Before you begin:
Flush only once. If it’s not flushing the first time, don’t flush again. This will cause more water to be pumped into the toilet bowl. If the toilet becomes clogged, the first flush will not cause the bowl to overflow, but the second flush might.
Put on a pair of rubber gloves. Toilets are inherently unsanitary places to work, but a good pair of rubber cleaning gloves will protect you from any germs within. If you can see the cause of the clog, put on a pair of rubber gloves and remove it from the toilet if possible.
Removing a Clog
Protect the floor. What’s worse than a clogged toilet, an overflowing toilet. Minimize the
potential damage by placing newspapers or paper towels on the floor to soak up liquid. Besides, minor splashes and spills are bound to occur when you’re unclogging the toilet. The paper will make for easier cleanup later.
Dish Soap and Hot Water Method
Add a little dish soap. Just place a few squirts in the toilet. Pour a pot or half a bucket of tap-hot water from about waist level into the bowl. (The reason you pour from waist level is because the weight of the water can help to clear the clog, or erode it away if some amount of water is getting through.) The water should be no hotter than a hot tea you can drink comfortably, but not boiling, since very hot water can crack porcelain. A little water won’t work––you want to raise the temperature of the water passing around or pressing on the clog. Let the water and dish soap sit for a few minutes. Sometimes doing this will soften a clog enough to loosen and clear on its own.
Plunger Method
If you know there’s an object (such as a child’s toy) causing the clog, skip the plunging and go straight to another method. Insert the plunger into the bowl and press down firmly but slowly. Make sure you’re covering the hole completely. The plunger should be submerged in water to be effective. It is important to be pushing and pulling with water, not air.
· Add water to the bowl if necessary. Sharply pull up on the plunger to create suction in the drain, then push in to create pressure. Remember, the clog got jammed going in, so don’t be too aggressive with your pushing because you might just jam it further. It is more the suction than the pressure, constantly disturbing the clog in both directions that will gradually cause it to be loosened.
· If the plunging eventually drains the bowl but the clog is still blocking a free flow down the drain, leave the plunger in the bowl and fill the bowl with water again. Fill it to the point it is normally after a regular flush. Then plunge again. Stubborn clogs might require you to do this a number of times.
Coat Hanger Method
If plunging fails to unclog the drain, a wire coat hanger may clear the obstruction. This will generally work if there is an obstruction in the first few inches of the drain. Unravel the coat hanger.
Twist the top ends of the coat hanger apart until they are no longer connected. (To avoid damaging the porcelain tightly wrap one end with a rag). Stick the wrapped end of the wire into the drain.
Once the wire is in the drain, twist it, push it, and maneuver it in a circular motion to clear the drain.
Plumbing Snake Method
Purchase or borrow a plumbing snake. A plumbing snake (also sometimes called a “flexible cleaning tool” or “auger”) is a flexible coil of wire that can “snake” through the curves of a drain and get deeper than a wire can. The best snake is a “closet auger” which is designed specifically to clear toilet clogs without damaging or staining the bowl. A plumber would likely use a closet auger. Insert one end of the snake into the drain. Push down, feeding the snake further into the drain until you feel
Vacuum Method
If you have tried plunging and snaking to no avail, consider using a wet/dry vacuum. Do not use an ordinary vacuum cleaner––it must be the wet/dry variety that can cope with water. Empty the water out of the bowl using the vacuum. Place the end of the hose a few inches into the drain. Use just the flexible hose; no attachments. Use old towels to create a seal around the drain.
Turn on the vacuum and push pressure on the towels to create a good seal. There is a good chance the vacuum can suck out the clog.
Enzymes Method
Be prepared to wait. This is not a fast method and will only work on organic waste (not objects or hair). But overnight, it can clear a toilet. Purchase the enzymes product. Look for a product that contains a mixture of enzymes that “eat” waste materials. Products of this sort can be usually be pur- chased at home improvement stores in or near the plumbing aisle. These enzymes are used in septic systems to break down waste. Follow the instructions on the container.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
Pour one box of baking soda into the bowl of the toilet. Use the package size normally placed into a refrigerator to take care of odors. Then slowly begin to pour a medium sized bottle of
Chemical Method
If nothing else works, you can try a drain-cleaning chemical. They’re available at most grocery, hardware, and “big box” stores. These chemicals are harsh on the environment, so try to avoid using them if possible. If you suspect that there is a hard obstruction, do not use a chemical solution. Instead, use a snake or call a plumber. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Only use chemicals that are specifically listed for toilets.
