.png)
No one likes a clogged toilet, and it's embarrassing to have to call the plumber for help. But if you're faced with a clogged toilet and don't have a plunger on hand, there are some alternative ways to unclog your toilet that you can try.
Use hot water
Adding a few squirts of hot water is an inexpensive way to loosen up a clog in your toilet. But it's best to pour the water from waist level, rather than near the rim of the bowl. This forces the hot water into the drain more forcefully, and can help break up the clog.
Prod the clog
If you've got a clog that isn't a solid blockage in the toilet, but rather something that's blocking your drain and needs to be moved, you can prod it with a wire coat hanger. To do this, unravel the wire hanger until it's straight, and push the end of the wire into the clogged area until it wiggles free of the blockage.
This method isn't effective for a harder clog, such as one caused by a toy, but it can be helpful if you don't have a plunger on-hand. If you can't reach the clog with a wire hanger, try using a toilet snake to prod it down the pipe.
Baking soda and vinegar
Another home remedy is to pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the toilet. The two combined are good for breaking up clogs that are difficult to get rid of with just dish soap alone.
The vinegar should fizz up a bit, and the baking soda should help keep the mixture from sticking to the sides of the bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes, then flush the toilet with warm water.
Add liquid soap
If you don't have a plunger or can't get to your bathroom sink, add a squirt of liquid soap down the toilet. Dish soap is ideal, but you can also use body wash, bath bombs or other kinds of liquid soap to lubricate the pipes and make it easier to move things through.
Don't flush disposable cloths, menstrual products, napkins, ear swabs or hair
It's tempting to try and remove items that clog the toilet by flushing them down the drain. However, flushing these items can cause clogs in your toilet and sewer system that require professional help.
Pour a half cup of degreasing dish detergent into the toilet (Dawn works well) and then three or four cups of boiling water. The dish detergent and boiling water will break up the clog, sending it down your drain with the water.
Run a plunger
For most clogged toilets, you'll need to try plunging the toilet. But to make your plunging more effective, look for a plunger with an extension flange that's designed to fit the drain opening. This rubber extension will help create a seal between the plunger and your toilet drain.
Plunge gently at first, but then pull the plunger up sharply to disturb the clog and loosen it up. Continue doing this about 15 to 20 times.
Comments
Post a Comment