How to Unclog a Toilet
Not many things are as scary as a clogged toilet. When a user flushes the bowl, the water will rise instead of going down the drainpipe. You may find yourself being chased by your bodily wastes out of the bathroom. Such a horrible scenario can be prevented if you know how to unclog a toilet. With the aid of several plumbing tools, the job shouldn’t be too hard. Here is a list of items that can help you remove all sorts of toilet blockages.
Plunger - The plunger, with its ball or cup-shaped rubber head, is a dependable item for toilet clogs. Its flexible head, when moving up and down, pushes the water down forcefully, which dislodges the blockage from its spot. Position the plunger’s head inside the bowl. Once done, repeatedly push and release the handle. The object stuck inside the bowl will eventually surface. Ideally, you should use at least a fairly large plunger, since the force produced is directly proportional to the instrument’s size.
Wire Hanger - Large solid obstructions give plungers a hard time, since water is not hard enough to displace them. You need a solid apparatus to remove the obstruction. Bend a wire hanger and shape it like the contours of a toilet’s drainage. Once done, push it inside the toilet then move it forcefully in different directions. The obstruction will be dislodged after a few hits from the hanger.
Toilet Snake - If the obstruction is buried deep in the drainage, the wire hanger may not reach it. In this case, you can use a toilet snake. Insert the long flexible tool inside the toilet’s drainage until it its the blockage. Move the snake forcefully in a variety of directions, which will eventually dislodge the object blocking the drainage. If the obstruction is large and is tightly stuck, you can use the snake in reverse. The solid handle of the snake can push metal objects out of the drainage.
Chemical Clog Remover - Chemical clog removers are specially formulated to dissolve clogs. Its abrasive base melts solid objects like tissue paper and soap. Its pretty effective but you should wear safety gear when using the chemical. It can damage your skin. Never use it conjunction with the plunger.
Removing a toilet clog, especially for overflown toilets, is an unsanitary job. You must wear rubber gloves and cover the bathroom floor with several layers of newspaper. Remember, the residue left by splashing toilet water is sometimes harder to clean than toilet clogs, for pretty obvious reasons.