Simple Advice for Unclogging Your Toilet
Instead of immediately reaching for the plunger, start by stopping the flow of water. Lift the lid off the tank of your toilet and quick as possible and close the toilet flapper. The flapper releases water from the tank and into the bowl, and by closing it you can stop toilet water from overflowing onto your bathroom. You don’t want to deal with a clogged toilet and a smelly, flooded bathroom.
What is the right plunger, you ask? You need a funnel-cup plunger to effectively create a good seal between it and the toilet bowl. Often people have cup plungers instead, which don’t have the necessary added piece that extends off the bottom of the rubber cup.
Pliant plungers work much better than hard, stiff ones. Run yours under some warm water before using it. We know it’s an extra step, but it’s the difference between a plunger that works the first time and one that doesn’t.
Chances are you’re not an expert on plunging, or you wouldn’t be reading this! Push you plunger into the toilet, until you have formed a seal. Give a few up and down strokes and the flush the toilet. If the water drains, your toilet is unclogged. If it begins to rise, close the flapper again. Repeat the process until you fix the clog.
If your toilet is still clogged, turn to dishwasher detergent and hot water. The combination helps to break up whatever is clogging your pipes. Also, if a plunger isn’t on hand at a friend’s house and you’re too embarrassed to ask, the hot water may be enough to clear the clog without the use of the plunger.
