Image by Gold Medal from Flickr
It is one of the worst feelings in the world when you clog a toilet. You’re standing there, watching water rise and panicking, hoping it won’t overflow.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do (once you’ve turned off the water valve to the toilet!) to clear the blockage. Here are some tips and tricks, including some ideas you may not have thought of yourself.
Make Sure You’re Using the Right Plunger
It’s embarrassing, but there are a lot of people who don’t know that there are different types of plungers for different purposes.
If you’re not using a toilet plunger, you’re going to have a very hard time unplugging the toilet! Many people will get confused and buy a sink plunger, which is much less effective. In fact, it may not make any headway on your clog at all.
An accordion plunger is a better option, but it can be challenging to get it lined up properly over the hole. A regular toilet plunger is the best all-around option.
What if There’s No Plunger?
What if you don’t have a plunger nearby, or worse, you’re at someone else’s house? You can still clear the clog discreetly.
First, put hot water in the toilet. If you don’t see a bucket under the bathroom sink, you can remove the garbage bag from the bathroom garbage can and use the can to get hot water from the tap. When you pour the hot water down and let it sit for a few minutes. This will help melt fat in the clog and make the toilet more likely to flush.
Image by adult-bathroom-bowl from Flickr
Try to flush, being ready to push the flapper in the tank down quickly if it doesn’t work to avoid overflow. If it’s still clogged, you can use some liquid hand soap. Squirt a few seconds’ worth of soap in the bowl, wait a little while, and flush again.
Hopefully these steps will clear the clog! If not, you’ll need to ask your friend for a plunger – that will almost certainly do the trick.
Worst of the Worst – The Auger
If nothing has worked and the toilet is still clogged, it’s time to get out the auger. This device is a cable attached to a rod, and it allows you to snake through the toilet hole and dislodge the blockage.
You can find an auger at most hardware stores. Run the cable down the hole and turn the crank until the auger stops. You’ve reached the clog. The auger may break up the clog or it may hook it to pull it out.
Once you’ve pulled the auger back out, plunge a few more times just to be sure everything is clear. Then, flush and you’re good to go!
When to Call the Plumber
If all of your efforts have failed, you need a pro. Contact drain snaking services in Toronto, and they can help you with the problem. They can also help you understand if you have a bigger problem going on, which may include a blockage in your main line.
When you have a blocked toilet, it’s embarrassing and frustrating. However, with these tips and tricks, you’ll have it cleared in no time!
