4 Easy And Effective Ways To Unclog A Toilet
I’m sure we’ve all been in a “situation” at some point in our lives that involved someone else’s bathroom, a clogged toilet[2], and the crushing weight of our own panic and humiliation. And although we can’t go back and change the past, what we can do is learn how to calmly and discreetly unclog a clogged toilet and avoid such calamities in the future!
In today’s post, we’ll be exploring four simple and straightforward ways to unclog a toilet. Learning multiple methods may seem like overkill, but personally, I’d much rather have a few different methods to call on in an emergency situation, especially if I were in an unfamiliar setting.
So without any further ado, let’s talk toilets! 🙂
4 Easy Ways To Unclog A Toilet
1. The Hot Water “Plumber’s Trick”
I picked up this simple 3-step method to unclog a toilet from a plumber who visited our house years ago. It’s ideal for emergencies, since it calls on supplies that are ubiquitous in most bathrooms. (And you don’t even need a plunger to do it!)
Step 1 – Prevent An Overflow
If the water level is rising in the toilet, the absolute first thing you should do is remove the toilet tank lid and press the flapper down. The toilet flapper allows water to flow from the tank into the toilet bowl, and pressing it closed will immediately stop the water level from rising and potentially overflowing.
You can also shut off the water supply to the toilet as an added safety measure. Look for a handle behind the toilet and close to the floor, and turn it clockwise to shut off the water.
Step 2 – Add Hot Water
The next step is to add some hot water to the toilet bowl, which will help dissolve the clog and make it easier to flush.
Look for a bucket or wastebasket, empty it, and fill it with hot water from the tub or sink. Pour the water into the toilet bowl, wait a minute or two, then try either plunging the toilet or flushing the toilet again. (Turn the water back on if necessary, and keep your hand close to the flapper in case the attempt is unsuccessful!)