How to Unblock a Toilet – 4 Simple Ways

There are many ways you can spend your weekend – by reading a good book, learning a new recipe, and even performing a secret ritual in the middle of the night just for a laugh. However, it is almost certain that unblocking a clogged toilet is not on the list of pleasant activities. And the worst thing is that it’s not something you can postpone as a task, as it needs to be dealt with immediately.

Luckily for you, we made this thorough and simple guide on how to unclog a toilet the easy way, so you can get back to your life in no time.

So, if you are:

• Dealing with a clogged toilet;
• Wondering what you can do to unblock it yourself;
• Looking for natural methods to unblock a toilet,

Then keep reading! This post is for you.

How to unclog a toilet

There are several methods that you can use to unblock the toilet by yourself. Depending on the nature of the clog and where it is located, you may find that some ways are more successful than others. Sometimes, you might need to use a combination of methods to fully clear the blockage.

How to unblock your toilet with hot water and dish soap

With this method, the dish soap can help lubricate the pipes, while the pressure created by the hot water can loosen the clog and fix your blocked toilet.

What you need: hot water, dishwashing liquid, rubber gloves, old towels or newspaper, bucket

1. Shut off the water supply.
   There should be a valve next to or underneath the toilet tank. This is the water supply valve. Turn it off to stop the tank from filling.
2. Remove as much water as possible.
   With the help of a bucket, take out as much water as you can from the toilet bowl.
3. Pour in dish soap.
   Pour half a cup of dishwashing liquid into the bowl.
4. Wait.
   Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
5. Pour in hot water.
   Pour a couple of litres of hot (not boiling) water into the bowl from high up. Be careful not to burn yourself.
6. Check the water level.
   Keep an eye on the water level. If it drops, repeat the process until the clog is gone.

Unblocking a toilet with a plunger

The plunger is a reliable and effective tool when it comes to unblocking a toilet. Just make sure you’re using a toilet plunger, and not a sink one. Toilet plungers have a flange that folds into the plunger when it’s not being used. This flange helps create a good seal and completely covers the hole.

To get an even better seal, you can soften the plunger by soaking it in hot water for a few minutes before you use it.

What you need: toilet plunger, old towels or newspapers, rubber gloves, bucket

How to unclog a toilet with baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda and white vinegar – the magic ingredients. From cleaning surfaces to clearing drains, they can come in handy in many situations, including unblocking a toilet.

What you need: baking soda, white vinegar, hot water

1. Add baking soda.
   Pour half a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl.
2. Heat water.
   Heat up a couple of litres of water. Make sure it’s hot enough, but not boiling, as that can damage your pipes.
3. Add vinegar.
   Add half a cup of white vinegar to the water.
4. Pour in water and vinegar.
   Pour the vinegar mixture into the toilet bowl and close the lid.
5. Wait.
   Let the mixture work its magic for 30 minutes.
6. Flush to test.
   Flush the toilet to check if the clog has cleared. If you notice an improvement, repeat the process until the water drains normally.

How to unclog a toilet with a plumber’s snake

Toilet augers, also known as plumber’s snakes or drain snakes, are a great way to deal with a blocked toilet. They can break up the blockage to make it easier to flush, or pull it out entirely.

What you need: plumber’s snake, rubber gloves

1. Push in the drain snake.
   Push the toilet auger into the toilet bowl until you feel the blockage.
2. Turn the handle.
   Twist the handle while pushing downwards.
3. Pull out the clog.
   Pull the snake back out carefully, along with the blockage.
4. Flush to test.
   Flush the toilet to see if the blockage has cleared.

Preventing a blocked toilet

There are several things you can do to prevent your toilet from clogging up in the future. Regular maintenance is key, and prevention is always better than having to deal with the issue. Toilet clogging can even lead to your toilet making noise when flushing, so be sure to follow these tips to avoid blockage:

These mistakes are very common, but definitely not the only ones. Check our post on common plumbing problems to see what other mistakes you likely make without even realising it.

Need help? Call a plumber!

Let’s face it – unblocking a toilet is neither pretty nor pleasant. So, if you don’t want to deal with this task yourself, why not turn to the professionals? The reliable and experienced plumbers at Fantastic Services are ready to help! They are certified, always come equipped with the tools they need to complete the job, and will make sure your clogged toilet is a thing of the past.

Booking is easy! Just use our online form and choose a date and time that suits your schedule.

Takeaways

• Hot water, dish soap, baking soda and white vinegar are all good ingredients to help you unblock a toilet naturally.
• Plumber’s snakes can come in handy when dealing with a blocked toilet.
• If none of these methods work, you can turn to toilet unblocking chemicals as a last resort.
• Prevention is always best – avoid flushing solid waste down your toilet.

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Did you find this post useful? Do you have any tips of your own on how to unblock a toilet? Let us know in the comments!

Image source: shutterstock / Joe Belanger