How To Fix a Clogged Toilet
A toilet is one of those things you just need to work. Even with how much you need your toilet, you probably don’t put much thought into how well it works until it stops doing its job. In most cases, the problem is a clogged drain. It’s a common issue, but it can cause a significant disruption to your everyday life. Not only that, but it can make the bathroom unsanitary.
Fortunately, you don’t need any special skills or expensive tools to fix most clogged toilets. In this post, we are going to cover some of the steps that can help any homeowner when they have a clogged toilet.
If you’ve tried these methods and are still having problems with your toilet, please contact a professional at Service Pros Plumbing.
Stop the Water
Most clogs are discovered when you go to flush the toilet and the water starts to back up. In some cases, it could overflow the rim and get toilet water all over the floor. If this occurs, you need to act fast to stop the water from filling the bowl. Open the tank on the back of the toilet and close the flapper to keep the water from emptying into to the bowl. After that, you want to close the supply valve on the toilet to prevent more water from entering the system.
Start With Your Plunger
Every home should have a plunger and this is the first tool you should go for when you have a clogged toilet drain. It is important to understand that not all plungers are equal. Your standard plunger with a simple bell-shaped end is better than nothing, but for toilets, you want one of the plungers with a rubber flange that extends off the end. The flange is designed to fit down in the toilet drain to create better suction and this will help when it comes to clearing a clogged drain.
Try a Plumber’s Snake
If your plunger won’t do the trick, the next step is to try a drain auger. A drain snake is a long coil of wire that has an auger at the end. You feed it down the drain, and when it encounters an obstruction, you turn the snake counterclockwise. This allows the auger to dig into the clog and break it up, or possibly hook an object so it can be pulled out of the drain. You have several different designs when it comes to buying a drain auger, but you do not need to spend a lot of money on the most expensive one you can find. Even a cheap drain snake should be able to get your drain clear.
Try a Liquid Drain Cleaner
If you are still having trouble after trying the drain snake and the plunger, you could move on to various liquid drain cleaning solutions. Most of the drain cleaners you will find at the supermarket are harsh chemicals that should be avoided. They tend to be the most effective at removing clogs, but they also have the potential to damage the drain line. For safe alternatives, you could try an enzyme drain cleaner or you could use baking soda and vinegar. With baking soda and vinegar, you just add a single cup of baking soda to the toilet, wait 5-10 minutes and then slowly pour about two cups of vinegar into the toilet. Allow the toilet to sit for about fifteen minutes and then try to flush it.
If you have tried all of these methods and still have a problem, it is time to call in the professionals and Service Pros Plumbing in Rochester MN is one of the best. Some clogs are tougher than others, and in some cases, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. A professional plumber will be able to inspect the drain to diagnose the problem, and they will have the tools and the knowhow that is needed to fix a clogged toilet drain that can’t be cleared with methods like plunging and snaking.
