Attempting to force a clog through a toilet with a plunger can often make the problem worse. Instead, create a seal and slowly push down on the plunger before pulling it back sharply. The suction can help pull the clog back up toward the bowl, breaking the blockage and allowing gravity to take over.
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.
Plunging down too hard
A hard thrust downward can break the wax seal between the toilet and the floor, causing a leak. And a really hard thrust could even crack the bowl.
However, if the clog is especially tough, your plunger may not be enough. So, what else can you do to clear a badly clogged toilet? The first thing you should do is stop flushing. If your toilet doesn't drain, persistent flushing will only fill the bowl with more water, making the problem worse.
So, let's recap the common reasons why a toilet won't unclog — excessive toilet paper use, non-flushable solids, hard water, and clogs in the main sewer line. Thankfully, they can be prevented via methods like double-flushing, covering the toilet bowl, routine inspections and dealing with tree roots.
Caustic soda is a nasty chemical that can burn, but it's very effective for unclogging toilets. To use this chemical, you need to get some rubber gloves and eye protection. You can pick the chemical from the local hardware or grocery stores. Pour a ¾ gallon of cold water into a bucket, and add 3 cups of caustic soda.
Is it okay to leave a clogged toilet overnight? In most cases, you can leave a clogged toilet overnight. However, calling an emergency plumber near you might be warranted if water starts leaking from the pipes. A simple clog likely won't cause this, but an inexperienced homeowner messing with the plumbing could.
Place the plunger over the hole in the toilet. Maintain a seal and plunge up and down rapidly, keeping the plunger under the water level and lifting it only an inch or so on every upstroke. Be patient, as it may take multiple plunge cycles, of a dozen plunges per cycle, to loosen the clog.
Start slow and add force as needed. Several gentle pumps will usually work better than a couple of hard pushes. If your blockage is going to come out, it should happen in less than 10 minutes.
Don't use excessive force when plunging a clog. Also, keep in mind that you shouldn't use too much pressure because it can damage the drain line connection, which will lead to further problems eventually.
After the water is turned off, try using a conventional plunger to unclog the toilet. Be sure the water covers the cup of the plunger; if it doesn't, you may need to manually control the flapper until enough water enters the bowl.
Plunge-in well:
The plunging process needs to be down slowly; operating anything by force will ruin the bathroom with water. After the primary gentle plunge, forcing the air out they dig into plunging in and out strenuously, keeping the seal intact, for 15 to 20 times until most of the clogs are not unclogged.
When a toilet has a clog made of water-soluble materials, it has a chance of slowly dissolving in the water and freeing up the toilet to work properly again. So, clogs that are primarily made of toilet paper can clear themselves.
The longer you leave a clog, the more opportunities there are for the clog to get worse. The most water-soluble parts of the clog will dissolve, and the rest will fill in the gaps, making the clog worse. There is also the possibility that human error could come into play.
Using a plunger is one of the most effective methods used for unblocking a toilet as it can unclog a wide variety of waste pipes.
A drain auger is a better choice, but the wire hanger will work in a pinch.
Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a strong acid that is commonly used to dissolve clogs in drains. This acid works by breaking down organic materials such as hair, grease, and soap scum that can accumulate in pipes and cause blockages.
When you have a clogged drain you might be tempted to fix the problem yourself before calling a professional. Improperly unclogging a pipe can cause damage, make the clog worse, or be potentially dangerous.
Take note that if you plan to use a chemical for unclogging drains that you don't use a plunger (as noted on the warnings on the bottle). A plunger could splash around the toxic chemical and cause harm to you. If you unclog a sink drain, tub, or shower, make sure to cover the overflow drain if one is present.
Give a few good up and down strokes with the plunger and flush the toilet. If the water clears from the toilet, then you've successfully unclogged it. If the toilet starts overflowing again, just close the flapper to stop water from entering the bowl. Repeat the plunge and flush sequence until your clog is gone.
If you're dealing with a toilet that won't flush, check to see if something is damaged or broken within the toilet cisterns like you would the fill valve if your toilet is running. Check your lift chain, flush valve, water valve, float ball, and more. If you cannot see anything, you may call a plumber.
The most common causes for a slow-draining toilet are: A clog in the drain line. A blockage between the tank and bowl. Poor or Clogged Venting.
For preventive drain cleaning, you can use Drano® Max Build-Up Remover in drains, toilets and even septic systems. Apply Drano® Max Build-Up Remover overnight or before you go to work, then wait 6 to 8 hours before running warm (not hot) water down treated drains or flushing treated toilets.