A blocked toilet is without any doubt one of the nastier household emergencies. And, once it happens, it is not only very urgent, but can also get rather expensive – especially if your toilet becomes blocked during the holidays or in the middle of the night and you only have one bathroom. Sure, calling a plumber will solve your issue, but can also cost you quite a bit of money. Plus, although it’s unpleasant, a blocked toilet is one of those issues that you can usually fix yourself with a little bit of know-how and a lot of patience.
Dishwashing liquid and hot water
Add some drops of dishwashing liquid to the toilet bowl. Then pour a pot of hot water into the toilet bowl – make sure to pour it from above waist level, as the pressure will play a significant role in unblocking the toilet. Let the mix sink in and bubble up for ten minutes, then attempt to flush.
Vinegar meets baking soda
If that doesn’t help, it’s time to try another chemical reaction – pour one or two cups of baking soda into the toilet bowl, then add vinegar. Let the mixture sink for a while and then follow this with hot water. Attempt to flush after ten minutes.
Using a coat hanger
If neither of these methods has helped, it’s time for a more hands-on approach. Unravel a wire coat hanger, and then bend one end of the wire into a curve. Put on some rubber gloves and stick the hanger into the toilet canal, trying to twist and push your way through. Be careful not to scratch the toilet bowl!
Plunge your way free
If a regular plunger doesn’t work, you might need a plunger designed for unclogging toilets. These look a little different than your regular everyday sink plunger, but few people know the difference.
Using a mop
This sounds unusual at first, but can work wonders. You need a big mop and a sturdy plastic bag for this method. Attach the bag to the mop’s head and then push the mop down the toilet. Repeat if needed.
Hopefully these five tips have taught you a little bit about how to unblock a toilet yourself and save some money – note that this is by no means an exhaustive list. Keep in mind that sometimes, you might have to call a plumber in the end. If nothing works and you suspect that the issue might lay deeper down in the building’s drainage and not have anything to do with your toilet in the first place, your safest bet is to get on the phone to avoid further damage.
Dishwashing liquid and hot water
Add some drops of dishwashing liquid to the toilet bowl. Then pour a pot of hot water into the toilet bowl – make sure to pour it from above waist level, as the pressure will play a significant role in unblocking the toilet. Let the mix sink in and bubble up for ten minutes, then attempt to flush.
Vinegar meets baking soda
If that doesn’t help, it’s time to try another chemical reaction – pour one or two cups of baking soda into the toilet bowl, then add vinegar. Let the mixture sink for a while and then follow this with hot water. Attempt to flush after ten minutes.
Using a coat hanger
If neither of these methods has helped, it’s time for a more hands-on approach. Unravel a wire coat hanger, and then bend one end of the wire into a curve. Put on some rubber gloves and stick the hanger into the toilet canal, trying to twist and push your way through. Be careful not to scratch the toilet bowl!
Plunge your way free
If a regular plunger doesn’t work, you might need a plunger designed for unclogging toilets. These look a little different than your regular everyday sink plunger, but few people know the difference.
Using a mop
This sounds unusual at first, but can work wonders. You need a big mop and a sturdy plastic bag for this method. Attach the bag to the mop’s head and then push the mop down the toilet. Repeat if needed.
Hopefully these five tips have taught you a little bit about how to unblock a toilet yourself and save some money – note that this is by no means an exhaustive list. Keep in mind that sometimes, you might have to call a plumber in the end. If nothing works and you suspect that the issue might lay deeper down in the building’s drainage and not have anything to do with your toilet in the first place, your safest bet is to get on the phone to avoid further damage.
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