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how to repair clogged toilet

by Lucas Schaden Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to Fix a Clogged Toilet Quickly

  1. Hot Water Flush. An extremely simple technique to use when getting rid of clogs in the toilet comes via hot water.
  2. Dish Soap Solution. Sometimes, when trying to unclog a toilet, you may have to think outside of the box. While the...
  3. Using an Auger. In some scenarios, the clog can be removed through manual cleaning. It takes...

Part of a video titled How to Fix a Clogged Toilet | Plumbing Repairs - YouTube
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And a plunger works by pulling back not by pushing down so you want to pull back helped clear theMoreAnd a plunger works by pulling back not by pushing down so you want to pull back helped clear the obstruction push down draw back push down again pull back and you'll see the water start to go down.

Full Answer

How do you unblock a badly clogged toilet?

  • First use a putty knife to scrape off old wax from the top of the closet flange and the toilet bowl’s drain outlet.
  • Look inside the toilet trap (from the bottom) or even stick your hand and try to see if you can feel a clog there. ...
  • If the toilet trap is fully open, the clog is somewhere inside the toilet drain line. ...

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What is the fastest way to unclog a toilet?

Natural Remedies to Unclog a Toilet

  • Fix a Clogged Toilet with Boiling Water. ...
  • Learn How to Unclog a Toilet with Vinegar and Baking Soda. ...
  • Try Unclogging a Toilet with Liquid Dish Soap. ...
  • Clear Your Blocked Toilet with Coca-Cola®. ...
  • Unclog a Toilet Using Water and Ammonia. ...
  • Fix a Clogged Toilet with DIY Organic Enzyme Drain Cleaner. ...

How to unblock a badly blocked toilet?

Process-

  1. Pour the Washing Up Liquid. Take a mug and pour a half mug of dishwasher or soap water, which claim to remove dirt oil and grease substances.
  2. Add Hot water. Wait until 30 minutes to 40 minutes, then Pour one bucket of water. ...
  3. Finish with Flush. ...
  4. Baking soda and Vinegar (optional) This step is optional because all closing matters already resolve. ...

Will a toilet eventually unclog itself?

A toilet will eventually unclog itself if normal things like toilet paper and feces are stuck in it. It will take as fast as an hour for a toilet to unclog itself if the thing clogging it is easily degradable, or as long as over 24 hours if an abundant amount of organic matter clogs it.

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How do you unblock a badly clogged toilet?

How Do You Unblock a Badly Clogged Toilet?Ways to Unclog Your Toilet.Lubricate the Blockage With Dish Soap.Make a Coat Hanger Snake.Break Up the Clog With Hot Water or Drain Cleaner.Mix Your Own Declogger.Plunge Using a Plastic Bottle.Unblock Your Toilet With Vinegar and Baking Soda.More items...•

How do you unclog a toilet when a plunger doesn't work?

Vinegar And Baking Soda You'll need a pot of hot water, a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar. Pour the baking soda into your toilet bowl. Then add the vinegar a little bit at a time to avoid overflow. The mixture should start fizzing and bubbling immediately.

Is there anything to pour down a toilet to unclog it?

Make your own drain cleaner by pouring one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar into the toilet and adding a half gallon of hot water. Dish soap can also help loosen some obstructions.

How do you unclog a toilet by yourself?

No Tools Required – Baking Soda and VinegarAdd one cup of baking soda to the clogged toilet.Wait two minutes.Slowly pour two cups of vinegar into the toilet. ... Allow the vinegar and baking soda mixture to work for several minutes.Flush the toilet to see if the clog has cleared.

Will a toilet eventually unclog itself?

A clogged toilet will typically unclog itself over time. Most things that clog a toilet are water-soluble which means they will eventually dissolve in the toilet water. When the clog is given enough time to break down, the pressure of a flush should be enough to clear the pipes.

What is the best liquid to unclog toilet?

These are the best drain cleaners, according to testing:Best Overall Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover.Best Drain Cleaner for Hair Clogs: Liquid Plumr Clog Destroyer + Hair Clog Eliminator.Best Single-Use Drain Cleaner: Green Gobbler Drain Opening Pacs.Best Enzymatic Drain Cleaner: Bio Clean.More items...•

How do you dissolve poop?

Use bleach just in case when your toilet is clogged severely. You will need to pour two to three cups of household bleach to the bowl. Wait until it dissolves the poop, and then flush the toilet a few times.

Will boiling water unclog a toilet?

Pouring boiling water into your toilet bowl can cause it to crack, which would leave you in an even worse situation. Fill the toilet with the hot water. The heat, combined with the movement of the water, should help to break up and remove the clog.

Can hard poop clog toilet?

Some of the characteristics of a large poop include poop that's: so large it clogs your toilet. so large it fills up most of the toilet bowl. resembles large, hard marbles.

Why is my basement toilet backing up?

Causes for a Sewage Backup in the Basement Clogs can consist of hair, grease, or other solid materials that end up in the drains. Tree Roots – Trees can grow really long roots that intertwine with your sewer line. Roots can grow into a pipe and cause holes or crush the sewer line by growing around it.

How do you properly use a plunger?

Place the cup of the plunger over the drain to create a tight seal and, using firm pressure, push and pull the plunger vertically. Similar to plunging a toilet, plunge the drain for about 20 seconds. If you continue to have a slow drain, try plunging more and use extra force.

What to do if toilet is clogged after plunger?

If your toilet is still clogged after using a plunger, try using a toilet auger, or toilet snake to extend into the drain and unclog the problem. The claw of the snake will break up whatever’s clogging the drain, or will pull the material back up, out of the way.

How to unclog a toilet?

1. Unclog with Dish Soap 1 Wait about 10-15 minutes before trying to unclog the toilet, as some water might drain on its own. 2 Squeeze a lot of liquid dish soap, about one cup, or pieces of bar soap into the toilet bowl. 3 Fill a bucket with hot water and carefully pour hot water into the toilet bowl without overflowing it. The hot water will dissolve the dish soap and will act as a lubricating agent to un-wedge the clog. 4 Wait another 15 minutes for the soap to dislodge the clog. 5 The water level will go down after 15 minutes, so pour more hot water into the bowl to restart the lubrication process. 6 After another 15 minutes of waiting, you can flush the toilet and the clog will be gone!

How long does it take for soap to dislodge a toilet?

Wait another 15 minutes for the soap to dislodge the clog. The water level will go down after 15 minutes, so pour more hot water into the bowl to restart the lubrication process. After another 15 minutes of waiting, you can flush the toilet and the clog will be gone! 2. Unclog with a Plunger.

What to do if dish soap doesn't go down the drain?

If the dish soap doesn’t slide the clog out of the way, you’ll need a plunger. Plungers fit over the toilet drain and will force water down the drain and dislodge the debris clogging the drain.

How to unclog a toilet without overflowing?

Wait about 10-15 minutes before trying to unclog the toilet, as some water might drain on its own. Squeeze a lot of liquid dish soap, about one cup, or pieces of bar soap into the toilet bowl. Fill a bucket with hot water and carefully pour hot water into the toilet bowl without overflowing it.

How long does it take for a plunger to drain?

Wait 10-15 minutes, as some water might drain on its own. Place your plunger into the toilet bowl and rest the mouth of the plunger into the mouth of the toilet drain.

Why is my toilet clogged?

A chronically clogged toilet is caused by drain failure and should be examined by a professional plumber. If your toilet has had chronic clogging, it should be examined by a professional, as the problem might be more serious or be caused by pipe damage.

What is a clogged toilet?

First things first. A clogged toilet is a toilet that can overflow. If water is rising to the top of the bowl, you need to act fast to prevent a potentially flooded bathroom. There are two ways to stop a clogged toilet from overflowing with water:

What is the best way to unclog a toilet?

A plumber is also your best option if you have a toilet that frequently clogs—that means you’ve got a serious problem somewhere deeper in your pipes. You can count on Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to effectively unclog your toilets and drains.

What to use to clean a toilet without a plunger?

If you don’t have a plunger handy, turn to the trusted non-toxic household helper: baking soda and vinegar. You might know that baking soda and vinegar are fantastic for a variety of uses, including cleaning many surfaces, acting as an excellent deodorizer and keeping drains running smoothly. Baking soda and vinegar are equally great to fix a clogged toilet without a plunger following these simple steps:

Why should every household have a plunger?

Every household should have a plunger. Why? Because a plunger is the best way to unclog a toilet. A house without a plunger is a house that should have had one if there is a clogged toilet.

Why don't we learn how to unclog a toilet?

We don’t learn how to unclog a toilet because it always works. Until it doesn’t. Bathroom business isn’t perhaps high on the list of things we like to talk about, but the fact is we all at one time or another face the problem of a clogged toilet. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Stuff happens.

How to get rid of air in toilet?

To achieve best results, follow these steps: Put the plunger in the toilet bowl and push down gently until you achieve a good seal. The first push is to get rid of the air. If you push too forcefully, you could splash dirty water upon yourself.

How to keep water from flowing in toilet?

Take the lid off the toilet and close the open flapper that is allowing water to continue to flow. Don’t worry about the water in the tank; it is as perfectly clean as your home’s drinking water or the water in the shower. Reach behind the toilet and turn the water supply off.

What to do when your toilet clogs?

So, what can you do? With the help of things you probably have around, such as vinegar or baking soda and a vacuum, you’ll soon put your toilet back in the business.

How to get rid of a clogged toilet bowl?

Pour a little dish soap into the toilet and slowly add one gallon of hot water to the bowl. Wait a couple of minutes so the mixture can dis solve the clog and flush the toilet .

Why Does The Toilet Keep Clogging?

There could be several reasons why your toilet keeps clogging. Don’t think you are unlucky, rather think about potential reasons that will help you prevent the toilet clogs next time.

What to use to unclog a toilet?

Enzyme-based cleaners also help dissolve the organic clogs. Most grocery stores have these types of products. Sometimes, they are intended for sink unclogging, but they will work fine with the toilet unclogging as well. However, you might have to use a larger amount.

How long does it take for enzymes to unclog a toilet?

Check the instructions to see what the recommended amount is for unclogging the toilet. Pour it into the toilet and let it work for ten minutes. The enzymes should soften the clog and open the drainage system so the water can flush easily.

How to stop toilet from sizzling?

Pour a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and add the same amount of white vinegar. You should hear sizzling sounds as the two ingredients react. Once the sizzling stops, you can flush the toilet as regularly.

How to get a clogged toilet out of a drain?

Twist the handle repeatedly until you notice the tool starts to move without resistance. Flush the toilet, and put the snake tool one more time into the drain to ensure the entire clog is removed.

How to flush a toilet that is clogged?

Watch for the water to drain out of the toilet. This means the clog has broken up and the material has flushed. Pour the material from the bucket back into the toilet to flush in small amounts when the clog has cleared. Repeat the auger process if the first attempt is unsuccessful.

Why does my toilet clog up?

Common causes include low water pressure that fails to move material with enough force, and attempts to flush too much at once. Whereas stopped stink drains can often be remedied with an additive that breaks up the clog, such products are usually inappropriate for toilet clogs.

How to protect a toilet from scratching?

Use a Closet Auger. Put on rubber gloves and position a bucket near the toilet. Extend the auger handle. Insert the end of the auger into the toilet trap. The sheath around the end of the auger fits the contour of your toilet's bowl and trap and protects the toilet against scratching.

How to seal a toilet with a plunger?

A funnel-cup plunger forms the best seal. If the toilet is empty, try adding boiling water instead of cold to cover the plunger. The hot water can help break up the clog and make the rubber on the plunger more pliable for a better seal. If you have trouble forming a tight seal, spread petroleum jelly over the section of the plunger that makes contact with the toilet. Don’t use a regular auger, or snake, for the toilet. The cable will scratch the surface.

How to get stuck material out of toilet tank?

Pull the plunger back toward the toilet tank as you lift it to help draw the stuck material out.

How to break up a clogged cable?

Push the auger handle in until you feel resistance. The resistance is the auger cable pressing against the material causing the clog. Crank the handle to rotate the cable. Push the handle in as you crank to break up the clog or hook it with the end of the cable.

How to stop a clogged auger?

Push the auger handle in until you feel resistance. The resistance is the auger cable pressing against the material causing the clog.

1. Hot Water Flush

An extremely simple technique to use when getting rid of clogs in the toilet comes via hot water. Grab a bucket and fill it with enough hot water inside. Then, approach the toilet and pour the hot water down the bowl. If you feel that you need to repeat this step, pour more.

2. Dish Soap Solution

Sometimes, when trying to unclog a toilet, you may have to think outside of the box. While the conventional techniques of eliminating clogs may work, easier and more efficient methods are available. Head to your kitchen and grab a bottle of dish soap. This trick may take some time, but it could work for clogs that are already weak.

3. Using an Auger

In some scenarios, the clog can be removed through manual cleaning. It takes physical exertion through a drain auger or snake to complete the task. Once you have the tool, approach the toilet and insert one end into the bowl.

4. Baking Soda Solution

One of the best methods that you can use to unclog your toilet can be made at home. You will need a few essential ingredients to kickstart this specific process. Grab some baking soda from a nearby cabinet. Then, you’ll need to get your hands on some vinegar from your kitchen pantry.

5. Using a Plunger

Of course, the most common tool to use when unclogging your toilet comes via a plunger. Stick the plunger down the toilet bowl, ensuring that it is properly stuck against the bowl. Then use the plunger in an up-and-down motion until you are satisfied with the action.

6. Professional Repair

Even with the best of intentions, your work to unclog your toilet may not be enough. All the tools and equipment in the world won’t get rid of a problematic clog. In this regard, it may be in your best interest to look for some outside help. A professional plumber will be the way to go here.

How to clean a toilet that is clogged?

If the toilet tends to clog easily as the result of trying to flush too much waste, using a combination of hot water, baking soda and vinegar will often do the job as well as a commercial drain cleaner. Boil half a gallon of water, then let it cool for a moment while you add other ingredients to the toilet bowl.

What to use to clean a toilet bowl that is clogged?

Distilled white vinegar is commonly used, but any type of vinegar will work. The mixture will fizz a great deal. If you don't have baking soda and vinegar on hand, try adding a few squirts of dish soap to the toilet bowl. The soap may help to loosen the clog.

How to flush a toilet when it is slow to drain?

Flush the toilet once the water has drained. The obstruction and dirty water should now be able to flow through the drain like normal. If the toilet is still slow to drain, the obstruction may have gotten pushed further back, out of reach of the hanger. In this case you'll need to use a plumbing snake to clear it.

How to unclog a toilet bowl?

Pump the plunger over the hole. Start slowly at first, since the first plunge will push air into the bowl. Push down, then pull up sharply to disturb the clog and loosen it. Continue vigorously pushing and pulling until the water begins to drain. It may take 15 to 20 cycles before the toilet unclogs.

What is a plumbing snake?

A plumbing snake (also sometimes called a "flexible cleaning tool" or "auger") is a flexible coil of wire that can "snake" through the curves of a drain and get deeper than a wire can. The best snake is a "closet auger" which is designed specifically to clear toilet clogs without damaging or staining the bowl.

Why won't my toilet drain?

If you can't feel an obstruction, and the toilet won't drain, the clog must be out of reach of the hanger. Try the plumbing snake method to clear it.

How to clear a toilet obstruction?

It may take a few minutes of maneuvering to clear the obstruction. Once the water drains, flush the toilet to see whether it drains as quickly as normal.

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