Clogged toilets are a pain to deal with, but you can often deal with them yourself. At Top Notch Plumbing Services Inc., we want to help you keep your plumbing in good working order, so here are some simple methods to take care of a clogged toilet. Should these fail, it’s likely a more serious issue that is better handled by professionals. Our team has the right experience and equipment to take on the toughest plumbing issues, but before the problem gets that far, try these solutions:
- Plunger- Many toilet clogs can be fixed with a simple plunger. It’s a good idea to wear rubber gloves while performing this job, as it can get messy. Insert the plunger into the toilet and seal it over the drain. Plunge gently at first, as the belly of the plunger is initially full of air that can cause splashing if it’s forced out too fast. After you force out the air, plunge vigorously in and out. This forces water through the drain in both directions, which should loosen the clog. Be patient–you might need to plunge multiple times, but in most cases a plunger is still all you need to deal with a clogged toilet.
- Snake- If plunging doesn’t work, you can reach for a drain snake. This tool is a long, flexible wire coil with a corkscrew-like tip. Feed it into your pipe until you encounter the clog, then turn the snake clockwise so the screw will either break up the clog, or catch the debris so that you can pull it out.
If neither of these solutions works, your clogged toilet needs professional attention. Call our team at Top Notch Plumbing Services Inc. to get your toilet back up and running.