Did you know that one of the most common plumbing problems our residential plumbers face on a day-to-day basis is a clogged toilet? So if you’re a homeowner, the chances are that your residential toilet has been clogged at some point. But what if you dont have a plunger? Well, our knowledgeable and friendly plumbing experts at Five Star Dayton Plumbing have put together a list of everyday household items that are typically found under the sink, medicine cabinet, or even in your closet. But before we dive into that, first things first, make sure you turn off the main water line connected to the clogged toilet. Doing so will limit any extra water from accumulating in the toilet tank and bowl. So with that out of the way, let’s get to it!
The first method to unclog a toilet without a plunger is to use the dish soap method. First, you will want to get a pot of hot water. Next, while the pot of water is heating up, you’ll want to take a few squirts of dish soap and put it in the toilet bowl. Then once your water is hot enough, you will want to carefully dump all of the water into the toilet bowl and wait for about 20 minutes for the solution to make its way down the pipes, then flush. So what’s the science behind this method? Well, the dish soap combined with the boiling hot water can dissolve grease and break up fatty deposits that are clogging your toilet, thus leading to an unclogged toilet.
The second method to unclog a toilet without a plunger is to use hot water, baking soda, and vinegar. To do so, you’ll want to combine a gallon of hot water with a cup of baking soda and vinegar. As a side note, make sure the water is hot, not boiling. Dumping boiling water into your toilet bowl can crack the porcelain. The combination of vinegar and baking soda will create an effective chemical reaction, which is comparable to other kinds of harsh chemicals without the long-term effects, such as erosion.
Another common method that can be used can is found in your closet. First, you’ll want to locate a wire hanger and use a pair of pliers to straighten the wire as much as you can. If you can, our experts recommend using a plastic-coated wire hanger is best to use since metals can mar the surface of the toilet bowl. Once you do that, you’ll want to bend the wire at the end to make a little hook. This allows the wire to penetrate any small crevices where the clog might occur. After you have prepared your hanger, stick it down the toilet bowl and into the pipes. Once the hanger reaches the clog, give it a little spin to break up the deposits, and flush.
Finally, you can use a wet/dry vacuum as an absolute last resort. Our plumbing experts suggest utilizing a shop-vac since these can typically handle liquids without breaking. To get started, you will want to wrap an old t-shirt or towel around the vacuum hose to create a seal in the drain. Then stick the hose into the drain turn on the shop-vac to suck out the water left in the toilet bowl. With a bit of luck and a lot of persistence, the vacuum should suck up the obstruction, clearing it from your pipes.
Remember, it’s always better to call a professional before trying to DIY your way out of a clogged toilet without a plunger. Nevertheless, if any of these suggestions dont work, there could be an underlying issue taking place, which might mean the entire toilet needs to be taken off its base to see deeper into the piping. Keep in mind unclogging a toilet is a common issue that our plumbers see daily, and more often than not, it’s a quick and simple for an one of our experts to fix.
Do you need more help?
Call Five Star Dayton Plumbing today at (937) 230-6506, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
