Does any of these sound familiar? Slow flushing, an overfull or overflowing bowl, or foul smells all coming from your toilet are cause for concern. If you’ve noticed any of the following signs occurring with your toilet, it could be completely or partially blocked with a clog.
Toilets can often clog for a variety of reasons. These can include a lack of knowledge about what constitutes a flushable item, the age of the toilet and plumbing system, and how much toilet paper has been flushed. It’s important to know what should and shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, as this may contribute to further clogs in the future.
Before you begin the work of unclogging your toilet, it’s important to determine what might be clogging your system. This will help you decide on the method of unclogging. For example, wipes, paper towels, hair, feminine products, and similar items should not be flushed. Accidents do happen, so determine if these or other large objects were flushed by mistake, such as children’s toys, toilet bowl deodorizers, or other items.
Having a clogged toilet can disrupt more than just your day-to-day household routine. It can cause health concerns and cost a lot of money if not dealt with properly. Don’t panic! The experts at AC by J are here to help. We can walk you through tips on unclogging a toilet correctly, what not to do, and when it’s time to call the experts. We can help you with any clogged toilet issues that you may have. Find a list of helpful tips below.
#1: Get the Right Plunger
When unclogging a toilet, you must be using the correct instruments. There are different types of plungers that you may or may not be familiar with. For example, the cup plunger, the flange plunger, and the accordion plunger are three of the most common types of plungers. An accordion or flange plunger is the best choice to rectify a toilet clog. The cup plunger works well with flat surfaces, like in a sink or shower, but in a toilet, it won’t be able to make an effective seal. A flange plunger works well with toilet clogs because it fits nicely over toilet drains, creating an effective seal to clear the clog. The accordion plunger is designed explicitly for toilet clogs. It has a smaller cup designed to fit inside the toilet drain. This type of plunger may require more force to use but will provide stronger suction.
#2: Hot Water and Dish Soap
If you can’t find a plunger but need a solution, you can try hot water and dish soap. Choose a dish soap that is dense and known for its ability to fight grease. Pour the soap into the toilet bowl slowly and steadily to avoid splashing. Allow the soap to sit for a good while before preparing the hot water. Actual boiling water should not be used in a toilet, so fill a basin with hot tap water just below boiling. Again, pour the hot water into the toilet bowl slowly to avoid splashing or disrupting the hot water to cause injury. Be careful not to overflow the toilet. Wait 30 minutes to allow the solution to penetrate the clog, and try a flush to see if the clog has cleared.
#3: Try a Plumbing Snake
A plumbing snake is sometimes referred to as a plumbing auger by professionals. This device is particularly fruitful for excessively stubborn toilet clogs. The plumbing snake has the flexibility, length, and rubber coating design to safely navigate the toilet’s drain without damaging the porcelain. When using a plumbing snake, you’ll want to prepare the area you’ll be working in. Be sure to wear proper gloves and eye protection. Place some towels around the toilet where you’ll be working to catch any overflow or splashing. Keep a bucket or trash bag nearby to contain any clog you may have to remove by hand. If you aren’t handy, this one is probably best left to a professional plumber.
#4: Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
You’ll want to avoid drain cleaners that use corrosive chemicals to unclog your toilet. These chemicals can cause your plumbing pipes, bolts, and seals to break down, causing further damage down the drain. Many chemical drain cleaners are not meant for toilet plumbing. Many chemical drain cleaners create heat as part of the chemical reaction, which can warp parts of your bathroom plumbing system.
#5: Check the Water Level
Sometimes, sneaky toilet clogs can be caused by a faulty toilet flapper. If you take the lid off of your toilet tank, you’ll find the toilet flapper, which is a round rubber gasket at the bottom of the tank that allows water from the tank to flow into the bowl when flushing. An ineffective flapper or one that has deteriorated will cause weak flushes that won’t push all the contents of the toilet through the pipes. Fixes to this issue include replacing the flapper if it’s beyond sealing and adjusting the chain to shorten it.
#6: Know When to Call a Professional
There are some instances where the best choice you can make for your clogged toilet is to call a plumbing company to assist. If you’ve tried plumbing, but the clog persists, the toilet bowl is cracked, you’ve discovered a foreign object has clogged the toilet, or your toilet just won’t stop running, it’s time to call for professional help. A plumber will be able to assess the situation and provide you with expert advice on how to proceed. There are unique systems like hydrojetting and other tricks and tools that will be able to meet your unique needs.
#7 Prevent Future Clogs
Educate yourself and those in your household on the appropriate items to flush down the toilet and how much toilet paper to use. Avoid storing small objects, such as decorative seashells, rocks, or potpourri, on the back of your toilet bowl that can easily fall in and clog the toilet. If you live in a house where small children often try to flush objects like toys down the toilet, consider a child safety device on the toilet bowl to prevent such accidents.
Expert Plumbing Help is Just a Call Away!
If you have a stubborn clog in your toilet that is giving you a hard time, reach out to our team of experienced plumbers. We’ve been the most reliable plumbing company in the Valley since 1983. Turn to AC by J whether you have a clogged drain, need tankless water heater repair, want a new shower installation, or suspect you have a leak in your pipes. As an affordable plumber in Scottsdale, we want to make sure the process of finding a plumber is quick and easy for you.
Call our team of plumbers today to revamp the plumbing in your home!
