You’re just minding your own business on a typical morning, when suddenly, your toilet won’t flush despite repeated attempts. It’s likely due to low water pressure.
Oh no, your toilet’s blocked! While it might seem like the flush isn’t working, it’s usually a classic case of a clog caused by too much toilet paper. This needs quick action to avoid overflow. Normally, a plunger is just the tool you need.
But what if your plunger is MIA or just isn’t doing the trick? Believe it or not, you can tackle a blocked toilet with ordinary household items if you’ve got the right know-how.
Take, for example, the hot water trick. Pour half a cup of dish soap into the bowl and carefully add hot water—make sure it’s not boiling to avoid cracking the porcelain. Let it sit for a bit; the soap and water will work on the clog. Use paper towels to mop up any spills for a tidy workspace.
This article will delve into seven ingenious methods to rectify a blocked toilet in the absence of a plunger.
So, without any more dilly-dallying, let’s get on with it!
7 Ways Of Unclogging Your Toilet Without Using A Plunger
1. Boiling Water
When faced with a stubborn toilet clog, sometimes a plunger alone may not suffice. During such toilet crises, a tried and true method is to employ the hot water technique. Simply pour hot water into a pan and bring it to a simmer on the stove, taking care to avoid letting it reach boiling point.
Once the water has heated up, decant it into the blocked toilet, allowing it to address the clog. If successful, you will observe the water draining from the toilet, indicating the clog has been loosened. Proceed to flush the toilet a couple of times to ensure the clog is entirely eradicated. You may need to add more hot bath water until the blockage has been thoroughly cleared.
2. Dish Soap
If you think dishwashing liquid is just for the kitchen, think again! It can break down stubborn clogs without a plunger. Be generous with the amount you use, and try pouring it from a big plastic bottle for easier handling.
You can use a quarter cup of dish soap and pour it into the toilet bowl. Don’t be stingy about using the dishwashing liquid; pour more if you have a nasty clog. Leave it for five to ten minutes to move down the toilet drain to reach the clog. After that, decant some warm water down the toilet and observe the result.
Now, flush the toilet twice to see if the water drains correctly. Usually, the dishwashing liquid works as a lubricant to get the clog moving again.
3. Baking Soda And Vinegar
Vinegar and baking soda are a classic, time-tested combination for effective unclogging options for your toilet. When mixed, vinegar and baking soda form a fizzy mixture that loosens any toilet clogs.
Pour a cup each of baking soda and vinegar into the toilet, and watch the fizzy mix work its magic. Generally, this amount is sufficient to dislodge most clogs.
Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes, then pour some hot water to check whether the toilet drains correctly. You can repeat the process multiple times until every last bit of the clog is removed.
4. Toilet Brush
No matter how gross it may seem, a toilet brush can save you from facing the troubles of a clogged toilet if you don’t have a plunger. Grab your toilet brush and thrust it down by angling the bristles. You might need to get your hands dirty with this one.
Pump the brush-up and down the toilet drain several times to loosen the clog and move everything again. Now, flush it a few times to see if the bathroom properly drains water. If it doesn’t work the first time, you might have to keep it for a few more rounds.
5. Old Coat Hanger
Drain snakes work well in loosening clogs, but you don’t have a toilet snake. Unwind a wire hanger to make it straight, except for the top hook. Then, wrap the hook with a rag to prevent it from scratching the porcelain of your toilet bowl.
Carefully insert the hanger into the bowl and gently manoeuvre it until you hit the blockage. Be sure to wear rubber gloves to keep things tidy. Use the hook to nudge the clog loose. When you see the water start to drain, give it a flush to clear things out.
6. Unclogging Mixture
When speaking of toilet-unclogging liquids, we usually talk about Drano. But if you don’t have Drano, you can always concoct an unclogging mixture right at home using regular pantry staples. Take two cups of baking soda, a quarter cup of Epsom salt, and eight to ten spoons of dishwashing detergent and mix them well. Remember to add the detergent one spoon at a time.
Now, pour the mixture into separate muffin liners and harden overnight. Then, drop one of them in your toilet and add some water. Finally, give it a few hours to see the results. This homemade unclogging mixture can be quite effective in instantly removing the most persistent toilet clogs!
7. Wet/Dry Vacuum
If you’ve tried all the unclogging methods mentioned earlier, we’ve saved the last, but nothing is working. It’s time to Hulk out and rent a wet/dry vacuum to unclog the toilet. But never try unclogging your toilet with your regular vacuum. Only a wet/dry vacuum cleaner can get the job done.
First, use the machine to remove all the water from the toilet bowl. Then, wrap the vacuum hose with an old rag, creating a seal. Now, stick the hose down your toilet drain for a few inches and turn it on. The vacuum cleaner will suck the clog out straightaway.
Get That Toilet Unclogged!
There are plenty of other tools that you can use to unclog your toilet besides the plunger. After you read our article, we hope you will be able to find a solution to your clogged toilets, even if you do not have a plunger to do so.
You can find an arsenal in your kitchen cabinets if you look hard enough. However, remember that before tackling a blocked toilet drain, it is always a good idea to put on your protective rubber gloves first!
When your blockage still refuses to move, talk to Big Blue Plumbing. We can get your toilet working again with years of experience with blocked toilets and damaged drains! Contact our local plumbers now for more information or to schedule an appointment.
And with that, we’ll sign off. Until next time!
