Can’t flush the toilet? If a clog stops water from draining or your bathroom drains slowly, and you suspect a clog could be the issue, there are a few different methods and techniques you can use to loosen and potentially unclog a toilet without the help of a plumber in Sydney.

1. Toilet Plunger

This is the simplest way to clear minor clogs. Grab a plunger, form a tight seal around the drain of your toilet bowl, and plunge it as hard as you can to build up suction and break up the clog. It’s often best to fall the toilet in addition to the other methods on this list, as plunging can help increase their effectiveness.

2. Chemical Drain Cleaner

Chemical drain cleaner uses potent compounds that eat away at hair, paper, and other organic debris within drains. However, this method won’t work if the toilet is completely clogged. It’s better to use it for slow draining rather than blocked toilets.

3. Baking Soda And Vinegar

Like chemical drain cleaner, this should not be used if your pipes are completely blocked, only if they are draining very slowly. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the toilet, flush it, and follow it up with 1-2 cups of vinegar while the baking soda flushes. This will create a chemical reaction that can help break apart the clog.

4. Dish Soap And Boiling Water

Again, don’t do this if the toilet is completely clogged since you must flush the water down the drain. If your bathroom is blocked, this won’t work.

Dump ½ cup of dish soap into your toilet, flush it and follow it up with 3-4 cups of boiling water. The dish soap and boiling water can work together to lubricate and break apart the clog.

5. Wire Coat Hanger Or Plumbing Snake

Sometimes, a shallow clog can be broken up with a wire coat hanger. Unwind the hanger and stick it as far down the drain as possible, then move it around to break up waste and toilet paper, unclogging the toilet.

A plumbing snake or “drain snake” is even more effective. You can get this at any hardware store. It looks like a long, flexible metal tubing with a drill or drill-like tip. You push it into your drain, unspool it, and twist it to break up the clog.

6. Wet/Dry Vacuum

If you have a wet/dry vacuum, you can use it to unclog your toilet. Stick the nozzle into the drain, then wrap a towel around it to create a tight seal. Then, turn on the vacuum to suck out the water and break apart the clog. Make sure to sanitize and clean the vacuum properly after doing this, as there will likely be waste and bacteria in the void.

Get The Help You Need From Wilco Plumbing

Whether you’ve got a clogged toilet, you can’t stop water from entering the bowl, and your toilet bowl is overflowing, or you have any other plumbing problem that you can’t resolve on your own, it’s time to call Wilco’s plumbers in Sydney. Give us a ring at (02) 9186 3371 to get started, or contact us online for an appointment.