Everyone has been there at least once- standing in front of their toilet, panicked as they suddenly realize that the toilet water isn’t rising back up like they had hoped. And it really isn’t as hard as one may think to clog a toilet. With standard toilet tubing being about 3” in diameter, things can block up quite easily. So, what do you do? You grab your handy plunger and get to work. But what happens if you’re plunger just isn’t cutting it?
Lubricate
The first thing to try when the plunger doesn’t work out, is lubrication. One way to try this is with dish soap or shampoo. Pour some directly into the toilet bowl and let it sit for a little while. Just like dish soap would make you go faster on your slip n slide in childhood summers, it’ll also give the clog a little oomph to get moving faster.
If soap doesn’t work, hot water may also do the trick. Get it as hot as you can, whether that can be boiling or just a really hot tap. Same way as the soap, pour that into the toilet bowl.
Another method could be using baking soda and vinegar to help dissolve the clog within the pipes, however be careful not to add too much or the bowl may overflow.
Get Physical
If lubrication isn’t getting the clog moving, you’ll have to get in there a bit. A drain snake is the best tool for the job; however, you can also create a makeshift drain snake out of a wire hanger by bending it straight. Whichever you use, snake the device down into the bowels of your toilet bowl until you reach the clog- you’ll know you hit it. Once you get in there, twist the clog around and try to separate things a bit.
Go With Chemicals
Beyond this, you can try branded cleaning chemicals made specifically for this purpose. Just be sure to research before you buy anything, as some of these types of cleaners can often end up doing more harm than good for your plumbing.
Call For Help
If all else fails, call the experts. We know it’s probably not something you’re happy to do, but it’s for the best, we swear. You can’t go without a toilet forever, and the clog isn’t going to go away any time soon if nothing above helps. This is stuff they see every day; your clogged toilet certainly won’t stick out as anything odd in the life of a trained plumber.
At Faulstick Plumbing, we specialize in installs, repairs, and inspections for all of your well, water, and plumbing needs. Our family-owned and operated business has built a reputation as the best-doing things the right way with the customer in mind, every time. Give us a call at 570-992-0447 to discuss your needs today!
