One common question people ask is, “Can plunging make a clog worse?” The short answer is yes, but only if you're not using toilet plungers correctly. Using too much force or plunging too vigorously can push the clog further down the drain, making it harder to remove.
With a plunger you are essentially pushing the blockage to the point it hits a bigger pipe. Most times with a soft blockage you are making it worse. Sounds like you have grease in your line.
Start by pouring about one cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl, followed by two cups of vinegar. This mixture will create a foaming action that can break down the clog. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, and then flush the toilet.
Displacement of Debris: Plunging can push debris deeper into the pipes rather than removing it. If the clog is made up of hair, soap scum, or other materials, the force of the plunger may compact these materials further down the drain.
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. When using either method, allow the solution to sit overnight and then flush the toilet to see if the obstruction has cleared.
One of the strongest substances for unclogging a toilet is a commercial drain cleaner specifically designed for toilet clogs. These cleaners typically contain powerful chemicals that dissolve organic matter and stubborn blockages.
Leaving a clogged toilet overnight may seem like a harmless way to put off an unpleasant task, but it can lead to more significant issues. The most obvious problem is that the clog might not magically disappear. Instead, it can worsen as the blockage hardens or settles deeper into the pipes.
Bicarbonate of soda (or baking powder) and white vinegar
All you need to do is pop a couple of teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda down the plughole and chase it with a cup of white vinegar. Leave it for about five minutes and then try flushing the blockage with the hot kettle water.
Forceful plunging can damage the drain line and cause leaks.
The black stuff that comes out of your drains is most likely a mixture of hair, soap scum, body oils, and other organic matter that has accumulated in your pipes over time.
Ideally, no more than five or 10 minutes. One plumber told us that if plunging goes on any longer, it's time to try a toilet snake or call an expert.
Pouring dish soap down a toilet will unclog many obstructions. Pour 1/2- to 1-cup of dish soap directly in the toilet water and wait about 30 minutes before flushing. Follow the dish soap with a gallon of hot water if dish soap alone does not work.
If your snake isn't unclogging your drains, it could be because the thumbscrew is loose, the clog is too severe, or the auger is dirty. Or maybe you just need a refresher on how to use a drain snake.
This makes it potentially harmful to your health. That also means you need to sanitize the area around your toilet. So, is it okay to leave a toilet clogged overnight? No, because you risk the clog escalating into a worse problem.
You may just be using it incorrectly. Do this: Next time you have a clog, use your plunger like this: Ensure the flange lip is unfolded. Get a good seal on the toilet drain (that is, make sure you're covering the entire drain or you won't have enough pressure to loosen the clog.)
If you're wondering, “Can a clogged toilet cause a pipe to burst?” the answer is yes, and it's a situation that requires immediate attention.
In fact, pushing the plunger in with enough force can even break the seal of the toilet gasket (the seal between the toilet and the floor where the plumbing exits). It is the pulling action that actually creates suction, which effectively and safely frees up the clog.
Get a plunger (available from any DIY store) and cover the plug hole, use a wet cloth or paper towel to cover the overflow. Fill the sink with water so it covers the plunger and creates a seal. With your cloth covering the overflow, start pumping the plunger up and down around 4 to 5 times – maybe more if necessary.
The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.
While it's not the end of the world, it won't cause immediate damage to your home and the water will eventually drain away, a slow drain is still a problem that needs to be fixed. A drain that is slow to empty will mean there is already a clog in the system and, over time, one that will only get worse.
Clogs consisting of degradable materials like waste and toilet paper could clear on their own over time. These substances break down within water and don't always require you to take action to eliminate blockages. However, non-degradable clogs won't resolve on their own and can lead to other serious issues.
Sometimes a toilet will unclog itself if you leave it for a few hours. This is due to the fact that most items will start to soften in water depending on what is causing the blockage.
DO NOT: Take the flush-and-a-prayer method of flushing again – and again - until the blockage breaks up. Chances are this could lead to overflow. DO: If water is already rising, lift the tank lid and carefully use the rubber floater to block water from filling the hole at the bottom.