This post will show you six methods to unblock your toilet.
These are:
- The Manual Unblocking
- The Plunger Unblocking
- Chemical Unblocking
- Alternative Chemical Unblocking
- The Expert Unblocking
- Unblocking the New Toilet
These are the exact steps a plumber would take to unblock your toilet.
Let's get started:
Unblocking a Toilet
It's not an easy task to unblock a toilet. You'll likely have to do some dirty work. To protect your bathroom and yourself, I encourage you to follow the steps below.
- Don't be afraid to get dirty in your old clothes.
- You can find long rubber gloves. Two good plastic bags will suffice if you don't have any gloves.
- To protect the floor, place old newspaper or plastic wrap on top. This will absorb any water that has spewed.
- Protect your eyes with protective glasses. Wear sunglasses if you are unable to find protective glasses.
Unblocking Manually
This is the best method to try if you know what is causing the blockage. You will need to do some digging, so wear all your PPE. Here are the essentials:
- Long rubber gloves
- A wire coat hanger (optional)
- A decent bin bag
- A bucket of hot water, but not boiling!
Step 1: Get Stuck in
Place your hand on the toilet bowl. Before you feel around, make sure that your head is away from the toilet. Once you are in position, you can begin to feel around the basin for any blockages. You can try to unblock the blockage if you are able. If it's challenging to unblock the blockage or suspect it is deeper down the plumbing, you can use the coat hanger.
Step 2: Prepare and Use the Coat Hanger
The coat hanger wire should be broken into one length of straight wire. Once the wire is set up, place the wire in the toilet. You should feel the blockage by pushing the wire around the bend. Although it may take some time for you to feel the blockage, once you do, you can pull the wire around the bend and push the blockage to clear it. It may take some time to feel the blockage, and you will need to keep pushing and pulling until it is gone.
Attention: Do not place the wire into the toilet without being careful. You could end up scratching your toilet with a sharp end.
Step 3: Dispose of Blockage
Once you have cleared the blockage, you can empty the waste from the toilet into a bag. It is unlikely to get blocked again if you flush it again.
Step 4: Warm up with hot water
Once the blockage has been removed, it is time to clean the entire pipe. Once the toilet flushes, fill the bucket with hot water to the waist height. The extra pressure will clear any water blockages, and the hot water will break down larger particles.
Not to boil water, as it could crack your toilet.
The Plunger Unblocking
The plunger is the most popular method to unblock a toilet. If you are like 90% of Brits, you don't likely have a plunger at home. Wait, there's more. These methods can be used as a plunger alternative before rushing to the hardware store.
- Wrap a mop in a plastic bag
- Wrap a plastic bag around your toilet brush
You only need water to make the bowl and a suction tool work. So, before you run off to the shops, try these options. Also, you will need:
- Long rubber gloves
- A decent bin bag
- A bucket of hot water, but not boiling!
Step 1 - Create the Vacuum
The plunger should be lowered into the pipe. Once the plunger is in place, push it down slowly to create a vacuum. Once you feel some tension on the plunger's handle, pull the handle quickly up to loosen the blockage. This may be necessary until you clear the blockage.
Step 2: Dispose of Blockage
Once the blockage has been removed, you can empty the waste from the toilet into a bin bag. Don't just flush it. It will get blocked again.
Step 3: Flush with hot Water
Now that the blockage has been removed, it is time to clean the entire pipe. Take the bucket and bring it to your waist. Then flush the toilet with hot water. The hot water will break down larger particles, and the extra pressure of the water will clear any blockages.
The Chemical Method
The chemical method may be the best option for you if you have tried the manual and plunger methods or don't want to get your hands dirty. This method should be used only for organic waste (urine and pee), not toilet paper. To produce toxic gases, chemicals can react with metals and plastics. You will need the following:
- Long rubber gloves
- A decent bin bag
- A bucket of hot water, but not boiling!
- Drain cleaner (store-bought, homemade)
Use only a toilet-friendly drain cleaner. The chemicals in drain cleaners can cause damage to your toilet components and pipes.
Step 1: Purchase or Make Your Drain Clearer
To make your drain cleaner, add 100g baking soda, 250ml white vinegar, and 500ml hot water to the toilet. To stop fumes from entering the bathroom, close the lid on the toilet.
Before using the store-bought drain cleaner, make sure you read the instructions. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and pour the cleaner into your toilet. Close the lid.
Step 2: Follow the manufacturer's instructions
If you use the homemade method, wait for vinegar and baking soda to react.
If you are using a store-bought drain cleaner, leave it to work for the prescribed time.
Step 3: Flush the Toilet
After the time limit has expired, it is time to clear the pipe completely. Once the toilet flushes, fill the bucket with hot water to the height of your waist. The extra pressure will clear any water blockages, and the hot water will break down larger particles.
An Alternative Chemical Method
You can use any ordinary detergent as a chemical alternative if you don't have vinegar or baking soda.
This method is not always the best, but it can provide a good alternative if necessary. This is what you will need:
- Long rubber gloves
- Get rid of liquids
- A bucket of hot water, but not boiling!
Step 1: Pour the washing-up liquid
Place 250ml of the washing-up liquid in the toilet bowl. Spread the liquid evenly over the water's surface.
Step 2: Leave for 30 minutes
The solution should be left to dissolve the blockage for between 30 and one hour. It will take longer to dissolve the blockage if you leave it for too long.
Step 3: Flush the Toilet
After the time limit has expired, you can start to clean the pipe. Once the toilet flushes, fill the bucket with hot water to the height of your waist. The hot water will break down larger particles, and the extra pressure of the water will clear any blockages.
The Expert method
If none of the above methods works, it is time to call a plumber.
A typical blockage will cost between PS50 and PS100. However, it all depends on the type of blockage and the location of the blockage.
We conducted a survey and found that the following prices were used to unblock a toilet in each part of the UK.
The New Toilet Method
Specific unique toilets are different from the standard toilet in two fundamental ways. It macerates (breaks down) the waste in the toilet with a blade. It uses centrifugal pumps to flush out the waste from the toilet and into the general waste system, rather than draining it through the floor.
These systems are available in many sizes, shapes, and capacities. One system can service one toilet while another will provide service for a whole bathroom. Another will be able to service an entire office.
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