How to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger?

Unclogging a blocked toilet without a plunger almost appears nearly impossible, however that is not always the case.Plungers have been the go-to DIY for unclogging minor blocked toilets. However, there are other methods to relieve clogging in your toilet. These approaches are as effective as using a plunger to remove stuck objects and other debris.

Based on our daily professional experience, we are exploring alternative approaches to unclogging a toilet when a plunger is unavailable which include the following: hot water and soap, baking soda and vinegar, commercially available chemical cleaners & more advanced plumbing tools.

Unclogging a Blocked Toilet

A blocked toilet results from foreign objects getting stuck down the drain pipes. Hygiene products, two-ply toilet paper, hair, nappies, sanitary wipes,  and other toilertary items are the usual reasons behind a  blocked drain. Always avoid non-flushable items from going down the toilet drain. However, foreign objects are not the only reason for clogging. Here are some other factors that contribute to a blocked toilet:

• Damaged sewer pipes – The sewer line is in charge of draining wastewater into the municipal sewer system or to the septic tank. When its pipes get punctured, it interferes with the wastewater drainage. A damaged sewer pipe also allows dirt, rocks and other debris to enter the sewer line and cause further clogging.
• Obstructed plumbing vents – Majority of people  are unaware that water pipes are not the only components of the sewer line. Ventilation pipes also make up a lot of it and are responsible for releasing sewer gasses through the building’s roof. Obstruction in the vent pipes reduces the flushing power in the toilet.
• Partially blocked S-trap pipes – The S-trap pipe is situated at the back of the toilet and comes up from the ground and makes its way into the toilet bowl. It is responsible for ensuring foul odours in the drain pipes do not pass through the toilet bowl into the property. A partially blocked s-trap pipe toilet cannot be easily identified until it is fully clogged and toilet repairs are required

Giving it immediate proper attention is the way to go when dealing with this blockage. For years, homeowners and businesses have relied on one tool to help relieve this clogging. While using a plunger is the most common way to DIY a blocked toilet, there are other methods to repair it. These tried and tested methods are easy to do and make use of readily available materials found at home. The following are some other ways to relieve clogging in this bathroom fixture:

Using Hot Water and Soap

Hot water works best in breaking down whatever is causing the blockage. This method is most effective when water in the toilet bowl has been reduced to a minimum. All one needs to do is to pour a bucket of about a gallon of hot water into the toilet bowl. Our blocked drain specialists do not recommend boiling water as it could break the porcelain toilet.

Homeowners could also add a liquid dish soap when using hot water. If the toilet is still draining slowly after pouring hot water, the grease-cutting properties of the liquid soap can help in dissolving solids causing the blockage.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Mixture

If hot water and soap did not help relieve the blockage, a baking soda and vinegar solution usually do the trick. Unclogging by this method is done by adjusting the water in the bowl by half-full before pouring the mixture. A cup of baking soda is added to the water. Next, vinegar should be slowly poured into the bowl. The combination of both will create a fizz. After, all that needs to be done is to wait until the water goes down, which indicates that the toilet bowl was unclogged. We  also recommend using Epsom salt as it also produces a fizzy chemical reaction.

The mixture combination is as follows:

• ½ a cup of bicarb (baking) soda down the drain followed by ½ cup of white vinegar.
• Plug your drain and let it sit for approximately 1 hour.
• Pour a cup of boiling hot water down the drain

Commercially Available Chemical Cleaners

When the aforementioned household-ready materials are not enough to unclog the toilet, there are commercially available cleaners which can help with the job. These cleaners are more powerful in composition, enabling them to effectively remove the clog. Blocked drain plumbers recommend choosing a non-corrosive cleaner to prevent drain damage. However, an important call out is that they may not be best for the environment depending on the brand

Can Toilets Unclog Themselves?

Yes, toilets can be free of clogging within days. Water-soluble objects dissolve in due time. Toilet paper and human waste can dissolve but it could take days before it happens. However, wipes, diapers and menstrual products do not dissolve in water even after several days.

However, it is best to immediately fix a blocked toilet. Leaving a clogged toilet can cause the following consequences:

• Overflows
• Bacteria growth
• Foul odour
• Worsening clog

How To Unclog a Toilet When the Bowl is Full?

It gets pretty nasty when the toilet bowl is full to the brim. If this is the case, blocked drain plumbers recommend removing some water from the toilet bowl. Once there is enough room to remove the cause behind the clogging, you can try the several aforementioned DIY fixes for blocked toilets.

Experience the Best Blocked Toilet Repair in Sydney Today!

By working with the most recommended and experienced blocked drain plumber, property owners are assured they are getting the most out of their spending. Our emergency plumber team here at Optimised Plumbing Services have been committed to providing homeowners and businesses with the best unclogging services for over 20 years. We have made it our mission to ensure no property across NSW suffers from clogging for days.

Each blocked drain specialist in our team has completed the required course and apprenticeship mandated by NSW Fair Trading. It means that they have the skills needed to work following The Plumbing Code of Australia and other related building codes. With our combined experience and knowledge, we can help homeowners and businesses deal with whatever is causing clogging in their toilets. Regardless if it is a small toy or hundreds of wipes, our blocked drain repair team can provide the best resolution to this problem. Contact Optimised Plumbing Services now to have the most trusted and preferred plumber in Sydney fix your blocked toilet today!