Home Improvement

Using a Plunger to Unclog a Toilet

The ideal solution is to quickly unclog a clogged toilet by grabbing the closest flange plunger. But what should you do if there isn’t a plunger and your toilet is clogged? Perhaps you recently relocated. You might be at the home of your plunger-less pal. Are there alternatives to using a plunger to unclog a toilet?

Fortunately, it’s not as difficult (or disgusting) as you may think to unclog a toilet without a plunger! In actuality, there are a number of surprisingly simple methods to unclog even stubborn blockages without a plunger. The best methods for clearing a clogged toilet are listed below in the suggested sequence for trying them:

#1: Hot water is the best way to unclog a toilet.

Grab a sizable pail of hot water first. Remember, you want hot but not scalding hot. The porcelain of the toilet bowl could shatter when water is boiling. Simply fill a bucket with the warmest water available from your tap in its place. Fill the toilet bowl with that hot water almost to the top, then leave it alone.

Any solid waste should be broken down by the heat sufficiently for the toilet to flush it away. Don’t panic if it doesn’t—just try the next approach instead. Starting with the “hot water toilet technique” is only the beginning.

#2: Use dish soap to unclog a toilet.

Fill the toilet bowl with a lot of dish soap. Use a brand that can cut through grease well, like Dawn. Give it roughly fifteen minutes to sit. Any solids will be broken down by the soap. Additionally, it will lubricate the pipes and bowl, making it simpler for the clog to slip into the drain.

Repeat the “hot water trick” after using the dish soap in the toilet. Once more, allow it to sit for around 30 minutes after adding a saucepan of hot (but not boiling!) water to the bowl.

Try flushing once more after giving the water and soap some time to unclog. Try this step again or leave the dish soap in the toilet overnight if it doesn’t fix the issue.

#3: Epsom salt is used to unclog toilets.

You’re in luck if you have any Epsom salt laying around. When Epsom salt is added to water, a chemical reaction occurs that causes the water to bubble and fizz. All that bubbling and fizzing can really aid in the removal of blockages.

Your toilet bowl should be filled to the brim with Epsom salt. Wait fifteen minutes before attempting to flush. After the initial flush, good effects ought to be apparent. For added security, you might combine this method with dish soap and a “hot water trick.”

#4: Use a toilet brush or a wire hanger.

This is the quickest method of unclogging a clog. It’s time to dive right in if you’ve already attempted heat and chemical reactions without success. Use a toilet brush if you have one available; if not, spread out a wire hanger. Insert the object of your choice into the toilet bowl and wriggle it around.

We advise donning gloves since depending on what the clog entails, this could be a little nasty. While working, take care not to inadvertently harm the toilet bowl. If you’re careless or overly hard, wire hangers can quickly damage up porcelain.

#5: Invest in a toilet plunger.

I hope you were able to unclog your toilet. There are a handful of things you should do now that it is functioning.

Purchase a flange plunger first. These plunger-less methods will work in a pinch, but they aren’t a replacement for the real thing.

Next, determine the primary cause of the toilet obstruction. Does this occur frequently? If it happens, there may be a more severe issue with your home’s plumbing.

#6: Contact a Smell Good Plumber in your area.

Sometimes drain clogs just can’t be unclogged without professional assistance, a plunger, or no plunger. Other times, more serious plumbing difficulties are to blame for annoying recurrent clogs and other concerns. Contact BJC Clifton Plumbers‘s experts in either situation. We’ll examine the plumbing in your house to determine the cause of the obstructions there. We can ensure that you won’t require that new plunger for a time.