How To Plunge A Toilet
It’s never fun when we have to plunge a toilet. The clog usually happens at a rapid pace and you’re left panicking about what to do next before the entire toilet bowl filled with water ends up on the bathroom floor.
Let’s go over how to correctly plunge a toilet and other related topics that are helpful when this situation comes up.
The good thing about a toilet clogging is that a plunger is always right there next to you to save the day (or at least try to). Dealing with a clogged toilet is never fun, but it is important that you handle it properly. This is because it can also be a health hazard.
How to Plunge a Toilet
The first thing to know is that there are actually different plungers that have uses for different things. There is a plunger that is made specifically for clogs in sinks or bathtubs. There is a plunger made specifically for toilets. That is called a flange plunger.
The difference between the two is that it has a sleeve-like extension on the bottom of the cup. This helps integrate the plunger further into the toilet to help really flush out the clog. The plunger that is made for sinks and bathtubs does not have this feature on the bottom of it. It is just a round cup piece on the bottom of the handle.
Steps to Plunge a Toilet:
Step 1:
It is important to wear gloves while doing this. Prepare for water overflow by having toilets or rags on the ground to soak up the water around the toilet.
Step 2:
Start by putting the plunger into the toilet and put the cup of the plunger around the toilet hole.
Step 3:
Grip the plunger handle with both hands. Move the plunger up and down for around 10 to 20 seconds. Make sure that the cup of the plunger is not breaking the seal around the hole while doing this.
Step 4:
After doing that, you should be able to flush the toilet. If you find that your toilet is still has a clog after this, you might have to repeat the process once or twice.
Step 5:
If your toilet still has a clog after trying the plunger, it would be ideal to look into a toilet auger.
How to Plunge a Toilet Without a Plunger
Interestingly enough, there are ways to clear a clog in your toilet without a plunger. If you don’t have a plunger handy, or would rather use a different method, consider these:
Dish Soap & Hot Water
Dish soap and hot water can be great for clearing toilet clogs. This is because dish soap helps dissolve and break up whatever is clogged in the toilet. Dish soap can do the same thing for your toilet that it does for stubborn food particles on your dishes. It’s a great solution if you are in need.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
The chemical reaction that forms with vinegar and baking soda is what clears your toilet from any clogs.
Toilet Auger
This is typically how a plumber will unclog your toilet for you. Toilet augers, also known as snakes, are used for any drain cleaning process that requires removing a stubborn clog. A plumber will resort to hydro jetting if the clog is too big or too far into the pipe.
All three of these ways have benefits as to how they can unclog your toilet. It is worth giving them a shot if the plunger is out of the question. Watch this video showing you the steps on how to use dish soap and hot water to clear your toilet from a clog.
Will a Toilet Eventually Unclog Itself?
A clogged toilet will typically unclog itself over time. Most things that go down the toilet are water soluble and will dissolve as more time passes. Once the clog has been given enough time, the pressure from flushing the toilet should be enough to flush down the clog and resolve the problem.
Sometimes, other things like kids toys and other hard materials are put down the toilet. In this case, this would need more than just time in order to get those out of there.
Does Flushing a Clogged Toilet Make it Worse?
The general answer is yes. If you flush the toilet a second time when the toilet is already clogged, this will cause more water to rush into the toilet bowl and cause your toilet to overflow.
This is only creating a bigger mess for you to clean up. We don’t want to make this situation any worse than it already is. Avoid flushing the toilet after you have noticed it has become clogged.
Final Thoughts
Plunging your toilet correctly is important because it will determine whether or not the clog is able to clear out or not. Resorting to other ways isn’t always a bad idea, but plunging your toilet will take the least amount of time to get it done.
If you don’t have access to a plunger or a plunger isn’t the best option for you, then it would be best to resort to another method to remove that clog. Whatever you do, don’t repeatedly flush a toilet that you know is clogged because that will only make it worse.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you’d like help with your toilet, sink, or drain clog issues. We will immediately handle any emergency plumbing, drain, and water damage problem, including excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines.
