This next article in our unique homeowner series will likely share with you how to clear a blocked toilet.
What to Avoid
There are many chemical products on the market that claim they can break down blockages. We don’t recommend these products for your clogged toilet. Even though Drano is not recommended for use in a toilet, it can cause serious health problems.
These concerns include the possibility of accidentally mixing chemicals to clear the blockage, which could lead to toxic fumes that can be deadly. Here’s what could happen to your plumbing if you use just one product, Drano.
This product uses chemicals to remove the blockage and generates heat. This product is only for certain types of drain clogs. Your bathroom is not designed to deal with this type of chemical reaction.
PVC pipes are a type plastic that can melt under heat. This reaction can also damage older pipes that have been corroded. You may need a new toilet because the porcelain can crack.
Best case scenario: If you tried to plunge again but failed to clear the blockage, the item could splash onto your skin and cause severe burns.
What to Do
What should you do if chemicals are not an option to unclog your toilet? As you may have guessed, a plunger is the best tool to clear a toilet blockage.
These bell-shaped plungers, which are made specifically for toilets, are the best because they form the best suction around the opening.
It will be difficult to seal the plunger properly if it is too stiff. You can soften the rubber by putting the plunger in hot water for a few seconds.
Start slowly as the sudden pressure of the plunger can sometimes cause water waves to pour out of the bathroom onto the floor. As you try to get the water out of the pipes underneath the bathroom, focus on the pulling action and not the pushing.
Troubleshooting a clogged toilet
If you think the blockage was due to too much toilet paper and that plunging isn’t working, it may be worth letting the toilet sit for a bit. After a short time, the bathroom paper will begin to break down. The clog can then be cleared with another flush or another method of stirring.