If you’ve ever experienced a clogged toilet, you know how frustrating it can be, so how to unclog toilet when nothing works? Whether it’s a stubborn blockage or a recurring issue, a clogged toilet can disrupt your daily routine and overwhelm you.
But don’t worry. There are practical methods to unclog your toilet and restore things. This article will provide step-by-step instructions and tips to help unclog your toilet when nothing else works.
How to Unclog Toilet When Nothing Works
There are various effective tools and tricks to unclog the toilet. Good ways to unclog a backed-up toilet include using a plunger, a drain snake, hot water, vinegar, and baking soda.
1. How to unclog toilet with Plunger
A plunger is a good tool for unclogging a backed-up toilet, as it produces suction and pressure to dislodge the blockage.
Plungers are widely available, inexpensive, and easy to use, making them a popular and effective solution for many toilet clogs.
However, if the plunger doesn’t work or you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn or recurring clog, you may need to try additional methods or seek professional help.
Here are the steps for using a plunger to unclog a backed-up toilet:
- Get a good quality plunger
- Add water to the bowl
- Position the plunger over the drain hole
- Push and pull with a firm, steady motion
- Check for success and flush the toilet
- Repeat if necessary.
2. How to unclog toilet with Vinegar and Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can help break up blockages, remove stains and absorb odors.
Vinegar is acidic and reacts with baking soda to create a foaming reaction that can help loosen and dislodge debris in the drain.
Combining baking soda and vinegar can be an effective and natural way to help unclog a toilet. To use this method:
- Pour one cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl.
- Add one to two cups of vinegar to the bowl, and quickly cover the opening with a lid or plunger to prevent the mixture from splashing out.
- Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes or until the foam subsides.
- Flush the toilet to see if the blockage has cleared.
3. How to unclog toilet with Dish Soap and Hot Water
Using dish soap and hot water to unclog a toilet is an easy, inexpensive, and eco-friendly method that effectively breaks up blockages. It’s also safe for pipes and doesn’t require harsh chemicals.
However, its effectiveness may vary depending on the type and severity of the clog. If the blockage persists, you may need to try a different method or seek professional help.
- Squeeze dish soap into the toilet and press the flush button.
- The slippery liquid makes debris move smoothly and unclogs your pipelines.
- If you do not have dishwasher soap, it’s time for bar soap.
- Gently crush the soap bar, put it into the toilet, and flush it. It will do the same as the liquid.
- After that, take a bucket of hot water, not boiling, and pour it into the toilet from a reasonable height. Pressure will unclog the toilet.
4. Suck out the Clog with Wet/Dry Cleaner
Using a wet/dry vacuum cleaner to unclog a toilet can be an effective method that doesn’t require chemicals or tools like a plunger.
However, it does require access to a wet/dry vacuum cleaner and careful attention to avoid damaging the vacuum. Here’s how to do it:
- Ensure the vacuum is set to “wet” mode to avoid damaging the vacuum.
- Remove as much water from the toilet bowl as possible, using a cup or bowl or flushing the toilet with the clog still in place.
- Place the vacuum hose over the toilet drain and create a seal around the drain hole. You may need to hold the hose in place or use duct tape to create a tight seal.
- Turn on the vacuum and let it run for a few seconds or until you hear the clog being pulled out of the drain.
- Turn off the vacuum and remove the hose from the drain.
- Flush the toilet to see if the blockage has cleared.
5. How to unclog toilet with Wire Hanger
A wire hanger can also be used to unclog a toilet. Unwind a wire hanger and straighten it as much as possible. Bend one end of the wire hanger to create a small hook.
Insert the hook end of the hanger into the toilet drain and use it to dislodge the blockage. Once the blockage has been broken up, flush the toilet to see if the clog has cleared.
A wire hanger is a low-cost and readily available option for unclogging a toilet. It also doesn’t require using chemicals or tools like a plunger.
However, it’s important to use caution and avoid damaging the toilet bowl or drain when using a wire hanger.
6. Use an Enzyme Product
An enzyme-based cleaner is a relatively safe and effective way to break down organic waste, clear a clogged toilet, and clean silicone utensils.
It’s also easy to use and requires no physical effort, like plunging or using a wire hanger. However, choosing a high-quality product and following the usage instructions carefully for the best results is important.
Purchase an enzyme-based cleaner specifically designed for breaking down organic waste in toilets. Follow the instructions on the cleaner’s packaging, as the specific usage instructions may vary depending on the product.
Typically, you’ll pour the recommended amount of cleanser into the toilet bowl and let it sit for a specified time. After the recommended time has passed, flush the toilet to see if the clog has cleared.
7. When to Call a Professional Plumber
When the issue becomes serious, it’s time to call a professional plumber.
While there are several methods you can try to unclog a toilet on your own, there are some situations where it’s best to call a professional plumber.
Here are some signs that you may need to call a plumber:
- The toilet is backing up and causing water to overflow onto the floor.
- The toilet is gurgling or making strange noises when you flush it.
- You notice sewage smells coming from the toilet or drains in your home.
- You’ve tried fixing the issue but have damaged the toilet or plumbing.
In any of these situations, it’s best to call a professional plumber to avoid further damage or potential health hazards.
A plumber will have the expertise and tools to diagnose and fix the issue safely and effectively.
How to Prevent a Toilet from Clogging
Prevention is better than cure. You learned all the possible unclogging methods. But we recommend you follow crucial steps and tips to prevent clogging.
Some people show laziness and throw whatever they want in the toilet bowl. Here is the list of things professionals strongly reject to flush. Here we go:
- Paper towel
- Baby diapers and wipes
- Cigarette buds
- Dental floss
- Bandages
- Face masks
FAQs
How do you force a toilet to unclog?
Baking soda and vinegar mixture is the best way to force the toilet to unclog. For this, take two cups of vinegar and a cup of soda in the toilet bowl.
Let them rest for a few hours, then flush them. The clogged toilet is now unclogged.
How do you unclog a toilet when all else fails?
If nothing works, use dishwashing liquid or soap, its slippery texture makes debris slip away, and the toilet gets unclogged. For this, put smaller soap chinks or liquid soap in the toilet bowl.
Now pour a bucket full of hot water into it. This is the quickest way to unclog the toilet.
Conclusion
You have read about how to unclog toilet when nothing works. If none of the methods mentioned earlier work to unclog a toilet with paper towel debris, it’s best to call a professional plumber for assistance.
Harsh chemicals or objects that could damage the plumbing system or toilet should be avoided. A plumber will have the tools and expertise to safely and effectively remove the clog.
