How To Unclog A Toilet Yourself
Can You Unclog A Toilet?
Face it. Some toilets just seem more prone to clogging than others. I have one of each kind in my house. I have a well behaved “john” that just flushes and flushes. And then I have the other kind, which is the one that seems to be clogged up every other day. A friend suggested I replace it with one of those 16 ping pong ball models from the home improvement store. And that may be on the agenda, but right now I’m determined to keep wrestling with this nasty problem.
Try A Simple, Household Product To Unclog Your Toilet
Do you have any dishwasher soap? Well, it has been designed to break up grease and organic solids. That same product can help break up organic waste too, and a few squirts can really help you get your toilet flowing again!
The Trusty Plunger
You need to make a suction over the top of the hole in the bottom of the toilet bowl. I guess just about any sort of plunger works, though I like the larger, modern ones. About 10 – 20 solid plunges should do the trick.
If the water is going dow when you plunge, but you are not convinced the blockage is gone, make sure you take off the top of the tank. Then try flushing. If the water rises too fast, and you are concerned the toilet will overflow, you should be able to reach into the tank and close the stopper to stop filling your toilet.
Commercial Toilet Products
Be careful here, because most commercial products for unclogging drains are not for use in toilets. Make sure you read the warnings on the container. But you can find products that are made for septic systems and toilets. In general, these work by adding them before bed time when the toilet will not be used again. So you have to wait until morning to see any results.
What If Products and Plunging Do Not Break Up The Clog?
Now, you need to entertain the possibility that your problem is not just normal organic waste.
You could have roots growing into your pipes, especially after a rainy period. You can find commercial products that are designed to kill those roots.
You could have another type of obstruction that will take a snake to remove. I can find inexpensive and disposable plastic snakes at my local discount store.
When To Call A Plumber?
If you just cannot get your toilet flowing again, it may be time to call in a professional plumber or handy man.
You can learn how to unclog a toilet, and a lot more handy tips at the Frugal Living Website.
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