You have come to the right place if you have ever wondered how to unclog a toilet. Dealing with a clogged toilet is amongst the most distressing maintenance functions that you going to have to handle in your household.
Nevertheless, there are a couple of easy to use tricks which will assist you quicken your approach. This article covers the basic use of a plunger.
If it's not flushing the first time, don't flush again!
Avoid a clogged toilet
Before you start plunging it is good to understand what can cause your blockage in your toilet.
It really is better to avoid a blockage in order to unclog lavatory bowls through not really eliminating certain products down the drain within the first place.
Toilet paper is designed to melt quickly and never block up your own toilet. Napkins, baby wipes or even diapers are usually not and should belong in the trash bin. However, if you use way too much toilet paper, it can cause an obstruction with other things.
You really don’t want to know what I have found in the bend of the soil pipe; refreshing blocks, toys, condoms,
medicine disposals and even mobile phones. By accident the fell into the bowl and cause a serious clog in your toilet.
Plunge Preparations
I suggest you make appropriate preparations before you unclog your toilet. Ensure that the floor is appropriately covered with some form of plastic sheeting, with on top of the sheeting some newspaper.
The newspaper can properly soak up any splashes that fall outside the toilet bowl.
I also suggest to wear gloves. Ordinary kitchen gloves are probably the most appropriate as they are waterproof, cheap and disposable.
Put your hands into the clogged up toilet bowl and try to manually unclog the toilet. If you can reach the clog down the drain, usually around the bend of the pipe, you are done. If this method won’t work you can assume that the clog is further down the drain and you should use a plunger.
Unclog a Toilet with a Plunger
For about 80 percent of all clogged toilets, you only need one special tool—a plunger. I suggest you will buy one with an extension flange on the rubber bell-shaped end. This extension flange is designed to fit toilets better so you can deliver more “power” to the plunge.
A poor toilet flush means that your toilet drain is either partially or completely clogged. A toilet that's completely plugged—a no-drainer—is obvious. The toilet bowl will fill to the brim with flush water and perhaps overflow. Give the water level 5-10 minutes or so to drop and certainly don’t flush again!
If the water level remains high you better use a bucket to lower the water level before you plunge. It can cause a mess if you plunge right away with a high level of water.
However, most clogged toilets are
slow drainers. Water partially fills the bowl and the water level remains high, then usually drains down to normal height within a minute or two.
You might not know the toilet is clogged until you flush it. If it doesn't drain,
don't flush it. Reach for the plunger.
Put on your gloves and get ready to plunge:
- Make sure that extension flange covers the hole of your toilet. Make your first plunge a gentle one and try to release the air. Otherwise you blow water all over the bathroom and you!
- Once you force out the remaining air, plunge vigorously in and out, maintaining the seal. You'll be forcing water both directions in the drain, which will effectively loosen most clogs because of the vacuum. Plunge about 30 seconds..
- Be patient. Try alternating between steady strokes and occasional monster heaves.
- Keep in mind that you have enough water in the bowl so the plunger stays covered. Trying to force air through the toilet trap won't generate much pressure.
Useful do’s and don’ts
1.
Avoid chemicals. Don't be suckered into thinking that
powerful chemicals will do the messy work for you. They sometimes work, but they're slower. And when they don't work, you have a drain full of corrosive water on your hands. If you tried chemicals and they didn't work, run as much water into the toilet as possible and let it sit overnight to drain through the clog. Then, when you plunge, wear safety goggles and rubber gloves to keep the water out of your eyes and off your bare skin.
2.
Keep the toilet cover down, especially if you have small kids, so toys won't fall into the toilet by accident
3.
Don't pour hardening compounds down the toilet. These include such things as grease drywall joint compound, wax products and caulk. Use a trash bin for these items.
