It’s something you use every single day. You have one at home, you use one at work; you have access to one pretty much wherever and whenever. When they’re working, they provide us relief, but when they aren’t…? Cue stress.
That’s right – we’re talking about our favourite thing in the bathroom – our toilets.
It’s on of the most used pieces of “furniture” in your house – your porcelain throne. Sure, you may know how to keep it sparkling clean, but can you handle your own when whatever you’ve left behind refuses to flush?
Probably not.
Luckily for you, we’ve put together this how-to/101/DIY-guide telling you exactly what to do if your toilet clogs.
Unclogging Your Toilet
More times than not, you can fix a clogged toilet all on your own. If your toilet is clogged, try these home-remedy methods first, before calling a professional for help.
- Grab that Plunger
It’s not fun – but it works.
A plunger acts, essentially, like a vacuum for your pipes, by suctioning out whatever it is that is clogging the pipe and preventing the water and waste from flushing properly.
Depending on how clogged the pipe is, it may take multiple attempts to loosen and clear the blockage – don’t give up after only 1 or 2 plunges.
Pro-tip: run the plunger under hot water before using to soften it – this will allow you to create a better seal between the plunger and the hole in the toilet, increasing your chances of successfully dislodging the clog-culprit.
- Use a Waste Removal Product
There are a number of products available on the market that contain enzymes meant to liquefy organic waste materials.
These products are most often found at your local home improvement store and are incredibly easy to use – simply pour the recommended amount of product into your toilet bowl and wait.
While this method is not instant – it can take a few hours and is usually recommended to leave overnight – it is highly effective. But remember: this only works on clogs that are caused by organic waste – enzyme product removal won’t help with that toy car your child accidentally flushed.
- Make Your Own Drain Cleaner
It may be hard to believe, but a simple mixture of baking soda and vinegar – two things that every household has – can work magic when it comes to clogged pipes.
Simply pour one cup of baking soda into your toilet bowl, followed by one cup of vinegar, and watch whatever is clogging your pipe fizz away right in front of your eyes.
- Get Professional Help
If you have tried all of the methods listed above and your toilet is still clogged, you may need to contact someone to clean the entire drain.
In the end, a clogged toilet may be a relatively simple problem or could be an indication of something much more serious.
Often times – and especially the case in older neighbourhoods, farms or acreages, you may require more serious service such as Augering, root cutting, flushing/steaming, backhoe services, or actual sewer line repairs.
Considering the potential ‘cost’ (financial & emotional), weigh your options carefully – and good luck!
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