Unclogging a toilet without a plunger may not be an easy feat. But if you do not have a plunger handy, there are other ways to unblock your toilet using different methods. A clog in your toilet drain can create a world of issues for your household, especially if you do not have a backup on your property.
A clogged toilet can occur due to a build-up of toilet paper or if an item has been flushed down and is lodged inside the pipework. You can identify a problem with your toilet system with these indicators,
- Slow draining water
- If your cistern water is slow to drain or begins to overflow. This could mean a blockage ? you?ve got a blocked toilet.
- Gurgling sound
- Water rises when you flush or the toilet overflow
- Strong odour coming from drain
These can signify an obstructed pipeline or a collapsed water pipe on your property. These should not be ignored and should be taken care of quickly to prevent major plumbing problems from growing.
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Even without a plunger, what can I use to clear a toilet?
There are ways to clear a drain or toilet clog blockage without using a plunger. Below are some tips and methods for DIY toilet clogs or toilet drain clearing.
- Dish Soap ? Any slippery liquid, like dish soap, will help lubricate the pipe and loosen the obstruction. Dish soap can cut through the sticky grime and other build-ups that can clog your toilet. Pour about half a cup of standard liquid dish soap or dishwashing liquid into the toilet bowl. You can also use a soap bar, chop it up and place the pieces inside the toilet. Let the soap sit for a while before flushing. This will maximise the chances of your soap method working.
- Hot Water ? Boiling water or the hot water trick is excellent for softening and pushing small items through the pipework. By pouring one bucket of boiling water into the toilet from your wait level, the hot water pressure should unstick whatever is causing the obstruction. Wear rubber gloves so your hands are protected from burns or scalds. And be careful because it could crack the porcelain toilet.
- Salt solution - Mix your Epsom salt with hot bath water, vinegar and baking soda (one cup will do), and create a salt solution that effectively unclogs your toilet. Pour your mixture and let it sit for a few minutes, then flush it down with warm water.
- Wire Hanger ? By unbending a coat hanger, you have created a makeshift hook, drain snake, or ?poker? that can be used to push or move a stubborn item through your toilet pipes. Carefully but purposely go one end of the straightened wire into the bowl and through the opening. Once you have felt resistance, you have hit the obstruction, and you have to push until you can feel the debris move and clear itself.
- Toilet Brush ? Utilise your toilet brush as a kind of plunger. Stick your toilet brush into the toilet bowl hole and move it up and down like you?re plunging the drain hole. This will provide some suction action and hopefully clear the clog.
There is a way to clear your clogged toilet without exerting yourself or utilising natural, non-harmful, organic ingredients from your pantry. Open your pantry, and voila! You can have a baking soda and vinegar mixture to clear your blocked toilet. Just pour 1 cup of baking soda and 2 cups of vinegar down the toilet bowl. Let the enzymes and their natural chemical reaction work their magic on the grease, food or built-up toilet paper and break down the clog for you. Leave your baking soda and vinegar mixture overnight and pour hot water down the toilet bowl. Flush the toilet, and if the blockage is still there, try again to unclog the toilet without a plunger.
It?s simple when floating objects like paper towels cause blocks in your toilet. They can be easy to detect and remove. But there are various reasons blocking your toilet that can remain undetectable, which a mere dish soap or organic solution won?t solve. Especially if you have no experience with plumbing, mineral deposits from hard water can settle and solidify (calcification) in the pipes. They can hinder the movement of waste, causing blockages.
Not only that, but a blocked toilet can also stem from unwanted objects like razor heads, hair, soap scum, and detergent flushing down the pipe. Over time, the undissolved substances will block the pipe, narrowing the passage for waste removal. It would help if you were careful about dropping anything in the toilet bowl that?s not meant to be flushed in the first place. Dispose of hygiene products like dental floss, napkins, diapers, and tissues appropriately.
Flushing Away Troubles: No Plunger, No Problem!
If you?re experiencing a more complicated blockage in your toilet or bathroom drains, we recommend contacting a trusted plumbing team with experience in clearing a toilet effectively and unclogging your toilet or getting your drains working in the best condition.
Call Fixed Today. We are your blocked toilet and blocked drain experts, ready to combat any stubborn blockage, big and small.