Dealing with a Clogged Toilet: Altered Remedial Measures

RohitApraj
12 Min Read

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Have you ever felt the dread of plunging the handle on your toilet bowl only to have the water rise alarmingly instead of draining away like it usually does? We have all been there just wanting to get away with it.

We had to stare, in the early morning(if you are the early bird), at the bowl of a partially submerged mystery conglomerate.

All this would last till the plumber visits and fixes it which would take a lot of time. A clogged toilet can ruin anyone’s day, but don’t despair! With the right techniques and tools, you will have a perfect draining new one in no time.

1. What To Do When the Toilet is Clogged?

What To Do When Toilet is Clogged
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First of all, do not panic. Have you watched the video of the girls panicking after the toilet bowl was clogged and started putting objects inside only to make the matter worse? The toilet water starts coming up and spreads all over the floor. This makes the ceiling of the person on the floor below leak and they start shouting at them. All this causes the domino effect.

2. Primary Assessment

The first step is to check the clog to determine the likely culprit first. You may think that petty objects can flush out easily but that is not always the case. Heavy toilet paper, wads of paper towels, or baby wipes are common offenders. They may get flushed out independently, but when they come together, they bunch up and block the works. 

Look for any signs of these and mentally prepare yourself for the digging that may lie ahead.

3. Cleaning and Clearing

Cleaning
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Clean the area around the toilet. Clear all the valuables, clothes or any other things. Also, make sure you have all the equipment and toiletries for example a plunger. If you don’t have it, clearing the clogged toilet would be difficult. You should also have a stock of rubber gloves. These rubber gloves will prevent any bacteria or virus from contacting the skin. 

4. The Process

The process is tiresome. Partially because it is related to toilets and we don’t like these things and partially because of the effort it takes without the guarantee of success.

4.1. Easy Clogs

Make sure you use the plunger we mentioned before. It has rubber cups designed to create a tighter seal against the drain opening. First, remove any remaining water from the bowl by scooping it out with a bucket. It might sound weird or dirty for some, but since your toilet is clogged you are only supposed to do it. Now, wet the plunger cup slightly and position it firmly over the drain hole. Make sure it is tight enough to create suction. Give pressure to plunge up and down several times. The suction will break up the clog and dislodge it without forcing material down the drain.

4.2. Stubborn Clogs

If after 10 good plugs or so the water isn’t drained, it may be a bigger job. For stubborn clogs, it’s time to bring out the bigger guns. Those are closet augers commonly known as toilet snakes. This is a long, flexible cable with a spiral blade on the end. To use it, first remove the shoe that covers the toilet’s drain opening beneath the bowl. Carefully insert the augur, twisting and pushing it gently into the drain until you feel resistance. Then slowly pull it down while continuously twisting it. Scrap the inside of the pipe as you retract. 

Now, it comes to your intuition whether you feel congested material being scraped away or not. Otherwise, you need to pull it out every time and see whether it is gone or not.

Remove and safely dispose of any garbage extracted from the line. Retry flushing and plunging after each pass with the auger. This process will test your patience and persistence.

4.3. The Last Resort

Professional Plumber
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Technically, this is the end of your efforts to remove the clog. If after multiple passes with the closet auger and the plunger, the line is still sluggish, the clog may be deeper in the drainage pipes rather than the toilet bowl itself. This is the point where I advise calling in a professional plumber. You might think that since we have done this much, why not do the rest of the stuff on our own? 

Trying to snake an entire drainage system from the toilet bowl is a tricky business best left to those with the proper tools. They are professionals who have skills, training, and safety information.

Another reason is that a blocked main line serves multiple fixtures that could require dismantling traps or accessing cleanouts. Again, it is a task well suited to the experts.

Though pricey, repair bills from the busted pipes are surely much worse than a service call. You may regret not calling the plumber beforehand.

5. Clogged Toilet Hacks

Imagine you are in a village or a deserted place without network connectivity. Will you still be waiting for the messenger of God to come and help you? No, so you must be well-equipped and well-known.

This article will be your saviour in situations like these. You need to think on your toes about this problem and act accordingly.

5.1. Hot Water

You can turn the tap in your bathroom sink, tub, or water heater. The point is we want hot water and not boiling water. Boiling water might melt the plastic pipes if they are weak. Pour the hot water down the drain and let it be there for a few minutes. If you see water starting to drain, then we can say that the hot water has done its magic.

Hot water can also kill the bacteria in and around the toilet. So it is good to clean your toilet with hot water once in a while.

5.2. Dish Soap

Using dish soap to remove clogged toilets is a common household trick that can work in certain situations. You need to first squirt dish soap into the toilet bowl. Allow it to sit for a few minutes. The dish soap can help lubricate the pipes and break down any organic matter (as soap is a base) or greasy residue on the way. The combination of plunging, hot water, and dish soap is the best fighter for clogging.

5.3. Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking Soda and Vinegar
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Consider treating the pipes with baking soda and vinegar solution to help dissolve mineral deposits that can encourage future clogs. Pour 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar down the toilet drain. Baking soda is a base. Owing to its pH regulation activity, sodium bicarbonate reduces the pH gradient across bacteria membranes. In this way, baking soda would clear the clog.

5.4. Toilet Bowl Cleaner or Chemical Drain Cleaner

Toilet bowl cleaners are primarily designed for clearing the disinfecting toilets rather than unclogging them. However, some toilet bowl cleaners contain chemicals that can help break down organic matter and dissolve minor clogs.

Put on rubber gloves and make sure the area is well-ventilated. Some toilet bowl cleaners contain strong chemicals that can harm them. Apply the toilet cleaner as mentioned in the instructions chart.

6. Aftermath

Alright, let’s assume you have cleared the clog through your and the plumber’s (in case) attempts. Now it’s time for clean-up and prevention. 

Use an old toothbrush or pipe cleaner to scrub the remaining residue from the drain holes and trap. Flush with plain water a few times until the bowl is clear. 

7. Prevention is Better than Cure

Now you are worrying about the clogged water and whatnot. But have you ever noticed your habits? Girls throw their sanitary pads in the toilet. Many times children’s as well as adults’ diapers are found to be the cause of clogging. Even men throw condoms, cigarettes and other stuff that they take with them into the toilet. 

This is a common practice now and it needs to be stopped. Cleaning staff all over the world report on this issue. Since what you do in the toilet is private stuff, no one takes heed of that.

Another habit that has been noticed is that people knowingly or unknowingly do not flush. Well, not flushing does not directly affect clogging, but it gives way to the production of bacteria which is not good for your health.

8. Conclusion

With any luck, your drain drama is behind you for now. But, toilet clogs tend to strike when least expected. So keep plungers, augers, and cleaners stocked just in case.

Also, don’t forget to reward yourself after vanquishing the foe- a stiff drink, massage or dessert of your choice is a small price to pay for sparing the whole house a big stick.

Nevertheless, with diligence and these simple yet effective tricks, you will be the hero or heroine who keeps the toilets flowing for all. May your bowels always run clear! S o hope you find well about clogged toilet settings!

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Rohit is pursuing a BBA degree at IIM Rohtak. He studies various subjects, from Sociology, Psychology, and Philosophy to Statistics, Calculus, Economics, Programming, and Soft Skills. He has interested in Marketing and Finance. He likes playing Cricket and Badminton and reading books in his leisure. He is a hardworking and a team player.