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As we’ve commented before, we know the sinking feeling in your stomach when you flush the toilet and realise the water in the bowl is going up instead of down. A blocked toilet is both embarrassing and can create a frustrating, time-consuming mess. But that feeling turns to sheer panic when you look around and realise that the bathroom is lacking the number-one tool for clearing a blocked toilet – a plunger. After a further check confirms that there are none of the usual alternatives such as a toilet snake (or even slow acting chemical drain cleaner), we may briefly consider taking up residence in the bathroom until the end of time to avoid embarrassment. However, we’re here to tell you this situation does not have to result in being trapped in a bathroom in shame for all of eternity. Over the years, we have discovered many tricks that may get you out of this situation. Here are a few examples of how to unblock a toilet without a plunger:

Warm Water

First, we want to strongly clarify that we are suggesting using warm water as opposed to hot or, worse yet, boiling water. Those who suggest using boiling water to not understand that the relatively thin porcelain the toilet and above ground piping are constructed of are extremely susceptible to cracking when exposed to high temperatures. Boiling water may also damage the sealing wax ring between the toilet and the drain. So while hot water may indeed help break up a blockage, the risk of a leaking toilet bowl and the permanent damage which could occur is not at all worth any possible results.

Instead, mix hot and cold water in a bucket, waterproof waste basket or whatever may be available and add it to the toilet bowl. Wait for 10 minutes, and then see if the water level has dropped considerably. If not, wait another 10 minutes – if the water level is not too high, consider adding more warm water. If there is no movement whatsoever in the water’s height, it’s likely the clog is still there, and you may want to try another technique before attempting to flush the toilet.

Liquid Soap/Shampoo

When considering how to unblock a toilet without a plunger, another technique is adding liquid soap. This works in the same way as warm water – namely breaking down the fats in waste, breaking the blockage apart. Diluted or weaker hand soap is unlikely to do the job; concentrated dish soap like Dawn is the best for this purpose. This may not always be available, but there is something else that often is – shampoo! Designed to break down and wash away oils and fats like soap, shampoo will often also do the job.

Liberally add soap or shampoo and then, similarly to the previous method, wait for 10-20 minutes, and if you see the water has gone down considerably, it should be safe to flush. If the initial level of water in the bowl is not too high, you can increase the likelihood of success by combining the warm water and the soap.

Baking Soda And Vinegar

This combination can also be successful when you are faced with figuring out how to unblock a toilet without a plunger. Less likely to be found in the bathroom, you may have to visit the kitchen to locate these natural chemicals (or if not at home, ask your hopefully discreet host where you can find them). Don’t be afraid to add the better part of a small box of baking soda to the toilet – then slowly add vinegar to avoid an extreme reaction. This method often works more quickly than others – and when the water does go down, simply flush to clear the blockage.

Experienced Plumbers Using Modern Techniques

While it is excellent to have these little-known techniques in your arsenal, they may not work on tougher blockages and are not effective against foreign objects such as rags, toys and the like. And after eventually acquiring and trying to use a plunger or snake to no avail, it may become clear that this is a toilet blockage that requires help from a professional.

For drain blockage and plumbing issues of all kinds in Sydney, Pipe Relining Solutions is here to help. With specialised equipment like high-pressure water jetting, we have the tools to clear the most stubborn of blocked drains. Before beginning any work, however, we use state-of-the-art methods like CCTV drain inspections to locate and ascertain the type of blockage. This saves you money, while ensuring a successful outcome. To solve your Sydney drain blockage issues, or simply keep your plumbing system in good repair, contact us today!