As hard as one may try to keep their toilet running smoothly, clogs still happen at the most inconvenient times. Fortunately, one can keep tools and materials in their home to be ready for this problem at any time. Our team of 5-star Fort Collins plumbers at Lion Home Service would like to pass on this knowledge so that you’re better prepared when the unthinkable happens in your bathroom.
Harness Your Household Chemicals
One trick is to mix baking soda and vinegar to create a powerful drain cleaner without harsh chemicals. To do this, you may use:
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 2 cups of vinegar
- 1 gallon of boiling water (optional)
Pour the baking soda in first. Then, let the baking soda settle at the bottom of the toilet bowl before slowly pouring in the two cups of vinegar. The vinegar will meet the baking soda at the bottom of the toilet bowl to produce a fizz and bubble reaction. This reaction is vital, so slowly pour the vinegar into the bowl to prevent an overflow.
If your toilet bowl has no water, use the gallon of hot water before pouring in the baking soda. Once the two ingredients combine to create the fizzy reaction, allow the mixture to sit and work on the clog for a few hours. Once 2-3 hours have passed, check your toilet to see if the water has drained. If it hasn’t, let it sit overnight.
The Trusty Plunger
One thing to know is that not all plungers are created equal. There are flat plungers and flange plungers. Flat plungers are better at removing clogs from sink and shower drains. When it comes to professionally unclogging a toilet, we recommend a plunger that has a flange.
A flange plunger fits deep into the bottom of the toilet bowl and creates a better seal so that the plunger’s suction can be more effective against the clog. The best method for using a flange plunger is to seal the plunger’s cup against the toilet bowl and give the plunger a full push, then a full pull back, without breaking the seal, 5-6 times. When pulling back on the plunger on the last thrust, remove the plunger. If the clog isn’t gone, repeat the process until the water in the bowl drains.
Toilet Auger
A toilet auger may sound like some strange new household tool, but this is a more technical term for a device known as a plumbing snake. This auger is a plumbing snake specially designed for its namesake. Regular plumbing snakes have rigid parts made of metal that can scratch and maim the smooth porcelain surface of the bowl. A toilet auger is coated in rubber to prevent scratching of a toilet, so make sure to invest in a toilet auger specifically if you decide to go this route.
They are easy and quick to use, perfect for people who can’t comfortably use a plunger. To use a toilet auger, slide the head down into the drain. Then, turn the handle clockwise until you feel resistance. That’s when the toilet auger has reached the clog and is moving through it. If the water drains after this, you’ve removed the clog. If the water remains, repeat this process until it drains.
Drain Cleaners
We have placed drain cleaners at the bottom of this list due to their danger they present to both your health and your pipes. Drain cleaners are potent chemicals that can damage plumbing and cause chemical burns. If you decide to use a drain cleaner, protect yourself by always wearing gloves and safety goggles. Drain cleaners are easy to use since their instructions are labeled clearly on the bottle, so follow them precisely to avoid accidents.
We recommend that you wear gloves and safety glasses whenever you try to unclog a toilet. Since toilet water is notoriously filthy, it would be best to always exercise caution when handling it.
Contact Lion Home Service for Toilet Help Today!
If your toilet remains clogged after performing the steps mentioned earlier, or if you don’t want to do it yourself, you can always contact the drain cleaners here at Lion Home Service. We have the experience, training, and tools to handle any clog. So, what are you waiting for? Contact our toilet experts or give us a call at (970) 510-0522 for assistance today!
We offer professional drain cleaning and sewer cleaning in the following locations:
- Fort Collins drain cleaning
- Loveland drain cleaning
- Greeley drain cleaning
- Longmont drain cleaning
- Windsor drain cleaning
- And the surrounding areas!
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