How to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger
Is there anything worse than a clogged toilet?
Every time it happens, your mind begins to race as to how you’re going to go to the bathroom until someone can come to the house and fix it. This sense of dread is heightened even more if you don’t have a plunger in the home to do it yourself.
Fortunately, there are other methods to unclog a toilet when there is no plunger in sight. It doesn’t matter if you’re in your own home or curled up in the foetal position at a friend’s place wondering what everyone will think, you can use these simple tricks to get it working again.
Play the Waiting Game
There’s a saying that patience is a virtue, and sometimes this skill can be helpful when it comes to unclogging a toilet. Instead of continually pushing the button the second the tank refills, wait a few minutes before trying again.
The water can put pressure on the clog while it’s attempting to get flushed. But if you give it some time, it can dislodge on its own. If you’ve got another toilet in the house, then leave the clog overnight before trying to flush again.
Hot Water
It’s important to state that you should never pour boiling water into a toilet. If the water is too hot, then it can crack and give you a bunch of new problems that you won’t want to deal with.
Fill the toilet as much as you can with hot water. It’s best to use a bucket rather than running back and forth between the bathroom and the kitchen. Once full, flush the toilet. The combination of the heat and the pressure from the water should dissolve the clog.
Drain Cleaner
The chemicals in drain cleaners aren’t always the best method as they can cause burns, damage the plumbing, and they’re not exactly environmentally friendly.
But if you don’t have any other cleaning liquids in the house, then this should do the job. Just try to keep the volume to a minimum so that you don’t cause any issues with the other pipes in the house.
Epsom Salt
This solution is best if the clog is in your own home rather than a friend’s place. You don’t want to be rummaging through their kitchen or laundry to find some Epsom salts for the toilet. It might not even be something they have, as it’s not exactly a common household item.
But it is a handy item to have if you are known to having clogged pipes. The salt and water create a fizzy reaction that can help clear the obstruction. Alternatively, you can try a bath bomb as this also elicits the same type of response.
Dishwashing Liquid
If it’s good enough to clean grime, dirt, and grease off plates, cutlery, and cookware, then it should be able to handle a clogged toilet. You should mix dishwashing liquid in hot water for the best results, just like you would when you do the dishes.
You’ll need to wait approximately half an hour for this solution to work. If it’s a nasty clog, then let it sit overnight. You can also use shampoo if you don’t own any dishwashing liquid, as it’s also suitable for cleaning grime, dirt, and grease in a different way.
Clothes Hanger
If you have a spare wire hanger that you know you’ll never use again, then it could help unclog your toilet when you don’t have a plunger. It can work in a similar way to a plumber’s snake if you modify it the right way.
Unravel the wire hanger and straighten it out. If there are any rough edges, then you should wrap it in a cloth so that it doesn’t scratch the pipes or the bowl of the toilet. Send it down and stab at the obstruction to try and loosen it. Once you feel you’ve made some progress, flush the toilet to try and unclog the rest of it.
Toilet Brush
Most toilets have a brush sitting innocently alongside them. Not only does it help clean bowls, but it can also be used to unclog toilets.
You’ll need to force the brush down the bowl and then move it back and forth in the same way you would use a plunger. Try not to be too rough as you don’t want to cause any more damage. Prepare for some splashback if you choose this method, so you may want to dress appropriately and wear some gloves as well.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
If you ever made a volcano in primary school, then you’ll know the power of baking soda and vinegar. While it makes for a stunning effect, it can also help unclog your toilet.
Start by pouring a cup of baking soda into the bowl. You’ll want to spread it around as best as you can so that it covers as much of it as possible. Then add two cups of vinegar slowly and in a circular motion around the bowl. The fizzing should start as the two begin to mix. Leave it for about an hour before you flush, and if it doesn’t work, repeat the process but leave it overnight.
What More Can You Do to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger?
A plunger is a tool that no one needs until they need it. It’s always handy to have one around the house, but if you don’t and your toilet gets clogged, it’s not the end of the world. You can unclog it using a number of different types of household items to clear the obstruction and get it working again.
However, if none of these solutions work, then there your plumbing system might have other problems. That’s when you should get in touch with All Day Plumbing. We’re able to unclog any blockage from any type of pipe and have your toilet working again in no time. Contact us today if you’re experiencing problems with your plumbing and need the experts to unclog it.