What do you think is the most common reason for someone to call a professional plumber? While leaks, sink-related issues, and burst pipes can all be common reasons, most people call because there’s a clog in the toilet that they just can’t unstick. If you’re dealing with a minor toilet clog, the good news is that there are plenty of DIY tricks you can try so you don’t have to call in the pros. Here are some of the most effective:
The first tip is just common sense. A plunger is probably the handiest toilet clog-related tool you have available. Fill the bowl with water, insert the rubber end into the drain at the base of the bowl, and pump it rapidly up and down (this can be messy, so be aware). Of course, plungers only do so much.
Another option is to combine the power of the plunger with the lubricating capabilities of dish soap. Pour about a half-cup of liquid dish soap into the bowl and then use the plunger to try to remove the clog. You may need to wait until the water drains mostly out so that the soap can coat the object clogging the opening.
Sometimes, a minor but stubborn clog can be dislodged with hot water. Grab a bucket and fill it with hot water from the sink (don’t use boiling water for this). Now, hold the bucket at about waist height and pour the water into the toilet bowl. The force of the water combined with the heat may be enough to dislodge whatever’s causing the blockage.
Plumber’s snakes are handy tools, but they’re not limited to professionals. You can usually find them at big box stores. A snake can help push stubborn clogs down the line and can also open up paper-based clogs. Note that you may need to snake the toilet several times to remove the entirety of a clog, particularly if a bunch of wadded paper is the problem.
With these simple DIY tips, those minor toilet clogs shouldn’t lead to a call to a plumber. For anything more serious, call in the professionals. In the meantime, practice good toilet hygiene, like limiting the amount of toilet paper flushed at one time and never flushing anything other than toilet paper down the drain.
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