DIY Solutions For A Clogged Toilet And When To Call The Plumbing Contractor

A clogged toilet can be a terrible inconvenience at home, especially at night or during weekends. The good news is that you can use a few DIY strategies to unclog your toilet.

Most of these DIY strategies are simple, and you only need a few household supplies.

However, if your toilet is still clogged after attempting these DIY strategies, ask a plumbing contractor to check it.

Here are two of those strategies.

The Soap and Water Solution

You can use a water and soap solution to clear a clogged toilet while you wait for the plumbing contractor to assess your drainage system. Here's a step-by-step guide for this DIY solution:

  1. Mix a bucket of hot water with liquid or powdered soap.
  2. Pour the soapy water into your toilet bowl slowly to dissolve the waste. The soapy solution will help disseminate the blocks of waste, slide them down the drainage, and ease the blockage.
  3. If the toilet is still clogged, prepare another solution and repeat the process.
  4. Flush the toilet a few times after the clog is gone to clear any remaining debris.

While this is practical, it will only work for minor clogs. This means the problem should be gone after one or two rounds of hot soapy water. 

However, if your toilet is still clogged, call a plumbing contractor to assess and fix the problem.

The Water Bottle Pressure Strategy

You can also use a water bottle filled with warm water to dislodge a minor clog in your toilet. Here's how you do it:

  1. Remove the water from the toilet bowl. Wear plastic gloves and a face mask, and use a small container to scoop the water from the bowl.
  2. Put water into a plastic container, seal the top with your finger, then place it top-first into the toilet outlet.
  3. Remove your thumb so that the water in the bottle flows into the outlet. Squeeze the bottle on the sides to exert pressure and force the warm water down the toilet.
  4. Pour hot water into the toilet to check if you've cleared the clog.
  5. If the water doesn't flow, repeat step 2.
  6. Finally, pour a bucket of hot clean water into the bowl, and let it sit there till it cools down. Flush the water down to remove any residue from the clog.

If, after this process, your toilet is still clogged or it blocks again almost immediately, call a plumbing contractor. The problem could be more extensive, like a filled-up septic tank or a damaged drainage system. The contractor can assess your home's whole waste drainage system, fix the problem and give you tips to avoid similar issues.

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