Get rid of that clog.
A clogged toilet runs the risk of ruining a homeowner's day and racking up high repair costs. Household plumbing attached to septic systems requires less chemical intervention than those attached to city sewage systems. Caustic drain clearing products upset the delicate bacteria balance inside the septic tank. Less invasive and more natural alternatives tend to work just as quickly and efficiently. These simple techniques are easily mastered by even the most amateur home repairman. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Find the water shutoff on the back of the toilet. Use this shutoff if the toilet threatens to overflow at any time during the unclogging process.
2. Use the plunger to dislodge the clog. Press the plunger firmly into place before plunging to ensure a good seal.
3. Remove all water from the tank if the plunger fails to dislodge the clog. Wear gloves and move the water into a bucket. Wait to dump the water until after the clog dislodges.
4. Plunge the toilet again. Use the proper technique while plunging, by pushing the plunger into place firmly.
5. Try a mixture of one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar if the plunger doesn't work. Pour the baking soda into the toilet drain, and follow it with one cup of vinegar. Allow the mixture to fizz for five minutes.
6. Pour boiling water down the toilet drain. Use caution with hot water. Allow the hot water, baking soda and vinegar mixture to sit for 15 minutes in the drain.
7. Flush the toilet. Shut off the water immediately if the toilet seems ready to overflow.
8. Try a cup of washing soda followed by boiling water if the baking soda and vinegar fails. Allow the mixture to stay in the drain for 10 to 15 minutes before flushing.
9. Insert a Zip-It, a 20 inch length of barbed plastic, in the toilet drain to attempt to clear the clog if the previous methods fail. Twist the Zip-It in the drain for better success.
10. Call a plumber if the liquid agents or the Zip-It fail.
Tags: baking soda, baking soda vinegar, soda vinegar, toilet drain, Allow mixture, boiling water, dislodge clog
