Top Tips to Unclog A Toilet When Nothing Works
A clogged toilet can be a real nuisance, especially if you’ve tried the “normal” methods to unclog it and have found that they don’t work. Persistent clogs can often be a sign of a significant blockage in your main sewer line or a stubborn clog in the drain line beneath the toilet.
Unclogging a toilet may require calling in a professional plumber, but first, you can try the below methods for clearing the blockage.
Try Using Hair Conditioner
Most of the time, you can turn to a product that you’ll often find within arm’s reach to clear the clog: hair conditioner. Conditioner will help lubricate the pipes and may aid the blockage in moving along. Luckily, the drain pipe below your toilet eventually opens up into the larger sewer line, so you only have to get the blockage to move down to that point.
Try Vinegar and Baking Soda
One of the most natural methods for getting your toilet unclogged is to use vinegar and baking soda. Mix these in a 1:2 ratio of baking soda to vinegar, and pour the mixture into your bowl. After about a half-hour, try flushing the toilet.
When combined, vinegar and baking soda react to foam up. The expanding foam can scrub the pipes clean and may help dissolve whatever is blocking the line. Vinegar can also help clear away calcium build-up in your pipes if you have hard water.
Try Using a Plastic Bottle
If you don’t have a plunger, you can make a temporary one out of a standard 12-ounce soda or water bottle. Cut the bottom off, and leave the cap on. Insert the bottom of the bottle into the drain and move it up and down quickly. The pressure created will act as a plunger and can force the blockage further into the pipe.
Try Using the Toilet Brush
If you don’t have access to a plunger but have a toilet brush handy, you can use it to force the clog into the sewer main. Insert the bristle side of the brush into the hole at the bottom of the bowl, and move it in and out several times. This might create enough pressure to clear even stubborn clogs.
Try Using Soda
Soda, like Coca-Cola or Pepsi, is naturally acidic. It can eat away at clogged material in the drainpipe and help clear it enough to pass. Pour two cups of soda into your bowl and wait a few hours. If you see the water level going down, try flushing to see if the clog is cleared.
Wrapping Up: Clearing a Stubborn Toilet Clog
If your toilet is clogged and your plunger doesn’t seem to be clearing it, or you don’t have a plunger, the above methods can help solve the problem.
For more persistent or total blockages, you should consider calling in a plumber to use professional equipment. A severe clog can mean serious trouble deep in your drain lines, so always defer to a pro if the above methods don’t work.
