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Unclogging a clogged toilet can be a huge pain. Even when all you need is a plunger, the effort might hurt your back.
Is it possible for a toilet to unclog itself? The answer really depends on the type of clog.
Fortunately, there are plenty of DIY ways to toilet unclog even when the blockage doesn’t move by itself.
Types of Clog
Most importantly, you need to know whether the clog was created by degradable materials. The toilet bowl isn’t supposed to hold anything except toilet paper and human waste.
These are flushable materials. Anything else — even flushable wipes — is a foreign object that won’t break down in the first place.
These are some objects that you should never flush:
- Feminine hygiene products
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Q-tips
- Makeup applicators
Since these materials aren’t water-soluble, they can get stuck in the sewer line. They can also wreak havoc on your septic system.
The best method of prevention is not flushing these materials in the first place.
If you’re dealing with a partial clog due to toilet paper or feces, you can wait a few hours. Then try flushing again. The clog might dissipate by itself.
But keep in mind that if the clog is major, the pipes might back up, leading to the toilet overflowing.
Ways to Unclog Your Toilet
If you don’t want to use a toilet plunger, there are a few options for how to unclog your toilet trap. A full clog is less likely to dissolve, so you should deal with it.
A low-flow toilet might also be more likely to clog with septic safe toilet paper.
If you’re really struggling, you can contact a plumber with a toilet auger. They’ll be able to snake the toilet drain and restore the water flow.
You can also create a DIY auger using a wire hanger. Simply unspool the hanger and fashion a hook on the end.
Then feed it through the pipes until it pushes on the clog. You can use the hook to break up the clog or remove debris.
Another option is boiling water on the stove. Give it a minute to cool down, then pour the hot water down the drain.
Hot tap water can sometimes help to dissolve organic clogs.
You can put liquid soap down the drain as well. Dish soap serves the purpose of making the clog slippery, so it’s more likely to slip down the pipes.
It’s even more effective than various conditioners for dirty toilet water.
A mixture of baking soda and vinegar can be used to clean your pipes. You’ll want to follow it up by scrubbing the bowl with a toilet brush.
Prevent Overflowing
When you’re dealing with a clog, you want to keep your water level low so the toilet doesn’t overflow. You might consider lowering the float at the top of the tank.
To keep your tank from refilling, you can close the shut-off valve for the water supply.
You’ll want to make sure that the toilet flapper properly seals. If the flapper is damaged and leaking, replacement kits are inexpensive on Amazon.
You might also need to check your air vent. The air vent is responsible for equalizing the water pressure so the toilet can drain unimpeded.
If the air vent is clogged by debris like leaves, there won’t be enough pressure for your toilet to drain properly.
Final Thoughts
A toilet will sometimes unclog itself. This is most common if you have a partial clog made up of organic material.
If non-flushable items have been flushed, then it’s a different story. These items aren’t biodegradable, so they’ll get stuck in the pipes.
You have to dislodge them manually.
Similarly, if you’re dealing with a full clog, it’s unlikely to resolve itself. There isn’t enough water flow to break down the debris.
This is another problem you’ll need to solve manually.