Stubborn Toilet Clog? Try These Home Remedies

A clogged toilet is no fun, especially if you don’t have a plunger or a drain snake. But don’t worry, you can probably get the job done using these tricks.

Just wait. Clogs made of mostly toilet paper have a chance of dissolving on their own. If the toilet doesn’t flush the first time, wait a few minutes for some of the water to drain, then try again.

Add dish soap. Pour about a half cup of regular dish soap into the toilet. Wait a bit and allow the soap to lubricate the pipes so the clog slides down more easily. If necessary, follow up with hot water.

Try hot water. Dump a bucket of hot (not boiling) bath water into the toilet. When poured from about waist level, the force of the water could dislodge the clog.

Use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Pour one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar down the toilet and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Follow up with hot water, if needed.

Create a makeshift drain snake. Start by unwinding a wire coat hanger so it’s straight except for the hook. Tightly wrap a small rag around the hook to protect the porcelain, put on rubber gloves, and insert the hanger into the toilet until you locate the clog. Once the water starts to drain, flush the toilet, wait a few minutes, and flush again. Repeat as necessary.

If these remedies don’t work – or if you’d rather not mess with it – the professionals at East End Plumbing can help, often on the same day. Definitely contact them if the clog doesn’t move, the toilet overflows constantly, or you flush the toilet and sewage comes up through the bathroom drains. These are all signs of an issue deep inside the plumbing system and they should be addressed sooner rather than later.

Also, it’s best to avoid harsh chemicals. Although sometimes effective, chemical drain cleaners are potentially unsafe and can cause serious damage, including cracked and leaking pipes.