Unclogging a toilet is not easy but can be done. One step in learning to be your own handyman is learning how to unclog a toilet. Plumbers are great, but keep use them for more complicated plumbing needs.
Before starting any do it yourself home repair or improvement, do some research. There are true and tried methods to everything and comments as to the positive or negative effects of each. This will aid you in your efforts knowing what works better and possibly not having to fight the battle as long as some others might.
One good point to keep in mind is to use gloves and goggles when attempting to unclog your toilet. Chemical cleaners can be an irritant to eyes and skin, and may cause damage. Gloves will also help you to avoid contact with any bacteria. It is best to try mechanical methods before having to resort to chemicals.
Plungers can be a great tool to begin with when you have a clogged toilet. There are a few varieties of plungers available. A funnel or fluted plunger are both good tools to begin with.
Another tool used is the auger, commonly known as a “snake”. A hint to remember when using a snake is to be careful to not scratch the surface of your toilet. If you do not have one, you can find them at your local hardware store, or local home improvement center. Certain centers may have rentals as opposed to purchasing one if clogged toilets are not a common occurrence at your home. Calcium or hard water build up can sometimes cause problems.
Plumbers have recommended using a wire coat hanger, poking the straight end into each of the little holes located under the rim of the toilet bowl. This has been recommended for toilet repair. Another tried remedy is to get “Hair Delite” from your local beauty supply store. This is a bottle of granules which hairdressers use often. To unclog, pour some granules in your toilet and let it stand for a half hour. After such time, flush and your clog is cleared. This is okay to use on a preventative basis. Use a teaspoon of the granules on a monthly basis.
One of the best, inexpensive, and tried remedies for unclogging even the worst clogs is the liquid soap and hot water trick! Start by putting ¼ cup of liquid dish washing detergent into your bowl. Let it sit while you boil 2-3 quarts of water, 15-30 minutes. Pour the hot water into the bowl and you should see the clog disappear. If a little extra nudge is needed, you can use your plunger a couple times. This should do the trick and your clog has vanished!
These steps above are also applicable to dual flush toilets and one piece toilets. These One piece toilets are becoming very popular with the dual flush already included. There are also conversion kits available to convert your regular flush toilet to a dual flush toilet. These can help you save water as they handle liquid and solid waste differently.
Hopefully with these tips, you can find a method or two on how to unclog a toilet without a lot of hard work! If all else fails, then you will need to contact a plumber.
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