You may be in a situation where you have a clogged toilet at the worst possible moment, especially if you do not have a plunger at hand. The good thing is that there are ways to unclog a toilet without a plunger using other household items.
If you are wondering how to unclog a toilet without a plunger, there are a few simple methods you can try before calling a plumber.
Before you try any of the following ways, you should first ensure that the rubber flapper inside your toilet tank is in the downward position. If you want to remove the metal chain attached to the flap, this should be done before there is more water filling the toilet bowl.
If your toilet bowl is about to overflow, then you will have to remove some of the water in the bathtub to avoid an overflow. This is an important first step in understanding how to clear a clogged toilet safely.
Next, we’ll cover the seven ways to unclog a toilet without a plunger.
1. Use Hot Water
One of the most efficient methods of breaking down a clog in the toilet is by using hot water. If you want to unclog a toilet with hot water, get a bucket and fill it with hot water from the tap in the basin or bathtub, and then lift the bucket to around waist height and pour it into the toilet bowl.
The heat and pressure of the flowing hot water could cause the obstruction to become loose and move away toward the drain. Remember that you should not use boiling water! Extremely hot water may crack the porcelain, and you may need emergency plumbing for that.
This method may help if you are looking for how to unclog a toilet fast, especially when the blockage is not too deep or solid.
2. Add Dish Soap
Dish soap provides a lubricating effect that will enable the clog to move smoothly through your toilet drain. If you want to unclog a toilet with dish soap, you will need about 1/2 cup of dish soap (liquid) and pour it into the toilet bowl. Follow it up with hot water and let it flow until the clog is reached.
3. Try a Wire Hanger Drain Snake
A wire coat hanger can also serve as a makeshift drain snake when your clog is due to something larger or a particularly stubborn blockage. After removing the coating on the hanger, insert the hanger straight into the toilet drain. Move the hanger around and try to loosen or dislodge the clog to allow the water to drain again. Be careful not to scratch the toilet bowl.
4. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
Another home remedy for clearing out a clog from your toilet is a combination of baking soda and vinegar. This can work as a homemade toilet unclogger when the blockage is mild. Start by putting one cup of baking soda into your toilet, and after that, pour in two cups of vinegar. Leave it for thirty minutes and, if needed, use some hot water to clear out the clog.
This method combines both ingredients to create a fizzing reaction that may help loosen the blockage.
5. Use a Plastic Water Bottle
A two-liter plastic water bottle can deliver sufficient pressure, like a plunger, to clear the clog from the drain. Wear rubber gloves first. Then, fill the bottle with hot water from the bathtub, cover its opening with your thumb, and push the neck of the bottle into the drain of the toilet so that the water comes out from the bottle and puts pressure on the clog.
You might need to repeat the process several times to completely unclog your toilet. Make sure not to make any plumbing mistakes that may cost you more.
6. Use a Toilet Bowl Brush
In a situation in which a plunger isn’t available, you could use a toilet brush to clear the clog. Get a plastic bag and wrap it over the toilet brush’s bristles and some of its handles. You’ll then need to push the toilet brush down the toilet drain hole in an up-and-down pumping motion to break up the blockage.
7. Use Liquid Drain Cleaning Chemicals in Moderation
There are instances where liquid drain cleaners can offer a temporary solution to the blockage problem, but it is advisable to stop using such chemicals because they are not useful for a long time and can damage your plumbing system over time.
What To Do if the Toilet Still Will Not Unclog
If you have tried everything and the toilet still won’t drain, then you may need the help of professionals, as the clog may be more serious than just a simple blockage. Just having a good plunger may not solve the situation, as sometimes toilets can get seriously blocked.
In that case, you would need the help of professionals. Professional plumbers use special tools that are designed to eliminate blocked toilets from your plumbing system easily.
The team here at Larkin Plumbing will be able to assist — we’ve got what it takes to handle all your residential and commercial plumbing needs. Our experts can diagnose the problem, remove the clog, and help prevent further damage to your plumbing system.
Got a clog you do not want to deal with? Larkin Plumbing can help. Contact us to schedule a plumbing service.
