When a toilet gets clogged, you should be able to grab the closest flange plunger and fix the problem in a minute or two. But what do you do if you don’t have a plunger and your toilet is clogged? You might have just moved to a new home. Maybe you’re at your plunger-less friend’s house. Is the plunger the only way to clear a clogged toilet?
Luckily, it’s not as hard (or gross) as you think to unclog a toilet without a plunger. Even if you don’t have a plunger, there are a few surprisingly easy ways to clear even the toughest clogs.
Here is a list of methods to unclog a toilet using things you can find in your home:
Hot Water Method
You should start by getting a large pail of hot water. However, keep in mind not to use boiling hot water because it may cause damage to your sewage system. The porcelain of the toilet bowl can break if you pour boiling water into it. Instead, just use the hottest water from your tap to fill a bucket. Fill the toilet bowl almost all the way with hot water and let it sit for a while.
Any solid waste should be dissolved by heat. Once the solid waste has been broken down, flush the toilet and rinse the bowl with clean water.
Unclog With Dish Soap
Pour a large amount of dishwashing liquid into the toilet. Use a product with a strong grease-cutting formula. Leave it for about fifteen minutes as it settles. Any clumps can be loosened with the soap. The bowl and pipes will also be lubricated, easing the clog’s journey down the drain.
Put some dish soap in the toilet and flush it down again to see if it helps. The bowl should be refilled with hot (but not boiling) water and left to sit for another 30 minutes.
Give the water and soap a little time to work through the clog before attempting to flush again. Repeat the process, or leave the dish soap in the toilet overnight, if necessary.
Epsom Salt to Unclog Toilet
It’s your lucky day if you happen to have some Epsom salt on hand. Once you mix Epsom salt and water, a chemical reaction occurs that causes the water to foam and bubble. Fizzing and bubbling can do wonders for dissolving blockages.
Sprinkle a handful of Epsom salt in the toilet bowl. After fifteen minutes, try flushing again. After the initial flush, you ought to notice an improvement. You can also add dish soap and hot water method to the mixture for more effectiveness.
Wire Hanger Technique
This is the quickest and most effective method to remove a clog. If using heat and undergoing chemical reactions have failed, you must go right in. Use a wire hanger if you don’t have a toilet brush or the toilet instead. Put your chosen tool into the toilet bowl and jiggle it around inside the opening.
Depending on the nature of the clog, this could be unpleasant; you may want to protect your hands by donning a pair of gloves. While you’re working, take care that the toilet bowl doesn’t become broken. Scratching porcelain is easy with a wire hanger if you’re careless or hard with it.
Call Your Local Plumbing Contractor
No matter how often you try to unclog a drain with a plunger, you may need a plumber’s assistance. Sometimes, clogs and other plumbing troubles come back again because of more significant underlying concerns. If this is the case, it’s time to call the best plumber in the region. You can also contact our partner HVAC contractor.