Ways To Unclog a Toilet: Essential Tools to Use

Some nightmares give you the jitters in your sleep, and then there are those far more horrific that you witness while awake. In short, bad dreams are no competition to a clogged toilet. Leave them unattended, and you’ll never recover from the memory of confronting a situation like this. 

First, stop touching the flush and trying to push it all down. It could be poor lavatory habits, mineral buildup in the plumbing over time, or gaps in maintenance that have led to this situation. A quick inspection might help you figure out the exact reason. As unpleasant as that exercise might seem, you’ll be able to pick the right tool to fix the blockage once you know the problem. This guide is all about that last bit.

Why Using the Right Tool Matters for Toilet Clogs

When you call up a friend or neighbor about the clogging issue in your toilet, each of them will suggest a solution. One of them will recommend using the traditional plunger, while another will assure you that chemical drain cleaners work like a charm.

Figure out the basic tasks an unclogging tool ought to perform before seeking help:

• Effective Suction

Suction serves as a potent solution when dealing with common clogs. Creating an airtight seal and using motion to your benefit can help dislodge items blocking the plumbing of your toilet.

• Quick Drainage

The goal is to rid your plumbing of lodged material, wreaking havoc on your day. The perfect tool will ensure clogs are cleared within the shortest possible time and in the most effective manner. 

• Prevents Damage

With an array of drainage solutions available in the market today, people forget to weigh them for the potential damage they might cause. The ideal tools to unclog toilets do not cause damage to the lavatory itself or to the plumbing system of your home.

If a tool checks these boxes, you can count on it to end your nightmare in a jiffy.

Basic Mechanical Tools Every Homeowner Should Have

A homeowner’s list of the most useful mechanical tools for clearing a stubborn clogged toilet ought to include these:

Toilet Brush

Small clogs can be tackled independently through the conventional toilet brush used for cleaning. If the blockage is visible and not too large in size, you can push it down the plumbing with the brush. Once that is done, flushing will ensure perfect clearance.

The Humble Plunger

Basics are basics for a reason. They are no-brainer solutions and work without fail. The plunger works through effective suction and uses air pressure to dislodge objects or waste lodged in your toilet pipes. It’s a handy tool that works quickly on blockages.

Coat Hangers

You’re probably a little surprised at this one. Well, impact beats astonishment. One way to unclog your toilet is by unhooking whatever is stuck down there. That’s where a coat hanger comes through. Make a hook out of a wire hanger in your wardrobe and use it like a drain snake to retrieve the lodged material hindering drainage.

Advanced Tools for Tough or Deep Toilet Blockages

When simple mechanical tools don’t work, the big guns have to be pulled out.

Air Blaster

An air-cannon that can effectively dislodge mineral buildups and stubborn clogs, air blasters apply compressed air to break down materials. The smaller materials, therefore, easily pass through plumbing.

Septic Cleaners

Bio-activated and rich in enzymes, septic cleaners cause waste matter to disintegrate. For example, Dr. Pooper’s Toilet Bowl & Septic Cleaner helps decompose sludge and ensures your plumbing is restored to its old drainage efficiency. In addition, it combats the stench and keeps your washroom thoroughly hygienic.

Household Items and DIY Alternatives You Can Use Safely For Unclogging

Not a fan of the tools that need you to roll up your sleeves? That’s fine. DIY alternatives can also be used to restore smooth drainage in your clogged toilet.

Baking Soda & Vinegar

Pour one cup of baking soda and vinegar one after another into your toilet bowl. Let the chemical reaction work on the clog. Follow it up with hot water to trigger drainage. The chemical reaction between these two pantry items can aid in dissolving sludge.

Hot Water

Generally, the simplest thing you can do when you spot a toilet clog is to throw hot water down the plumbing. Do not flush the toilet, but let the water rest. It’ll cause the waste to disintegrate in an organic manner and push it further down the plumbing.

Dishwasher Soap

An extension of the hot water DIY method itself, you can add dishwasher soap to the toilet bowl and let it get soaked up by the clog. If the clog isn’t too stubborn, it’ll dislodge and collapse down the plumbing, ensuring drainage. 

When to Call a Professional:

In case the usual tools to unclog toilets end up disappointing you, it's time to ring a professional. A persistent clog can be an indication that more than one fixture in your plumbing system needs attention. Keep your plumber’s contact number handy and let them know the urgency of the situation.

Conclusion

Dealing with a clogged toilet means bidding a perfectly normal day goodbye. You’re plunging at your toilet and pouring Dr. Pooper’s Accelerator Liquid to unclog it instead of running your usual errands. As tedious and unpleasant as that might sound, choosing the right unclogging solution is important for sustaining the overall hygiene of your washroom. 

Weighing options and applying the ideal tool based on the nature of a clog prevents damage to the porcelain and keeps your plumbing system in top-tier condition. Stench is beat, and so are the nightmares!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. What can be used to unclog a toilet?

Common mechanical tools like plungers and advanced unclogging devices like air blasters can be used to unclog drains when your toilet is blocked. Moreover, certain DIY solutions also work well.

2. What is the best tool for unclogging a toilet?

Septic drain cleaners are considered one of the best tools for clearing blockages in the toilet plumbing by aiding the decomposition of waste.

3. How do you unblock a badly blocked toilet?

In order to tackle a stubborn clog, tools like coat hangers (drain snake), air blasters, DIY solutions, and septic cleaners prove effective.

4. What do plumbers recommend to unclog a toilet?

Before the plumber decides to roll up their sleeves and intervene, they recommend using DIY solutions or the traditional plungers to unclog the sewage pipes in your toilet.

5. What tool do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Plumbers resort to air blasters or drain snakes to clear out difficult clogs and restore your drainage system to its old, healthy condition.

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