How To Unclog A Toilet

A toilet that won’t flush is one of the most dreaded household problems no one wants to deal with, but plumbing clogs are a common issue everyone experiences at one point or another.

With the right knowledge, you can typically use a plunger to effectively unclog your toilet. Our educated team here at Hi-tech Plumbing & Leak Detect would like to share some easy tips for the next time you find yourself in this situation.

Prepping Beforehand

You’ll need to keep a few things in mind before you get started. Using rubber gloves to protect your hands is important since you’ll be working with wastewater and it can get messy. It’s also a good idea to keep an empty bucket nearby in case you need to add water to the toilet bowl or to place the soiled plunger in while you’re not using it.

Many people don’t realize there are a few different types of plungers serving different (but similar) purposes. The most recognized plungers are the orange, suction-cup style ones. These are helpful in the kitchen since they’re especially useful in clearing clogs from the sink. But to unclog your toilet, there are some better options.

Different Toilet Plungers

The two tools that work best for plunging your toilet are the flange plunger and the accordion plunger. They form a tight seal around the drain of your toilet and use pressure to push the blockage down.

Learning to properly use a plunger can be one of the most cost-efficient ways to clear a drain clog in your home. Now that you understand the different types and the right circumstances to use them in, we’ll describe the step-by-step process of how to effectively unclog your toilet with one.

How To Unclog A Toilet

• Before you begin, make sure there’s enough water in the toilet bowl to cover at least to the rim of the plunger. If you can submerge the whole head, that’s even better.
• When you’re ready to start, angle the plunger enough so the cup piece fills with water rather than air. Position the flange over the drain to allow the cup to form a tight seal around the hole inside your toilet.
• Use both hands to apply a gentle force down on the plunger handle, then quickly pull back up without compromising the seal. It’s important to do this without pushing down too hard as doing so can lead to damage and cause a leak. Repeat this process for about 20 seconds or until necessary, at which point the toilet should empty by itself.
• Pull off the tank lid and use your hand to shut the rubber flapper at the bottom to prevent water from rising in your toilet bowl. Then, try flushing. If it flushes normally, you’re all done! But if water is still unable to drain, turn the knob on the wall behind your toilet to shut it off. You can repeat the previous steps and try again.
• Still not working? You can try using a toilet auger as a last resort if you want to. But if this still doesn’t fix the problem, it’s best to contact a plumber.

Professional Plumbing Services

Stubborn toilet clogs can quickly turn into a stressful situation, especially if you’re dealing with an overflow. Our dedicated team at Hi-Tech Plumbing & Leak Detect is here to provide you with top-notch plumbing and drain cleaning services!