What Are the Best Ways to Unclog a Toilet?

Plunger

A plunger should be your first go-to solution when faced with a clogged toilet. It uses suction power to dislodge whatever is causing the blockage. Plunging a toilet is a fairly simple process. Here are the steps to follow:

• Step 1: Make sure there's enough water in the toilet bowl to cover the plunger cup. If not, add some water to create a good seal.
• Step 2: Place the plunger cup over the toilet drain opening.
• Step 3: Plunge vigorously 10-15 times while maintaining a good seal with each plunge.
• Step 4: If the water starts draining after plunging, give it a final flush to see if the clog is gone. If not, you may need to consider other methods or call a plumbing repair service that offers drain cleaning services.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

This is one of the simplest methods homeowners employ to unclog toilets. Pour one cup of baking soda into the clogged toilet, and then add two cups of white vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 20 minutes. When the two are mixed, they react to break up clogs. If your toilet remains clogged, this may indicate a deeply lodged clog that requires a different technique. It is time to grab a plumbing snake and give it a try.

A Drain Snake

A drain snake is more successful at clearing toilet clogs because it reaches further and bypasses bends. Here’s how to use a plumbing snake to unclog your toilet:

• Step 1: Carefully feed the snake's cable into the toilet drain opening. You might feel resistance as it encounters the clog.
• Step 2: Continue feeding the cable into the drain while turning the crank handle. The snake should be able to bypass bends and navigate towards the clog.
• Step 3: As you crank and feed the cable, you might feel resistance increase when the snake reaches the clog.
• Step 4: If it feels like a solid blockage, continue cranking and pushing the snake to break it up. Once you feel resistance, try to reverse the crank direction slightly to see if you can hook the clog and pull it out.
• Step 5: Once you've cleared the clog or reached the limit of the snake, slowly withdraw the cable from the toilet. Carefully flush the toilet to see if the clog is gone. If the water drains freely, you’ve successfully cleared the clog. If not, you may need to repeat the process or consider calling a plumbing service.

Call a Plumber

Sometimes, DIY solutions may not work for a number of reasons. For instance, if the clog is caused by a broken drain line, there’s no amount of plunging that will fix the problem. You’ll need to contact a trusted plumbing repair service to perform an inspection and recommend the appropriate repairs. In some cases, the source of the clog could be mineral buildup in the drain pipes. The solution might be hydro-jetting the pipes or replacing them altogether. Qualified and experienced plumbers have the professional expertise and advanced tools to provide quality clogged toilet repair and toilet replacement.

Reach Out To Express Plumbing & Rooter for Clogged Toilet Repair and Toilet Replacement

Looking for a professional plumber to help you unclog your toilet? Express Plumbing & Rooter is here to help. We are a reputable plumbing service that specializes in clogged toilet repair and toilet replacement.