There is nothing more dreadful than a clogged toilet in your house. You finish your business and flush only to realise that it all comes up instead of going down. Panicking in such situations won’t help. It may not be easy to get hold of a plumber when this happens, as like all other misfortunes, a clogged toilet can happen at the most inopportune moments. But fortunately for you, there is a way to unclog a toilet without the help of any professional. Follow these few steps listed below to resolve your problem.
Complexity Level: Moderate
Time Required: 10 to 15 minutes
Resources Required:
1. Toilet plunger
2. Buckets of water
3. Rubber gloves (optional)
4. Towels/ newspapers
Instructions:
1. Prepare
No matter how careful you are, you will invariably end up messing up the bathroom floor. If you want to minimise the damage, place some old towels or newspapers on the floor around the toilet so that they can absorb any water that spills. Also, put on a pair of rubber gloves as you are going to deal with unsanitary surfaces.
2. Cut off water supply
Make sure the water supply to the toilet flush is turned off. This is usually located right behind the toilet. It is important as it will prevent the bathroom from flooding. However, make sure that you don’t cut off the water supply for the entire house as others might get inconvenienced.
3. Get the right plunger
Make sure there is a good seal between the plunger rubber and the toilet bowl, only then will it work effectively. Funnel-cup plungers, which have a flange or an added piece extending off the bottom of the rubber cup, are the best. Warming up your plunger is also advisable as stiff and hard plungers do not work as you think. Hold your plunger under some hot water and this will soften up the rubber which will help you get a better seal on the toilet bowl.
4. Procedure
Place the plunger into the toilet hole to seal off the exit hole. Make sure there is enough water and the plunger is submerged in it. If there isnt any water, then pour some into the toilet. Now, sharply pull the plunger to create enough suction in the drain. Then push, without being too aggressive, to create the pressure. Continue this process a couple of times and then flush. If the clog has been removed then you will notice that the water starts flowing freely. If it is more stubborn than you think, then leave the plunger in the toilet bowl, fill it with more water and plunge again a couple of times till water starts flowing without any hindrance.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What do I do if the plunger inverts?
Sometimes, aggressive plunging can cause the plunger to invert in the opposite direction. If this happens, take the plunger out of the bowl carefully and using gloved hands, reverse the plunger rubber. If you do this while the plunger is submerged in water, then flipping it around will cause the water to splash which is unsanitary.
2. What are the sanitary concerns I should adhere to?
While unclogging a toilet, it is likely that you will have water splashing all over the place. Make sure you note where the water splashes and clean the area with a strong disinfectant once your are done unclogging the toilet. Wearing work gloves is highly recommended to prevent germs from coming in contact with your hands. If you can’t handle the smell, then wear a mask as well. Once you are done with the plunger, let it drip dry into the toilet bowl and only then remove it. Dry it properly using a newspaper or old cloth and then secure it in its position.
Quick Tips:
1. You can also use hot water and detergent to unclog a toilet. Pour a few cups of this mix into the toilet before you start plunging. The heat from the water and soap will help break down the clog, making plunging easier.
2. if you notice that your toilet is clogged, do not use it till it’s been fixed. If you need time to fix it, place a note on the bathroom door saying the toilet is out of order.
3. If the home remedy doesn’t work, then the problem is obviously more severe. So, get the help of a plumber.
Things To Watch Out For:
- Violently working on the toilet bowl might cause it to crack.
- If the bathroom is not properly ventilated, then it can be a bit uncomfortable to work in as the smells would be intoxicating.
