How to Unblock a Badly Blocked Toilet: Tips and Techniques

A clogged and blocked toilet can ruin anyone's day. It is after all a place where we go to relieve ourselves. Therefore, any blockages and clogging in this room of our house can hamper our daily life. Furthermore, if you do not have alternatives, a clogged toilet can hamper you from relieving yourself as well. Therefore, it is extremely important to know how to unclog a toilet. The question here is, how to unblock a badly blocked toilet? 

In this blog, we discuss various ways you can unblock a badly blocked toilet. So, with this in mind, let's get started. 

Identify The Type of Blockage

Before you start unblocking your toilet, you first need to know the type of blockage. Now, there can be several types of blockages. 

The first type of blockage is when the water is draining, but extremely slowly. This type of blockage is caused by a partial obstruction of the drainage. 

Another type of toilet blockage is when there are low levels of water after flushing. This type of blockage is caused when there is an issue of air circulation in the waste pipe. 

The final type of blockage is when the water level keeps on rising and does not drain away. This is one of the most serious types of blockage. Therefore, should this happen, you should take immediate action. You can do this by either unblocking the toilet yourself or contacting an expert like a2zMarmat. We are one of the best providers of toilet unblocking services in Nepal. 

That said, if you want to unblock your toilet yourself, there are a few things you can do. 

How to Unblock a Toilet with a Plunger

One of the first things that comes into mind when we think about toilet unblocking is using a plunger. The procedure to unblock a toilet using a plunger is as follows:

1. Prepare The Area

You start the process of unblocking the toilet with a plunger by preparing the area. Place the newspapers around the floor for overspills and drips. Keep a water bucket on standby and prepare the rubber gloves and clothes. 

2. Prevent Overflows

After preparing the area, the next step is to turn the shutoff valve. This valve is typically located in the pipe coming off the wall behind the toilet. Rotate it in the clockwise direction. If it is not budging, use a little penetrating oil. This helps in preventing the backflow of water. 

3. Use The Right Plunger

Once you have taken the necessary methods to prevent backflow, use the right plunger and start plunging the toilet. Do note that the plunger with the rubber flange that can fold back up is ideal for unblocking the toilets. This type of plunger is known as the flange plunger. 

To make this process even more effective, you can soften the plunger by soaking it in hot water for a few minutes. 

Note: While you can use a regular plunger for this, they are not ideal and therefore won't give the best results. After using the plunger for a few minutes, the water level should go down. Repeat the process a few times until the toilet is unblocked. 

4. Clean The Tools

Once the toilet is unblocked, you should clean the tools thoroughly. For this, you can clean the tools using a mix of bleach and water. 

How to Unblock Your Toilet with a Drain Auger

Besides using the plunger, you can also use a drain auger to unblock a blocked toilet. A drain auger, also known as a closet auger, toilet auger, and plumber snake, is a long flexible cable. This cable has a handle at one end. Furthermore, another end of this cable has a corkscrew-shaped tip. It also has a rubber covering, designed to protect the toilet bowl from scratches. You can follow the process below to unblock the toilet using the drain auger.

1. Insert The Cable

Insert the cable into the toilet to start the process of unblocking the toilet. You should place the curved part of the toilet into the curved part of the toilet bowl. When placing the curved part, push the cable until the cable is completely submerged. 

2. Rotate The Handle Until it is Clear

After inserting the cable, hold the handle and start rotating it until the blockage is clear.

3. Get The Cable Out

You should get the cable out by rotating it in the opposite direction if the cable cannot go any deeper. 

4. Test and Repeat

Flush the toilet to check if the toilet is unblocked or not. If the toilet is still blocked, you can repeat this process until the blockage is cleared. 

Other DIY Methods to Unblock Your Toilet

Besides using a plunger and drain auger, there are other methods of unblocking the toilet. Some of the other popular methods for unblocking a toilet are as follows:

Unblock a Toilet Using Soda and Vinegar

This is one of the simplest methods to unblock your toilet without a plunger. If your toilet is blocked but the water level is not too high you can follow the process below.

• Pour one cup of baking soda.
• Pour one / two cups of white vinegar into the toilet.
• Let the mixture sit for ten to fifteen minutes.
• Give the mixture time to take effect.
• Flush the toilet.

This method works best to cause bathroom blockages caused by too many waste products. However, we do not recommend using this method for septic tanks or cesspits. 

Unblock a Toilet Using Washing Washing-up Liquid

This form of unblocking a toilet is highly effective if there is partial blockage, and it is caused by organic matter. The organic matter can include a wide range of materials such as grease, soap, and soap scum. You can follow the process below to use this method.

• Squirt a good amount of washing liquid into the toilet bowl
• Pour around a bucket of hot water (not boiling)
• Allow mixture to sit for ten to fifteen minutes
• Use the plunger and flush the toilet

While this method does require you to use a plunger, you can use it without a plunger for minor blockages. 

Conclusion 

A blocked toilet is one of those things that can easily ruin your day. It stops you from going to the washroom and it creates a foul atmosphere. Therefore, knowing how to unblock a badly blocked toilet is a handy skill to have. There are many methods for this. One of the most popular ones is to use a plunger. Another popular method of unblocking a blocked toilet is to use a drain auger. Besides these two methods, you can also unclog a clogged toilet by using baking soda and vinegar. Along with this, you can also use washing-up liquid to aid you as well. 

In this blog, we discussed some of the ways you can unblock a blocked toilet. We hope you found this helpful. If you want further insights into various aspects of home maintenance, do check out some of our other blogs. And, if you want expert toilet unblocking service in Kathmandu, Nepal, do visit us at a2zMarmat. Thank you for reading till the end. 

FAQs on How to Unblock a Toilet

How do you unblock a heavily blocked toilet?

You can unblock a heavily blocked toilet using a plunger or using white vinegar along with baking soda. For the former, you should plunge the toilet until the blockage clears out. For the latter, you can wait until the mixture foams, and let the mix sit for ten to fifteen minutes before flushing. Alternatively, you can also use drain cleaners, and wire coat hangers in a similar way. 

What are the tips to unblock a badly blocked toilet?

Some of the tips to unblock a badly blocked toilet are as follows: 

• Use Protective Gears 
• Stop Flushing
• Use a Plunger
• Try Toilet Auger
• Use Chemical Drain Cleaner
• Call a Professional Plumber

What is the strongest thing to unclog a toilet?

The strongest thing to unclog a toilet is caustic soda. However, since this soda can cause burns when exposed, you should be very careful while using it. 

What do plumbers use to unclog toilets?

The device used by plumbers to clean and unclog the toilets is known as the drain snake. The alternative names for this device include drain auger, toilet auger, and plumbing auger. 

How long do you wait for a toilet to unclog?

The specific time required for toilet unblocking varies depending on the type of blockage and the methods used. However, in general it can be fixed within an hour. That said, severe unblocking can require several hours of work. 

How do you unblock a toilet naturally?

There are several methods to unblock a toilet naturally. Some of the methods include the following:

• Using a Plunger
• Using Hot water
• Using Dish Soap
• Using a Wire Hanger