Pour hot water into the drain: Hot water in the drain can be the simplest method of unclogging it, as the temperature and flow of water can help break up the paper and other waste. Only use hot and never boiling water, as there is a danger of cracking the ceramic bowl if the heat is too intense.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
First, pour a cup of baking soda directly into the toilet bowl. Carefully add two cups of vinegar to initiate a chemical reaction with the baking soda. Wait for 20 to 30 minutes to allow the reaction to break down the clog, and then give the toilet a flush.
Pouring hot water and washing up liquid into your toilet bowl is the easiest way to unblock a toilet. This method doesn't require any special tools and uses items that you'll probably already have at home.
The Santeen Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener proved to be the most potent among all the chemical drain cleaners we tested, effectively dissolving 80% of the hair, 80% of the organic matter, 40% of the grease and 76% of the paper products.
Naturally occurring bacteria inside your septic tank work to dissolve and consume the solid waste. This is the good bacteria you need to help keep your septic tank system working properly. The liquid in your tank then drains through small holes in the pipes into your drain field.
Septic systems rely on bacteria inside the tank that works to break down toilet paper and solid waste. As the solids get broken down, they are transformed into sludge that settles at the very bottom of the tank.
The only form of Drano® product recommended for use in a slow toilet is Drano® Max Build-Up Remover. When used according to label directions, the microorganisms in this product will break down toilet paper and organic matter in pipes, which can slow water flow. (This product will NOT open a completely clogged toilet.)
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.
Hydrochloric Acid (Muriatic Acid)
Properties and Uses: Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a highly corrosive acid used extensively by plumbers to clear severe clogs. It reacts rapidly with organic materials in drains, breaking them down into simpler compounds that can be easily flushed away.
Limitations: Type of Blockage: Mr Muscle Drain Gel may not be as effective on tougher blockages like those caused by non-dissolvable items (e.g., sanitary products or excessive toilet paper). For these types of clogs, a plumber might be needed.
Add 1/2 cup baking soda directly into the toilet bowl water surrounding the blocked toilet. Slowly pour 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar down the inside of the bowl to avoid splashes. Stand back as a fizzy foam reaction occurs, potentially breaking apart paper. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then flush it repeatedly.
Dissolve the paper in water.
Other household items you may add to the liquid solution include vinegar, boiling hot lemon juice, and even bleach, which does require caution. After soaking, the paper should become a wad of crumbled material as it dries.
Substances like toilet paper and fecal matter will eventually dissolve within the toilet drain and clear the clog organically. However, blockages made from insoluble materials won't resolve on their own and typically require you to fix the clog manually or contact a professional before they worsen.
You need water, not air, pressure to loosen the clog. If your toilet lacks water, pour in enough water till the plunger is covered. Use a gentle plunge initially since a hard one will force air back around the seal, blowing water all over you and your bathroom floor.
Once the water gets hot, pour it down your toilet drain, and allow it to sit for several minutes to see if the clog will loosen up. Then, give your toilet one or two flushes. In many cases, hot water is enough to break down the blockage and get things moving again.
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.
Drain snakes also called drain rooters or augers, use a long cable with a spiral-shaped head.
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. Boiling water helps break down grease and soap holding the clog together to clear the blockage. This method is easy and only requires one or two steps. Most important is to boil water on a stove using a kettle or saucepan.
If you put too much baking soda down a drain onto a clog, it can sit on the clog and become a solid mass as it is subjected to more and more water. This will make the block worse and even harder to remove.
Septic system owners have long relied on RID-X® along with occasional pumping to help keep their septic systems free-flowing. Breaks down paper. RID-X® contains cellulase enzymes, the only enzyme that can digest paper.
If you can't stop the overflow with a plunger, it's essential to call a plumber immediately to prevent further damage and address the root cause. Overflowing toilets can result from: Severe Blockages: A severe blockage can prevent water from flowing through the pipes, causing it to back up and overflow.