How to Unclog a Toilet with a Plunger
How to Unclog a Toilet with a Plunger
The most common plumbing problem that arises in households is the dreaded clogged toilet. Tuically caused by too much waste and too much toilet paper this is a relatively simple problem to solve. We wanted to give you a solid overview on this topic for a few reasons – first its a common problem that you will experience, and two if you clog a toliet it can be a very embarrassing situation that is unless you can resolve the problem yourself.
Before we get into the nitty gritty – unclogging a toilet with a plunger usually creates enough suction to free the clog. Knowing how to use a plunger to unclog a toilet can save you from the mess of using a plumber’s snake or the expense of having to call a plumber. While mos of us know how to use a plunger there are a few additional tips that we want to cover in this post.
1. First the basics of how to determine if the toilet is clogged. Water that doesn’t swirl; a flush that only trickles into the drain; and water that backs up instead of flushing out are signs of clogged toilets. You may not want to, but you can fix it.
2. After determining if the toilet is clogged the first and most important step is to turn off the water at the valve, usually under the toilet tank. Do this before using the plunger as it will stop the toilet from overflowing which is the worst thing that can happen.
3. Cover the drain hole with the plunger, making sure there’s water coming up at least halfway up the rubber cup on the plunger. If there’s not enough water in the bowl, pour some in. Be sure to stand the plunger upright over the drain. Following both of these tips ensures a tight seal.
4. Push the plunger up and down without breaking the seal. Push the plunger down until it touches the drain and then pull up sharply, but not enough to break the suction. Repeat this a couple of times.
5. Repeat Step 4, but this time, pull up sharply, releasing the suction.
Hopefully, when you release the suction on the drain the clog should be dislodged releasing the water. If there’s no change, repeat Steps 4 and 5 until the water begins to drain.
If you’ve tried these steps a couple of times with no progress, it’s time to pull out the plumber’s snake or give us a call!
