jun 22, 2017 · How to unclog a toilet fast with simple tips from the experts at The Family Handyman. Travis Larson demonstrates how even a home repair rookie can use a plun...
- 4 min
- 171.3K
- Family Handyman
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Aug 25, 2024 · Caused by excessive toilet paper, mineral buildup, stuck non-flushable items, or tree roots in sewer lines, a clogged toilet is one of the most common and stressful plumbing problems homeowners face. If not addressed quickly, it can lead to messy overflows and potential water damage.
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