Clogged toilets are more than just an inconvenience; they can be an absolute nightmare. Of course, no one likes to deal with a clogged toilet. We’ve all had it happen––a time when you went to use the bathroom, moved to flush the toilet, and instead of the water draining from the bowl, it started to rise! Oh, horror of horrors!
Now, it’s probably safe to assume that you want this particular problem rectified as soon as possible. However, we do want to emphasize that delaying the resolution of the issue can lead to severe problems that can affect not just your bathroom but your entire home. So, here’s a deeper look at why Beavercreek Plumbing & Drain thinks you should address a clogged toilet immediately and some tips on how to fix it with or without a plunger.
The Horrors of Leaving a Toilet Clogged:
- Overflow and Water Damage: One of the immediate risks of a clogged toilet is overflow. When the toilet water spills over, it can cause significant water damage to your bathroom floor, subflooring, and even the ceiling below if you’re in a multi-story home. In short, the longer the water sits, the more extensive and costly the damage becomes.
- Plumbing System Backups: One important fact that often gets overlooked is that a clogged toilet isn’t just a localized issue. The clog can cause toilet water to back up into other parts of your plumbing system. This means sinks, showers, and even your home’s main sewer line could be affected. The ending result? It could cause multiple fixtures in your home to become unusable, and you could face a major plumbing nightmare.
- Health Hazards: Not to sound silly in stating the obvious here, but naturally, when toilet water overflows and spills out onto your floor, it isn’t the most hygienic situation. Stagnant water alone from a clogged toilet can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. But using toilet water clogs the toilet and spills out over the bowl, which is an unspeakable nightmare. Unpleasant odors are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential hazards of untreated clogs. As such, a clogged toilet is one thousand percent a situation you want to get squared away as quickly as possible!
How to Fix a Clogged Toilet:
While professional help is often the best course of action, here are some immediate steps you can take to manage a clogged toilet:
- Use a Plunger – A plunger is your first line of defense. It’s definitely a must-have bathroom item we believe everyone should have readily available. To fix a toilet clog with a plunger:
- Firmly grip the plunger handle with both of your hands and place the plunger end with the suction cup into the toilet bowl, completely covering the drain hole.
- Ensure you have a good seal around the toilet drain. (It should be level and flush against the bowl all around.)
- Use a steady and consistent plunging motion by pulling the plunger’s cup back without breaking the seal. This motion should dislodge the clog.
- Repeat this action until the bowl steadily starts to drain and empty itself.
- Hot Water and Dish Soap – You can try pouring dish soap into the toilet bowl, followed by hot (not boiling) water. Dish soap is thicker than water and is created to break down grease and grime, so when mixed with hot water, it could potentially soften up the clog. Do this by:
- Heating up at least a gallon of water on the stove. Remember that you want it hot but not boiling. You do not want to crack the porcelain. (Be careful!)
- In the meantime, while you are waiting for the water to heat up, you can pour dish soap into the toilet bowl.
- When the water is hot (but not boiling, as this could potentially crack the porcelain), slowly pour it into the toilet bowl.
- Allow the dish soap and hot water to sit in the toilet bowl for at least 5 minutes before attempting to flush it. You want to give it enough time to soften and do its job.
- Auger or Plumbing Snake – For more stubborn clogs, a plumbing auger or plumbing snake (which can be obtained from any home improvement store) can reach further into the pipes to break up the blockage. Simply insert the plumbing snake into the drain and twist it to push through or pull out the clog.
- Call a Professional – If after all your efforts have been exhausted, and the toilet clog is still not resolved, it’s time to call a professional plumber like Beavercreek Plumbing & Drain. We have the proper tools and expertise to diagnose and fix the problem as quickly as possible without causing further damage.
A clogged toilet can quickly escalate from a minor inconvenience to a full-blown disaster. The key is to act fast and address the issue before it impacts other parts of your home. Remember, professional plumbing services are always available, and often, the best way to ensure your plumbing system remains in top condition. Don’t wait until it turns into a bigger nightmare.
Call Beavercreek Plumbing & Drain for all your plumbing scares at (937) 404-6575, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!