4 Hacks To Unclog Your Toilet Without A Plunger

Tips

Written by David Williams

The only thing worse than having a clogged toilet is not having the preferred tool to deal with it.

Plumbing problems are somewhat of a common occurrence at any home or business. But a clogged toilet is usually the worst issue of this kind. When a person’s toilet is clogged, they’re at risk for sanitation hazards in addition to the obvious inconvenience of not being able to use their utilities.

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Use High Amounts of Pressure

Use Soap or Cleaning Agents

Use a Pipe Snake to Push the Blockage

Use a Wire Coat Hanger Instead of a Snake or Plunger

The first step most people take in this situation is to reach for their handy plunger – but what if it isn’t there?

This go-to tool could be broken or missing, leaving the individual to improvise solutions to their problem. However, it is still possible to deal with the clog.

Here’s how to unclog a toilet without a plunger – with these four hacks, a person may be able to avoid visiting their local hardware store to get the solution they need.

Use High Amounts of Pressure

One of the main reasons a clog can pose a problem is because the water pressure in the toilet isn’t enough to dislodge it from the pipes. A combination of waste, paper, and even debris flushed down the pipes can result in this type of clog. When there is a situation like this, a person may be able to push the clog out with enough pressure.

To start, use rubber gloves and protective eyewear while scooping the water out of the bowl. This can be done with a small container.

The next step is to fill a bottle with warm water and bring it to the opening near the bottom of the bowl.

Place a finger or thumb over part of the covering, allowing only a small space for the water to go through. Squeeze the bottle and shoot the water down the opening. The high amount of pressure combined with the warm temperature could be enough to dislodge the blockage completely.

This process may need to be repeated several times to work

Use Soap or Cleaning Agents

Sometimes a clog can be handled by loosening it up a bit. One of the best ways to do this is with the proper chemicals and cleaning substances.

Not all agents used to clean can be safely flushed – it’s good to read warning signs first and even contact the maker of your plumbing system to double check. Once this method has been greenlit, you’ll start filling the bowl with warm water. It doesn’t have to be all the way full but raising the water level a bit is advised. Then you’ll add in chunks of soap or generous portions of cleaning liquids to the bowl. When you flush, the combination of warm water and cleaning agents may be able to break up the clog and make it easier to push out of the pipes

Use a Pipe Snake to Push the Blockage

When it comes to how to unclog a toilet without a plunger, using a different plumbing tool could be the right solution.

Pipe snakes are a common tool found at most hardware stores and even some large retailers. These devices are firm yet malleable. Their unique design allows them to fit down complex and winding pipe systems, making it effective for addressing clogs.

Start by feeding the unit down the opening in the bowl, slowly. Though it is able to conform to the path of pipes, it’s a good idea to take this process slowly. Be gentle, and don’t get in too much of a hurry. It is usually easy to feel where the clog is when the snake makes contact.

Once contact has been made, a person can either try to push it down or pull it back up. Sometimes just disturbing it is enough to initiate breakage, then the problem can simply take care of itself with the next flush.

Use a Wire Coat Hanger Instead of a Snake or Plunger

Knowing how to unclog a toilet without a plunger is sometimes a matter of finding the next best thing.

When a snake isn’t available, a wire coat hanger can work just as well. This one can be a bit trickier, as even a hanger stretched to its max length may be shorter than the average commercial plumbing snake.

Unwind the hanger and stretch it out, then work it into the pipes while keeping a firm grip on it – losing it can make the problem much worse. It’s a good idea to be relaxed with this approach as well. If the hanger is caught and lost, getting it out can be a pain.

Just like with a snake, moving the blockage around and breaking it up can be all it takes. Clogs are a common problem, but this is just one way a person can handle it using a common household item.