Using the best product for unblocking a toilet can make a crappy job much easier. It’s a problem no one likes to talk about, but blocked toilets and sewer lines are common—and have many causes. It’s useful to know how to unblock a toilet and prevent future problems. As a local emergency plumber in Melbourne, I rescue residents every day from blocked toilet troubles.
Here’s my evaluation of The Best Product for Unblocking Toilets
In this post we explain what the best product is for unblocking toilets, how you can fix a basic blocked toilet problem as well as tips to prevent toilet blockages in your home. Always check to see if your home’s overflow relief gully (ORG) is overflowing first. If it’s not, try the products and methods we have provided below.
We share the Best Product for Unblocking Toilets
If it is overflowing, call the plumber straight away as the problem is most likely bigger than a plunger can handle. When the water level is high in your overflow relief gully or if it is already overflowing, this may indicate a problem in your main sewer line. This is concerning because it means that the blockage is no longer localised in a single drain in the property.
The best products for unblocking toilets are a plunger, an auger, or cleaning chemicals and hot water
The best products to use are a plunger, auger, or mixture of cleaning chemicals and hot water. Plungers are the simplest and least costly option available. They provide quick relief for most clogs but aren’t usually effective for large obstructions.
The auger method is much more time consuming than the other two but it is also more effective at clearing clogs in the toilet. A chemical solution such as Drano or Draino will dissolve buildup in your pipes and clear up small blockages.
While a mixture of hot water and vinegar should be used when you have a light blockage buildup over time that isn’t easily reached with a plunger or an auger. The vinegar can break down the blockage without damaging your pipes like some chemical solutions will do if not used properly.
The best product for unblocking a toilet – A toilet plunger
If your toilet is blocked, the best product to unblock it with is a toilet plunger. If you have a plunger and some hot water, you can unblock most toilets. A little bit of patience and elbow grease can save you from an expensive plumbing bill.
The most effective method for unblocking a toilet using a plunger includes both plastic and rubber plungers. Plungers have been used for decades as one of the most effective ways to clear blockages from drains and plumbing systems in general.
These are the most common tools to use and are easy to find in a range of prices. These products range from the standard form $10-25 for a basic one or a higher quality product called Rothenberger Ropump for around $210.
When using a plunger, place the cup over the drain opening of the toilet bowl and create a tight seal, once this is done push and pull the plunger vertically for around half a second. With regard to the Rothenberger, create the seal and use the pump.
When you pull the plunger up, you should feel some suction, this force will pull the blockage up and out. Once the blockage has surfaced in the toilet bowl use rubber gloves to remove and dispose of it in the trash.
The next best product for unblocking toilets with – A Toilet Auger
Toilet augers are one of the best products for unblocking toilets, and they’re easy to use. A toilet auger is essentially a long metal rod with an electric motor at one end and a wire cable at the other end that’s used to clear out clogs from your toilet’s water pipes.
To use a toilet auger, simply slide it all the way down the drain pipe and turn on the device’s motor until you feel resistance (this will indicate that you’ve reached whatever is clogging your drain). Then slowly pull up on the rod until you dislodge whatever was in there—and finally, rinse away any remaining debris with water from your sink or tub faucet.
Use baking soda and vinegar to remove small blockages in toilets
If you’ve got a clogged toilet or drain, you may be wondering what the best product for unblocking toilets is. Well, in this section, we’ll go over some household products that can help get your toilet back to normal.
First up: baking soda and vinegar. This method involves adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to the toilet bowl, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. Let that sit for 20 minutes or so before flushing the toilet again (you might have to do this multiple times). This method can be effective on smaller blockage drains that are still flowing but not as well as they should.
Unblock a toilet with dish soap and hot water
They’ll work wonders on slow flowing drains! Note that this method is best for relieving light clogs; if your toilet’s flow is slow or intermittent, it may not be worth your while to try to fix it yourself. What you’ll need: A bucket of boiling hot water and half a cup of dish soap
Pour the half cup of dish soap into the toilet bowl, let it sit for 5 minutes on top of the blockage and spread across the surface of the water. Carefully pour the very hot water into the toilet bowl and watch as the soap bubbles and helps to release the blockage in the toilet.
Next, flush the toilet once and see if the blockage goes down. If this doesn’t work and you don’t have any plumbing tools at home like a plunger, then it’s best to either buy one or just call a plumber.
Call Zebra Plumbing – Blocked Toilet Plumber
If you’re not comfortable using DIY methods to unblock your toilet, then call a plumber. Trained professionals who know how to unblock toilets without causing damage to your property are professional plumbers like us.
A plumber will get the job done quickly and efficiently, ensuring that you have a pleasant experience as soon as possible. We carry high pressure water jetters that can clear the most stubborn blockages and even cut out tree roots.
We’re well situated plumbers in Hawthorn and drive around from job to job all over the city, from South Melbourne to North. We’re always nearby neighbourhoods such as Richmond, Kew, and Camberwell just to name a few. We’ll be there to help you as soon as you need us. Just give us a call!
What are the most common causes of blocked toilets?
- An old or faulty toilet
- Lack of regular maintenance
- Too much toilet paper
- Tampons, hair, baby wipes, nappies, sanitary products and condoms all contribute to a blocked loo.
- So do food waste (especially fatty scraps)
- Obstructions in your main sewer drain
- Collapsed sewer pipes
DIY tips on how to unblock your toilet at home
First, check the drain to see if it’s backed up. If you can’t find any visible clogs in the toilet bowl that can be removed, try using some of these DIY tips before you call the plumber:
Flush the toilet again and repeat until it drains well, remember this will only work if the water is still draining but is just draining slowly.
Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain followed by boiling water that’s been brought to a rolling boil in a saucepan or kettle. Let this sit for at least 10 minutes before running cold water down your drain to help push out any remaining clog
If you don’t have baking soda or vinegar on hand, try pouring a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda down your drain followed by boiling water. Let this sit for at least 10 minutes before running cold water down your drain to help push out any remaining clog. It will foam up a little and hopefully loosen any small build up in the pipes
If a clog is still present after the first attempt, repeat this process two or three times. If this doesn’t work, you may need to call a plumber.
5 Tips to easily prevent blocked toilets in your home
To prevent blocked toilets, there are several things you can do:
- Reduce the amount of toilet paper you use. It’s not just the right thing to do for the environment, it’s also a way to prevent clogs in your home’s sewage system.
- Don’t use your toilet as a trash can. Flush only waste and toilet paper. Don’t flush anything that isn’t biodegradable.
- When you finish using the toilet, close the lid to prevent things from falling into it or getting flushed. You can prevent accidents by keeping the lid closed. If you have small children in your house, use a safety lid lock to keep them from opening the lid.
- Routine use of an enzymatic drain cleaner will prevent clogs in your pipes. But once a year, call in the pros to clean out your toilets and drains.
- Make sure your toilet is in top working order and avoid any tricks that may interfere with the water tank, flushing mechanism or drain, in order to save water.
Our suggestion for unblocking toilets at home
We hope that our post on the best product for unblocking toilets has been helpful. It’s important not only for you but also for your family members and guests who visit often. If you’re looking for the best product for unblocking toilets, we recommend using a plunger.
These two options work well in most situations because they don’t require any special equipment or chemicals like sulphuric acid which can damage pipes over time. But if the blockage won’t go away or is too stubborn or you’re not sure, always give the plumber a ring and let the professionals sort it out. Contact us or make a booking online.
Other common problems and maintenance that affect toilets include leaks and cleaning. Using toilet block cleaner adds another layer of cleaning and protection for your toilet. Also, some basic knowledge on how to fix a leaking toilet can go a long way to making a happy home.
Visit our Zebra Plumbing YouTube channel for helpful plumbing videos.
