How to Unblock a Toilet WITHOUT a Plunger

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to clear a blocked toilet without a plunger, there are a few things you can try. If you’d like to learn how to unblock a toilet without a plunger, here’s a quick video about all the different ways to unblock a toilet without a plunger…

If you’ve ever been in a situation where you needed to unclog a toilet without a plunger, you know it can be a real challenge.

This blog post will teach you how to unclog a blocked toilet drain without a plunger using 9 simple methods. Keep reading for tips that will save the day next time you’re faced with this pesky-and embarrassing problem!

1. Try a toilet brush if you’re in a public bathroom

Why it works: If you’ve clogged a public toilet, search for a toilet brush to poke the clog with. This will help to break up large items that refuse to flush.

Tools Required

• Toilet brush

Steps

1. Grab your brush and gently poke at the clogged toilet
2. Use small circular motions to break up the toilet clog. Avoid using direct blunt force in case it compacts the debris further.

2. Pour in hot water

Why it works: The heat will help to break up any clogs.

Tools Required

• Rubber gloves
• Bucket of hot water

Steps

1. First, check to see if anything blocking the toilet bowl can be removed by hand.
2. Fill up your bucket with hot water from the bathtub or shower (Caution: If water is too hot, it could crack your porcelain toilet)
3. Put on your safety gloves and slowly pour hot water into the toilet bowl
4. Check to see if clog is dislodged and repeat if necessary

3. Wear rubber gloves to remove large debris

Why it works: This method unblocks large items that may be clogging your toilet bowl.

Tools Required

• Rubber gloves
• Small container that can be thrown away

Steps

1. Put on your cleaning gloves
2. Pull out any large debris trapped inside your toilet bowl
3. Add the debris to the disposable container and throw away when finished

4. Squirt in liquid dish soap

Why it works: Dish soap degreases and lubricates a clogged toilet. If you have a clogged pipe, this helps break up clogs and pass them through your plumbing system.

Tools Required

• 1/2 cup Liquid dish soap
• 1-2 l of 50-60 °C Warm water

Steps

1. Squirt in about a half cup of dish soap into your toilet bowl
2. Add warm water (Not boiling hot water)
3. Wait. Give the liquid soap time to lubricate and degrease
4. Flush and repeat if necessary.

5. Create a pseudo-plunger with this hot water trick

Why it works: Although this solution is a bit messy, it forces water pressure down your toilet without a plunger.

Tools Required

• Large plastic bottle
• Disposable gloves
• Hot water

Steps

1. Use gloves to remove as much water and debris as possible
2. Fill up a large plastic bottle with hot water
3. Place your gloved thumb over the bottle’s spout
4. Insert the bottle directly into your toilet bowl and remove your thumb from the opening
5. Use two hands to squeeze the bottle and force water pressure into the clog
6. Repeat as needed

6. Mix up baking soda and vinegar

Why it works: The fizzy chemical reaction between vinegar and bicarb soda is an all natural solution to unclog a blocked toilet.

Caution: This method may remove light toilet clogs but is not advised for more severe blockage. Although these are natural ingredients, they can lead to erosion within your plumbing pipes.

Tools Required

• 1 cup baking soda
• 2 cups vinegar

Steps

1. Ensure your toilet is half full with toilet water
2. Pour one cup of baking soda into the bowl followed by two cups of vinegar
3. Let the vinegar and baking soda sit for a half hour before flushing the toilet
4. In most cases, this simple method will clear a blocked toilet if you don’t have a plunger handy
5. If the clog does not shift, call a plumber or pipe relining company for an expert opinion

7. Sprinkle in epsom salts

Why it works: Similar to bicarb and vinegar, epsom salts create a chemical reaction within the clogged toilet to remove stubborn debris. Because epsom salt contains magnesium and sulphate, it works better than table salt to clear a clogged area.

Tools Required

• 1 cup epsom salts
• 1-2 l hot water

Steps

1. Pour one cup of epsom salt into your clogged toilet
2. Wait for the salt’s magnesium to react with the water and create bubbles
3. After 15 minutes, flush the epsom salt down with hot water

8. Unclog a toilet with a homemade drain snake

Why it works: If you need to unclog a toilet without a commercial drain snake or auger, DIY plumbing snakes mimic the same clearing action of professional drain snakes.

Tools Required

• Metal wire hanger
• Safety gloves
• Goggles

Steps

1. Straighten the metal hanger into a long rod
2. Put on your protective gear and insert the wire hanger into the clog
3. Use circular motions to break up the plumbing clog with the wire coat hanger
4. Flush the toilet and repeat as needed

9. Reach for the drain cleaning chemicals

Why it works: Drain cleaners and solvents are formulated with special chemicals to clear all types of blocked drains. If none of the above DIY tips worked to clear your clog, you may have better success with this popular unclogging trick.

Tools Required

1. Chemical drain cleaner (Check out ProductReview.com.au’s list of best solvent and drain cleaners)

Steps

1. Follow the solvent’s guidelines to clear your toilet drain
2. If chemical uncloggers don’t do the trick, call a drain specialist

4 Tips to prevent a clogged toilet drain

Clogs are a common frustration amongst bathroom goers. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent your toilet from becoming clogged in the first place.

1. Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper and waste
2. Don’t flush too much toilet paper at once as this can also cause a clog.
3. If you have a septic tank, be sure to have it pumped regularly to avoid buildup.
4. Inspect your toilet regularly for signs of a clog, such as water backing up into the bowl or slow draining.

Here’s a quick list of items to watch out for…

Items that will clog a toilet drain

• Feminine hygiene products
• Nappies
• Paper towels
• Grease
• Small plastic objects
• Pet or children’s toys
• Hairballs

Toilet clogs are a pain, but with these simple instructions you should be able to unblock your toilet without too much fuss. And if you find yourself stuck with a stubborn toilet clog, don’t hesitate to give our plumbing specialists a call. We’re always happy to help out and offer free consultations.

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