It happens to the best of us… clogged toilets. They can present themselves when you least expect it. In addition to messy water overflow, they can go on to ruin flooring, ceilings, walls, and much more. Knowing how to unclog a toilet with and without a plunger is beneficial information just in case you ever get caught without one.
Here are seven ways to unclog a toilet without a plunger, so you don’t have to panic the next time it happens to you.
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Before trying these steps to unclog toilets, ensure the rubber flapper is down inside the tank. You may have to unhook the chain to do this. If the water level is too high, it may be necessary to take some of the water out of the bowl before removing a toilet clog.
1. Hot Water
Hot water is one of the best ways to unclog a toilet. Simply fill a bucket with hot water from the bathtub or sink, stand up, and pour from waist level. The warm water and pressure of pouring may dislodge the clog. Be sure not to use boiling water as it may crack the porcelain.
2. Dish Soap
Dish soap may work well as an alternative plunger for toilet problems. The soap’s slippery consistency may help the clog slide down the pipes a little easier. Pour about one-half cup of liquid dish soap into the toilet. Add some hot water and give it some time to penetrate the clog.
3. Wire Hanger Snake Drain
There’s always a trusty wire hanger around when you’ve got a toilet that won’t unclog. If the culprit is a larger item, you may need to dislodge the object so water can flow. Straighten out a wire hanger, insert it into the toilet, and move it around until the blockage becomes dislodges and flows down the drain.
4. Baking Soda
Just about everyone has this staple on hand. For an all-natural toilet unclogger, shake one cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl, followed by two cups of vinegar. Allow it to fizz for about half an hour. You may need to help it along with some hot water.
5. Plastic Water Bottle
If you’re wondering how to unclog a toilet fast, a two-liter plastic water bottle may be your best toilet plunger when there’s none other to be found. Put on rubber gloves as you may need to stick your hands in the toilet.
Fill the water bottle with hot water from the tub, put your thumb over the opening of the water bottle and insert it down into the drain of the toilet bowl. Then squeeze the water bottle—the warm water and the pressure work together to dislodge the clog. You may need to repeat a few times.
6. Toilet Bowl Brush
While there might not be a plunger by the toilet, there may be a toilet brush that can be an efficient plunger in a pinch. This is how to do it: wrap a plastic bag around the end of the toilet brush and up the handle. Push into the toilet’s drain and plunge with an up and down motion until the clog releases.
7. Liquid Drain Cleaning Chemicals (In Moderation)
There are a plethora of chemical toilet clog removers available out there, such as Drano for toilets. Drano toilet products and other liquid unclogging systems can be a quick and temporary way to deal with clogs.
However, you should not overuse these chemicals or rely on them to solve the problem long-term. They can actually be damaging to your plumbing system if you use too much for too long.
Related: Why Is My Toilet Leaking From The Bottom?
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Now you know how to unclog a toilet when a plunger doesn’t work or isn’t available. Knowing how to fix a clogged toilet may help keep damage to a minimum and the water in your pipes flowing freely.
How To Unclog a Toilet When a Plunger Doesn’t Work
If you’ve tried all these steps and nothing seems to work, you may have a bigger problem on your hands than you can handle on your own. Even the best plungers can fail you, and sometimes the only thing to do is schedule professional drain cleaning services.
A plumber knows how to unblock a badly blocked toilet, so you don’t end up doing more damage than good. If you have plumbing issues or clogs that just won’t budge, contact Larking Plumbing to help get things flowing again. We’ve got what it takes to handle all your residential and commercial plumbing needs.