A toilet can clog for a variety of reasons such as a foreign object getting flushed down the bowl or because you used too much toilet paper. It may also clog because you tried to flush paper towels or other items that won’t properly break down when going through a toilet drain. Fortunately, there are a number of safe and effective methods for getting rid of a clog quickly.
Turn Off the Water
Prior to making any attempts to unclog your toilet, make sure that the water has been turned off. Most bathrooms have a water shutoff valve specifically for the toilet so that you don’t need to deny water to the entire house just because of an issue in the bathroom.
Turning off the water will also prevent water from actively backfilling into the bowl and potentially spilling over onto the floor. In addition to potentially coming into contact with human waste or other hazardous materials, preventing water from overflowing can prevent damage to any surface that it might come into contact with.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
When baking soda and vinegar combine, they create a burst of heat that can break through organic material that’s clogging the toilet drain. All you need to do is pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar into the toilet bowl and wait for a few minutes. You can then try to flush the toilet to see if the clog has been removed or at least partially broken up.
The act of flushing the toilet should help to push the clog through on its own, which should solve the issue. However, you can also try to force it through the drain with a plunger by placing it over the porthole to create a tight seal. From there, pushing on the plunger will generate the force needed to move the clog through.
If you don’t have any vinegar or baking soda available, you may be able to use hot water to break down the material causing the clog. All you need to do to attempt this method is simply get a bucket of water and pour it directly down the bowl.
Make Sure to Use Safety Equipment
Despite your best efforts, it’s easy for water or other materials to splash out of the bowl and onto exposed skin. Therefore, if you’re dealing with human waste or other potentially toxic materials, be sure to wear gloves, goggles, and a mask. You should also wear clothes that cover your arms and legs as well as boots that cover your feet to prevent any type of contamination.
Of course, if you have any concerns about unclogging a toilet by yourself, you can always reach out to our team at Spartan Plumbing in Tucson, AZ. In addition to clearing drain clogs, we can repair and install toilets in a convenient and affordable manner.
Putting in a new toilet may be ideal if you have an older model that isn’t as efficient as the ones available today. In some cases, adding a new toilet may help to minimize the risk of clogs that occur because of water pressure issues. We can also inspect the pipes connected to the toilet to determine if they’re damaged or otherwise adding to the likelihood of clogs or other issues.
If the Clog Is Caused by a Foreign Object
If your toilet is clogged by a foreign object, you won’t be able to get rid of it with baking soda, a snake, or other traditional methods. Instead, you’ll need to get access to the pipe connected to the toilet, take it apart, and remove the object that’s inside. Our team may be able to use a camera or other tools to determine where the object may be and get it out in a manner that causes as little secondary damage as possible.
The next time your toilet is clogged, give Spartan Plumbing a call! In addition to unclogging toilets, we can inspect gas and water lines, install new pipes, and do a full bathroom remodel. Our team can also help with slab leaks or inspect and clean drain and sewer lines to minimize the risk of future clogs.
