How to Plunge a Toilet
The toilet won’t flush – UGH! Sound familiar? Most of us go throughout our daily lives without giving the toilet a second thought, until it happens. A. Clogged. Toilet. No need for panic though, with a little patience and the right plunger, you can have it up and running in no time without flooding the bathroom or making the situation worse. With a few of these helpful tips below, we’ll show you how to avert an early morning disaster by clearing a clogged toilet.
Required tools for unclogging a toilet:
Having the necessary tools for unclogging your toilet before you begin will save you time and frustration.
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Rubber gloves
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Towels that are OK to get dirty
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Plunger
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Plumbing snake
Begin with a plunger
It can be a messy job to plunge a toilet. To minimize cleanup, use old towels that you won’t mind getting dirty at the base of the toilet. If you do not already own a plunger at home, then you’ll need to head to your nearest hardware store. Please keep in mind that there are different types of plungers, so be sure you have one that is best to clear a clogged toilet. Buy a toilet plunger with an extension flange on the rubber bell-shaped end, which is designed to fit toilets better. How to use a plunger:
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Be sure there is enough water in the toilet bowl, just so the head of the plunger is submerged.
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Ease the plunger in the bowl so water doesn’t splash out by guiding the flange into the drain hole (this is where the rubber gloves come in – just in case).
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Position the handle so it is straight above the drain to get the best pressure and seal while working.
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Grip the plunger handle with both hands and begin to push down gently the first time, and then forcefully and pull back up – repeat the push-pull motion several times.
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The goal is to create rapidly alternating forces of compression and suction in the toilet drain, which will loosen the clog.
Flush the toilet
If it flushes normally – you did it! If you’re not so lucky and the toilet is still on the verge of overflowing, remove the tank lid and push the round rubber trap door (called the flapper) down over the hole to stop the water from entering the bowl. When the tank stops refilling, try plunging the toilet again.
If all else fails, try the plumbing snake
If the plunger doesn’t seem to be working, try using a plumbing snake, also known as an auger. This tool is used to break up and remove clogs with its unique design to flex and maneuver the tricky curves of a toilet.
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