If you’ve ever taken the plunge and volunteered to unclog a toilet, either because you lost a bet, or because it is your innate nature to be considerate and a masochist at the same time, fear not. A few well-timed toilet repair tips can show you how to unclog a toilet in no time; or at least no longer than a few minutes.
An abnormal water level is usually the best clue to let you know that the toilet should not be used without first unclogging it. The worst time to face a clogged toilet is the exact time that you were hoping to use it. It is recommended that you seek relief elsewhere first, and then come back to tackle your porcelain problem. This way, you won’t be cursing right through your cleaning task.
If, however, there was no indication of a clog, and you did use the toilet, you’ll figure it out as you hit that flush lever. The worst kind of toilet to clean is a just-used toilet that’s threatening to overflow onto your bathroom floor. It’s a dirty job but somebody’s got to do it.
Your first step would be to get a plunger. A good plunger should have a tapered lip that allows it to form a good air-seal. Plunger in hand, you are now ready to unclog the toilet. Gently introduce the plunger all the way in until the lip surrounds the opening.
Push firmly until the stick depresses the cup as far as it will go, then pull back. Repeat this step a few times until suction is created that will dislodge the block. You’ll know when that happens by the sounds that the plumbing will make – it really sounds like a happy gurgling if you listen hard enough.
To be sure that the clog is removed, do a short flush if available on your model. If not you can open the top of the reservoir and gently press the float down or operate the water release mechanism manually. If the water in the bowl retains its normal level, you have just successfully learnt how to unclog a toilet.
Sometimes the clog may be caused by foreign objects. This doesn’t necessarily refer to a bottle of French wine or a piece of Australian leather – merely stuff that may have fallen in, like a toy that a toddler brought along for the company, or a pack of cigarettes that accidentally fell in and got flushed.
In that situation, you can use a tool called an auger or snake, consisting of a plastic sheath over a spring core. Push it in until it touches the object, and then move it back and forth to try and dislodge it.
If all else fails, call a plumber and hope and pray that you won’t end up paying for a major plumbing overhaul.
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