A plumbing snake, also known as an “auger,” is a flexible coil that is used to break up drain clogs or pull them out. The best snake to use for your clogged toilet is a “closet auger”. It is designed particularly to clear the clogs on your toilet without actually damaging or staining the bowl.
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.
Baking soda and vinegar
As soon as the mixture starts to fizz in the cup, pour it down the toilet and let it work on the blockage for about five minutes. If a subsequent flush doesn't clear the toilet, try repeating again with more baking soda.
Start by using a plunger, which creates a vacuum to force clogs out of drains. Heavy-duty plungers with either ball-shaped heads or rubber flanges on the bottom are much more effective than conventional suction cup-shaped plungers. Make sure the toilet bowl contains enough water to submerge the head of the plunger.
Perhaps the best type of plunger to use on a toilet is the accordion plunger. This is made entirely out of hard plastic and contains an accordion-like entity that provides substantial amounts of suction. Accordion plungers fit directly into toilets' drain holes, offering a tight seal during the plunging process.
A very good method of unclogging a toilet without the need for a plunger is to use dishwashing liquid, especially if the obstruction is only partially blocked or results from grease or organic waste.
Just add a bit of dish soap around the hole in the toilet. Add some hot water and let sit for about 20 minutes. Then flush. The soap and hot water should lubricate the clog enough to clear it.
Pour in boiling water.
The high heat will help soften compacted paper and flush small pieces away. Repeat using smaller amounts of boiling water if needed. Do not lean over the toilet during this.
Put soda and vinegar into the toilet: Take one cup of white vinegar, which you may have in your pantry, and an equal amount of baking soda – then pour it into the bowl. Put the baking soda in first for a better reaction. You can use smaller amounts for minor blockages.
Costs Associated With Unclogging A Toilet
Toilet unclogging projects can range anywhere from $85-$600, depending upon the overall extent of the clog. Basic cleanouts will only cost around $80-$150, but serious clogs may require more sophisticated drain cleaning technology that increases the average costs to $150-$300.
Yes, a toilet can unclog itself over time, but it depends on what is causing the blockage. If the clog is made up of water-soluble materials, like toilet paper or fecal matter, then eventually they will begin dissolving if you give them enough time.
We recommend you add a cup of baking soda to your blocked toilet and wait for some minutes. Next, pour two cups of vinegar slowly into the toilet. Vinegar and baking soda will typically react to form bubbles, so ensure you pour carefully and slowly to prevent the toilet water from overflowing or splashing.
Letting a clogged toilet sit too long can result in more severe problems. Beyond the risk of overflow and water damage, the clog could also cause toilet water to back up into other parts of your plumbing system, affecting sinks, showers, and even your home's main sewer line.
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.
Toilet Augers: For Tougher Clogs
This tool can reach deeper into the toilet to break up or pull out the clog.
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.
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.
The Short Answer Is: A toilet can repeatedly clog due to several reasons, including inadequate flushing power, an obstructed trap or drainpipe, or an accumulation of non-flushable materials like toilet paper, hygiene products, or foreign objects.
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.
If the blockage is a build-up of tissue paper, pour 3-4 cups of hot (not boiling) water from waist height into the toilet bowl. Give the hot water around 20 minutes to breakdown the blockage.
One of the most compelling reasons why Drano Max Gel Clog Remover is considered the best toilet unclogger liquid and Drano's commitment to safety. Despite its potent formulation, Drano is safe for all types of drain & sewer pipes and septic systems when used as directed.
Plungers are effective for minor blockages and should be your first approach. However, if plunging doesn't resolve the issue after several tries, reach for a snake. Toilet snakes can go deeper into the drain system and are better suited for breaking up or removing stubborn clogs that a plunger can't budge.