Proven methods on how to unclog a toilet bowl yourself at home

A clogged toilet is a common and unpleasant problem that needs to be fixed quickly. You can clear the blockage in the toilet using mechanical and chemical methods of exposure.

In complex, not amenable to self-correction, cases, you will need the help of a plumber.

In this article, we'll show you how to quickly unclog a toilet bowl at home.

Causes of the problem

A clogged toilet must be emptied immediately. The following circumstances often become the cause of the problem:

• ingress of foreign objects into the drain that interfere with permeability (rags, personal hygiene items, etc.);
• defects of the toilet itself;
• violations in the sewage system;
• improper installation of the structure;
• deposits on the inside of the pipes.

Before you start cleaning, you need to determine if the problem is local, affecting only the toilet, or the entire drainage system is clogged. To do this, they open the taps in the bathroom and in the sinks and watch how quickly the water is drained.

If the water runs out quickly, then the problem is only related to the toilet, and you can solve it yourself. Otherwise, professional help will be needed. Violation of the rules for using plumbing is the main reason for the formation of blockages.

How to eliminate by mechanical means?

When choosing a cleaning method, it must be borne in mind that the effectiveness of removing blockage from the drain depends on the following factors:

1. Why is the toilet clogged?
2. Old age of the problem.

If the cork is the result of a foreign object, then you must first remove the water from the bottom of the toilet. For this purpose, you can use rags and sponges.

Ventuz

The plunger is one of the simplest and therefore popular means of removing blockages in pipes. There are a lot of varieties and modifications of this tool..

Usual

If the blockage is not complete, and the water gradually leaves, it just happens slowly, even the most ordinary plunger of the usual shape will help solve the problem.

When buying, you must consider the model of the toilet, since not all types of plungers may be suitable. The technology of work is to make translational movements, pressing on the handle and sharply lifting it up.

Simplest the plunger is recommended to be used only in non-started cases, since with a strong blockage, it will not be effective.

Pneumatic

It is much more convenient and effective to use a pneumatic plunger for problems with the toilet. Outwardly, it looks like a hand pump. Such a device is not only very effective, but also versatile - it fits almost any toilet model.

Advantages of pneumatic vents:

• compactness;
• ergonomic shape;
• a set of nozzles included;
• ease of use;
• versatility.

Aeration

Aeration models are designed to regulate air in the system. This prevents debris from getting stuck in the toilet and drain pipes.

Ropes

For complex blockages, it is more effective than a plunger to use a special metal (less often - plastic) cable designed for cleaning. It has a fairly simple device and does not require special skills to use. There is a special tip at the end of the device.

Procedure:

1. Free up space around the toilet.
2. Wear personal protective equipment.
3. Prepare a bag for placing the recoverable waste in it.
4. Insert the cable from the handpiece into the toilet.
5. Rotate the cable with the handle so as to break through the blockage.
6. Remove the cable. There may be debris at the end that needs to be removed and placed in a bag.
7. Wash off remaining dirt with a stream of water.

After use, the cable should be cleaned and dried. It is better to store it rolled up.

Plastic bottle

In cases where there is no cable or plunger available, you can use an ordinary plastic bottle of mineral water with a volume of 1.5, 2 or 2.5 liters.

Application procedure:

• the bottom is cut off from the empty bottle with a knife, while the lid is not screwed;
• lower the bottle with the cut part down;
• turn the bottle without removing it so that a vacuum is formed;
• with a sharp movement, press the upper edge of the bottle so as to push the clog further, pushing it into the riser;
• remove the bottle;
• if necessary, repeat the treatment.

You can watch the process of removing the blockage without a plunger in the video:

How to remove folk remedies?

If there are no special household chemicals at hand, you can try to clear the blockage with home remedies.

Soda

You can use a soda solution to remove the blockage caused by pouring fatty foods down the toilet. For this ½ pack of soda is diluted in 2-3 liters of water and poured into the toilet.

After 3 hours, the blockage should be removed, as the soda will act on the fatty deposits. For serious blockages and those for which the cause is unknown, this method will not work due to its weak efficiency.

Soda and vinegar

To clean, follow these steps:

1. Put ½ pack of soda into the toilet.
2. Pour in a bottle of vinegar.
3. Close the drain hole.
4. Leave to act for 2 hours.
5. Pour in hot water.
6. Wait an hour.

The method is quite effective if the cause of the blockage is organic matter or layering in the pipes.

Soda and salt

Procedure:

• pour 1 glass of soda into the container;
• add 1 glass of salt;
• mix;
• fall asleep in the toilet;
• after 5 minutes, pour in 1 glass of boiling water in a thin stream;
• leave for several hours to act.

It is recommended to use this method at night.

How to quickly remove with special chemistry?

You can find a wide variety of pipe cleaning and sewer cleaning products in stores. The drugs are available in various forms, differ in price, exposure time and composition.

Sanox gel Clean runoff

The product is intended for pipes - eliminates odors and blockages. The composition contains surfactants. Suitable for use in the organization of sewage with plastic and cast iron pipes.

Advantages of the tool:

• low cost;
• ease of use;
• efficiency;
• price;
• suitable as a means of prevention.

Minuses:

• it takes time to achieve the result;
• may not help with severe blockages.

The price, depending on the point of sale, can be up to 100 rubles.

Mr.Muscle Active Gel

The product is available in liquid form, completely ready for use. With slight blockages, the exposure time is literally a few minutes due to the high concentration of active components. If the cork blocking water is caked and hardened, Mister Muscle may need several hours to work.

Advantages:

• high efficiency;
• active composition;
• fast action;
• ease of use.

Minuses:

• caustic composition;
• price;
• severe blockages will take several hours.

Price - about 300 rubles for a bottle of 0.5 liters. In the same series of products, the manufacturer produces not only a gel, but also a sachet with a powder to eliminate blockages.

Deboucher

The product is designed to eliminate sewage blockages. It has a thick form, actively interacts with substances that prevent the passage of water, eliminates odors.

Advantages:

• fast action;
• efficiency;
• safety for all types of pipes.

Cons: high consumption. The cost is about 200 rubles on average. Read reviews here.

Calling a plumber: price issue

The help of a plumber will be needed in such cases:

1. I can't deal with the problem myself.
2. There is a general blockage of sewage.

Preventive measures

Prevention of the appearance is the following list of measures:

1. The installation of new equipment must be carried out in accordance with all the rules.
2. It is unacceptable to throw garbage, cat litter into the toilet, drain the remains of oily food, etc.
3. Regular care of plumbing fixtures, its periodic cleaning will help to reduce the accumulation of various deposits.
4. Flushing the cistern after using the toilet will allow flushing the pipes and prevent deposits from accumulating.
5. If it is necessary to replace pipes, the new ones must be identical to the old ones in size. Plastic is preferable to metal, as it has a smoother surface, less prone to deposits and blockages.
6. When carrying out repairs in a toilet room, the toilet lid should be lowered. This will prevent accidental debris from getting inside.
7. At least once a week, the toilet bowl must be washed using household chemicals to prevent the formation of sediment and deposits.

5 prohibitions when cleaning the toilet

Having found a toilet blockage, you should remember about a number of prohibitions when cleaning. Ignoring them can only do harm, so it is important to be vigilant.

Such prohibitive measures include:

• you should not arbitrarily increase the rate / concentration of the cleaning agents used - if the drug does not help, it is better to replace it with another one;
• when choosing a purchased blockage remover, you must make sure that it is suitable for the type of pipes that are installed;
• you should not use acids and other substances that are not intended to eliminate blockages in the toilet - they can not only show inefficiency, but also harm communications;
• you should not pour whiteness into the toilet with a cork - it is unlikely to help cope with the blockage, and the caustic fumes from it will interfere with work;
• even if the cause of the blockage is fat from food debris, the use of dishwashing gel is ineffective, like Coca-Cola as a cleaning agent, the solution is to use special means.

Recommendations

Plumbers recommendations will help you cope with the task cleaning efficiently and without unpleasant consequences:

1. If you find that the toilet is clogged, you should not try to immediately drain the water from the tank. It should be borne in mind that the volume of water in it is several liters. If it merges into the bowl, some of it may even spill out onto the floor.
2. If an object falls into the toilet by accident, such as a toy, keys, etc., do not press the flush, as this may result in a blockage. In this case, it is necessary to put on rubber gloves and get the thing.
3. All pipe cleaning work should be carried out with rubber gloves, even when traditional methods of removing blockages are used.
4. It is more convenient to break through a blockage with a cable together, when one person rotates with a handle, and the other directs the cable itself to the place of the plug.

Conclusion

In many cases, you can clean the toilet bowl blockage yourself, using homemade recipes, mechanical cleaning and purchased household chemicals. With a small traffic jam, such methods should be effective. But if the problem is more complicated, and is associated with a general blockage, you cannot do without calling a plumber.