One of the most undesirable plumbing issues any homeowner could face is a clogged toilet. Having a clogged toilet in your home means that the room (whether separate or in the bathroom) will be out of bounds when you or someone else needs to answer the call of nature, and we all know that when nature calls, you have no choice but to pick up! It, therefore, goes without saying that clogged toilets are a plumbing emergency that require immediate attention.
Knowing how to use basic plumbing tools like a plunger is an effective way to prevent serious blockages in your toilet drains. With the following tips, you can easily and correctly unclog most toilet clogs by yourself.
Turn off water supply
First things first, cut off water supply to the toilet tank to prevent the toilet bowl from brimming. Take off the toilet tank lid and shut off the valve (flapper) that allows water to flow from the tank into the bowl.
Remove excess wastewater
You don't want wastewater spurting on you when you are unclogging your toilet, so it is important that you remove any excess wastewater from your toilet before you start plunging. Use a bucket to remove water but not all of it (up to the halfway level). The water that remains in the bowl should be enough for the rubber cup of your plunger to submerge. If there's not enough water remaining in the bowl, the cup won't form a good seal on the bowl, and thus won't plunge correctly. You will need to fetch water from another source and pour it into the bowl.
Soften up your plunger
Soft, pliant plungers are generally more effective at unclogging toilets than stiff, hard plungers. Run some hot water over the cup of your plunger so you can soften up the rubber. This will help you create a tighter seal on the bowl when you are plunging.
Plunge the right way
Hold the plunger straight on the bowl when you are plunging so that you can maintain an airtight seal. If you slant the plunger, air will leak inside and compromise the ability of your plunger to unclog the clog. Do not merely focus on the downward plunging push, as the pullback is equally as essential. Give your toilet a couple of good pushes and pulls using the plunger before flushing the toilet. If the water drains as usual, then you have succeeded in unclogging your toilet. If the water level in the bowl starts rising up again, close the flapper to cut off water supply into the bowl and repeat the plunging and flushing process. Do this until the water starts draining normally.
If you are unable to unclog your toilet drain with these tips, you should call in a professional plumber to fix the problem.
