The Most Effective Method To Keep A Clogged Toilet From Becoming A Disaster
Scarcely any things are as at the same time startling and awkward as an obstructed can. In addition to the fact that it renders the bathroom pointless, yet it must be taken care of promptly or things can escape hand in all respects rapidly. Without fixing the issue quickly, you can chance water harm from flood, human waste tainting, foul smells, or even shame. This issue is no snickering issue and should be taken care of at the earliest opportunity. Here is the manner by which to shield a stopped up a can from turning into a debacle.
- Shield the water from flooding
Here and there when a loo gets stopped up, you don’t have any acquaintance with it until the water in the bowl keeps on rising and rise and rise. This can be an exceptionally alarming minute, as nobody needs to have water spilling out of the bowl. On the off chance that this is an issue, or on the off chance that you sense the water won’t quit rising-make a point to kill the central pipe which normally close-by on the divider. This will stop the progression of water into the tank which keeps the water level from ascending in the bowl.
- Have a go at utilizing a plunger
Get some elastic gloves and perhaps a cover and tenderly sink a knob plunger down into the base of the bowl. The best plungers have an expansion spine and a decreased focus. In a perfect world, you will have a plunger that is measured splendidly for your particular latrine. With the best possible apparatus, you will almost certainly get more noteworthy suction legitimately into the funneling to oust the obstruct. A full non depleting obstruct will totally hinder the channels and will make the water rise. It might be important to stop the water (as referenced above) or hold up a couple of minutes before starting to dive. When you begin, utilize moderate and delicate pushes to limit sprinkle. Have towels convenient for speedy cleanup. Dive forward and backward around 10-30 times relying upon the stop up and check whether the water starts to deplete without anyone else.
- Twofold check the tank
On the off chance that you expected to stop the primary water supply toward the start to shield the water from flooding, it might be important to play Judas on for the bowl to legitimately deplete and refill. Be that as it may, even without the water on, you should see the water level improve because of diving. In many occurrences, it will totally deplete or incompletely channel directly before your eyes. After the obstruct has been taken care of, betray and guarantee the floater or bobber is changed in accordance with the correct dimension. This decides how much water the tank should be full and may help with future flushings.
The Easiest Way to Unclog a Toilet
Occasionally, disaster strikes and there isn’t a plunger in the bathroom. Don’t despair. Here’s how to unclog a toilet without a plunger, even if you only have the typical resources a bathroom holds.
- Quickly take off the lid of the tank, and close the flapper. The flapper is the rubber piece that is lifted up when you push on the handle to flush. You’ll need to stick your arm in the tank to push the flapper down. Don’t worry, though. Tank water is very clean.
- Add some hot water to the clogged toilet. This can often break apart what’s doing the clogging (unless a cute child threw something like a toy in the toilet earlier that day). You’ll need something to transport the hot water from the sink or tub into the toilet. A toothbrush holder or anything like a cup or bowl will do the trick. If things get dire, you could resort to dumping out the contents of the trash bin and using it as a water carrier. Leave the water to sit for a couple of minutes. Everything might naturally flush down at this point.
- You tried the step above, but nothing – or not enough – has happened. Now try adding a few drops of soap to the toilet. Dishwasher soap would be the first choice, followed by hand soap, and shampoo can be your last resort. Again, wait a few minutes for the soap to do its magic. Then, try flushing again.
How To Use a Plunger
First, plunge the toilet with the rubber flange pulled out to get a better seal. Push in and out vigorously, keeping enough water in the bowl to cover the plunger. Have towels handy to wipe up any water that splashes out.
Plunging Tips
A toilet plunger fits over and seals the toilet drain. Wear rubber gloves — things can get messy— and follow these plunging tips:
- Make your first plunge a gentle one. Initially the bell is full of air. A hard thrust will force the air back around the seal and blow water all over the bathroom and you!
- Once you force out the air, plunge vigorously in and out, maintaining the seal. You’ll be forcing water both directions in the drain, which will effectively loosen most clogs. Stick with it, plunging 15 to 20 times if necessary.
- Be patient. Try alternating between steady strokes and occasional monster heaves.
- Keep enough water in the bowl so the toilet plunger stays covered. Trying to force air through the toilet trap won’t generate much pressure.
Most of the time, plunging is all it takes to clear the clog. But for tougher clogs, try using a toilet snake.
What Not to Do When Your Toilet is Clogged
Don’t: Panic!
We get it – if that toilet is about to overflow with…yeah, we’ll leave it at that; you don’t want to be anywhere nearby. But, there are a few quick things you can do immediately to prevent a mess if you can manage to keep a clear head.
Do instead: remove the lid from the toilet’s tank and carefully set it aside. At the bottom of the tank is a rubber piece called the “flapper valve” which regulates the flow of water into the toilet bowl. Reach down and press that valve closed to prevent any more water from flowing into the toilet bowl and avoid the potential disaster an overflow will cause.
You may also need to stop the tank from filling up by lifting the float that operates the tank fill valve.
The water level in the toilet bowl should begin to drain slowly with no new water flowing in. Wait about a minute, and if the water level has gone down enough, you should be in the clear to let go of the float and the flapper without worrying about the toilet overflowing.
If the water in the toilet bowl doesn’t drop after about a minute, you’ll need to shut off the water at the toilet supply valve. This valve is a metal handle located behind the toilet. Turn clockwise (right) to close.
Don’t: Use Other Drains Nearby
Until you’ve verified that the problem is with just that toilet, avoid using other drains in the bathroom. If you notice those drains slowing or backing up, the blockage may be somewhere in the line, or may even indicate a failure in your septic system.
Do instead: Use a plunger to unblock the drain. It may be all that’s needed. After a few moments, check to see if the toilet drain clears. If a plunger isn’t working, your next step is likely a snake.
Once you’re confident that the clog is removed from the immediate vicinity, carefully test your other drains one at a time to make sure they are all functioning correctly.
Don’t: Use a Harsh Chemical like Drano to Unclog Your Toilet
Drano, and other similar chemical pipe cleaners, use caustic, oxidizing chemicals to dissolve drain clogs. The reaction that occurs when the chemicals hit the clog creates heat.
Since the dissolving process takes time (sometimes a few hours), the reaction sits in there producing more and more heat which can cause extensive damage to the pipes and even to the toilet itself by cracking the porcelain.
Do instead: Use Dawn dish soap. Pour ¼ cup of Dawn soap into the toilet bowl and allow a couple of hours for it to work on the clog before attempting to use a plunger again. The dish soap will work to break down the clog naturally without harmful chemical fumes or reactions.
Follow the dish soap with hot water, pouring it slowly into the toilet bowl. The water should finish what the dish soap started, breaking up the clog completely and rinsing it down the drain.
How to Unclog a Toilet With a Snake or an Auger
If you have a snake or an auger, you can also use these tools instead of a plunger. The benefit of an auger or a snake is that they directly remove the clog and can get far deeper into the toilet. All you have to do is stick it in the toilet and gently move it until you feel the clog break up.
You can even use this technique as a DIY tool. In many cases, a straightened wire hanger can work well to handle clogs. Just be careful using it because you can scratch the coating on your toilet bowl if you use too much force.