What can you do to unclog a toilet?

The task of going near a toilet with the intention of unclogging it is not a particularly appealing one. However, this is something you will need to attempt yourself, particularly if you do not wish to pay for a plumber to come and fix the problem. We all know that we wish to keep that option as the last resort.  On the more positive side of things, we know that unclogging a toilet does not require expertise skill which makes your task much easier. The same cannot be said for other areas of plumbing which require complex handling skills.  

Before you rush into things it is best to first establish what is actually causing the clog. You may be guilty of repeatedly disposing items in the toilet that cannot be easily flushed such as baby wipes or cotton wool. In these cases you will most likely need to use the plunger. You should note that toilet paper is designed specifically so that it can be flushed easily; the same cannot be said of other items. So for future notice, do not attempt to flush away items that are non-flushable.  

If on the other hand, you hear bubbling in the tub, then chances are that your sewer line is clogged. You should try turning on the bathroom sink if you hear bubbling. If this makes matters worse, then it is very likely that you will need to call a plumber, as plunging alone will not suffice.

In order to commence plunging, you first need to ensure that there is a sufficient amount of water in the toilet. This will work in pushing the clog all the way out of the drain. You should plunge up and down several times so the plunger fills with water. You may have to repeat this process quite a few times to solve the blockage problem.

The key to all this is to insert a little aggression in the plunging. This will work to force the water in the plunger through the waste outlet of the toilet , dislodging the blockage in the process. You may splash a little water outside the bowl, however you can avoid this messy business by not filling up with too much water.

If you have gone through all of this and still find yourself gazing in frustration at your toilet having not resolved the clog problem do not worry. For there is an alternative. The alternative being the snake (or otherwise known as the auger). The snake is quite simple to use once you get to grips with it.  All you have to do is expand the handle until it is all the way out, then insert the functional end into the outlet of the toilet bowl, and crank it down into the bowl, making sure the cable goes into the drain.

Once the bowl has been drained, you should then flush the toilet pulling the cable up at the same time. This is so that the cable can be cleaned.   It is strongly advised that you  flush the toilet a good number of times before you put the snake away.