A blocked toilet is a major inconvenience that you’ll want to fix as soon as possible. Although plungers are often recommended as the best way to unblock toilets, there’s no need to panic if you don’t have one to hand. Luckily there are many different ways to unblock a toilet without a plunger and get everything working smoothly again.
Read on to find out more about some simple ways to unblock your toilet using everyday items that you probably already have at home.
Before you try any of the solutions listed below, remember to line the floor around the toilet with newspaper and put on some old clothes and rubber gloves, since it could get a little messy.
Washing up liquid and hot water method
Fill up about half a mug with washing up liquid and pour it into the toilet bowl. We recommend dripping the washing up liquid in a circle around the edges of the water line, and then finishing with a criss-cross pattern that covers the middle of the water surface.
Leave it for about half an hour, so that the washing up liquid can work its magic and dislodge whatever is causing the blockage.
Next, fill a bucket with hot water (not boiling water, since this could crack the porcelain) and pour it into the toilet from waist height. The force of the water being poured from this height should be powerful enough to unblock the toilet.
Wait about ten minutes before flushing the toilet, and hopefully everything will be back to normal. If not, repeat the process or try one of the other solutions below.
Bicarbonate of soda method
Bicarbonate of soda is a natural product that can be used for many different purposes around the home – including unblocking a toilet. To try it, fill a mug with bicarbonate of soda and pour it down the toilet.
Follow this with two mugs of vinegar (white vinegar is best, but ordinary vinegar is fine too), and you’ll see a chemical reaction that causes the water to fizz and bubble up. Leave it to do its work for about half an hour, then pour a bucket of hot water into the toilet bowl.
This should unblock the toilet and you’ll be able to flush it normally again.
DIY drain snake method
If something is blocking your toilet, you might need to dislodge it manually. Although this may not be the most glamorous of activities, luckily you don’t need any special equipment to do it.
All you need is a wire coat hanger, which you can unravel until it’s straight. Then bend one end of it into a U shape, and push and pull this end in and out of the toilet to break up the blockage.
Make sure you wear gloves for this one to protect you from any nasty germs or mess.
Pressure release method
Last but not least is the pressure release method, which involves creating a DIY plunger with a large plastic bottle. You’ll definitely need gloves for this one, as it could get a little messy.
Start by cutting the bottom off a large plastic bottle. Put the bottle to one side, then scoop water out of the toilet and into a bucket using a small container or jug.
You need to be able to get your hand into the toilet bowl without water spilling over the sides. Now put the lid on the plastic bottle, or use your thumb to cover the hole at the top. Lower the bottle into the toilet and vigorously thrust it up and down, using the same motion as if you were using a real plunger.
Make sure that the bottom of the bottle stays submerged in the water as you do this, as this will create a vacuum seal that will hopefully force the blockage through the pipe.
These simple fixes should have your toilet working normally again in no time. However, if you’ve given it a go and the blockage still isn’t budging, it could be time to call in extra help. Hire a near you Tasker today
