Clogged toilets are more than just a hassle; they can be a total nightmare! We all know the feeling—you go ahead and use the bathroom, you flush, and instead of the water draining, it starts to rise! Yikes!
Keep in mind that putting off finding a fix for a toilet clog can lead to some serious issues that could affect not just your bathroom but your whole home. So, let’s take a quick look at why Lebanon Plumbing & Drain thinks you should tackle that clogged toilet right away and share some tips on how to deal with it, whether you’ve got a plunger or not.
The Following Is a Few Things That Can Happen When You Leave a Toilet Clogged:
- Overflow and Water Damage: One of the biggest concerns with a clogged toilet is overflow. When the toilet water spills over, it can really mess up your bathroom floor, subflooring, and even the ceiling below if you’re in a multi-story home. Basically, the longer the water sits, the more expensive and extensive the damage will be.
- Plumbing System Backups: A key point that often gets overlooked is that a clogged toilet isn’t just a small issue. The clog can lead to toilet water backing up into other parts of your plumbing system. This means your sinks, showers, and even the main sewer line could be affected. The end result? Multiple fixtures in your home could become unusable, and you could find yourself facing a serious plumbing headache.
- Health Hazards: Not to state the obvious, but when toilet water overflows and spills onto your floor, it’s definitely not a clean situation. Stagnant water from a clogged toilet can quickly turn into a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Plus, when toilet water spills out over the bowl, it’s a nightmare. Unpleasant odors are just the beginning of the potential hazards of untreated clogs. So, please trust us: a clogged toilet is definitely something you want to tackle ASAP!
The Following Is a Few Ways to Unclog Your 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 go-to tool for tackling clogs. It’s definitely a bathroom essential that everyone should keep handy. Here’s how to fix a toilet clog with a plunger:
- Grab the plunger handle with both hands and pop the suction cup end into the toilet bowl, covering the drain hole completely.
- Make sure you’ve got a good seal around the toilet drain— it should sit level and flush against the bowl all the way around.
- Push and pull the plunger with a steady motion, keeping that seal intact. This should help break up the clog.
- Keep at it until the bowl starts to drain and empty out.
- Hot Water and Dish Soap – Give this a shot: pour some dish soap into the toilet bowl, then follow it up with hot (not boiling) water. Dish soap is thicker than water and designed to break down grease and grime, so when you mix it with hot water, it might just help loosen that clog. Here’s how to do it:
- Heat up at least a gallon of water on the stove. Make sure it’s hot but not boiling—you don’t want to crack the porcelain. (Be careful!)
- While you wait for the water to heat up, pour some dish soap into the toilet bowl.
- Once the water is hot (but again, not boiling), slowly pour it into the toilet bowl.
- Let the dish soap and hot water sit in the bowl for at least 5 minutes before you try to flush it. You want to give it enough time to work its magic.
- Auger or Plumbing Snake – For those stubborn clogs, a plumbing auger or plumbing snake from any home improvement store can get deeper into the pipes to break up the blockage. Just insert it into the drain and twist to push through or pull out the clog.
- Call a Professional – If you’ve tried everything and the clog is still there, it might be time to call in a pro like Lebanon Plumbing & Drai We’ve got the right tools and know-how to sort out the problem quickly without causing more damage.
A clogged toilet can go from a small hassle to a major disaster in no time. The trick is to act quickly and tackle the problem before it affects other areas of your home. Keep in mind that professional plumbing services are just a call away, and they’re often the best way to keep your plumbing system running smoothly. Don’t wait until it turns into a bigger headache!
Call Lebanon Plumbing & Drain for all your plumbing scares at (513) 427-2443, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!