The Do’s and Don’ts of Unclogging Your Toilet
Need some hacks for tackling a clogged toilet? The average household toilet uses about 25 – 30% of the total water usage, so you’re likely anxious to get it up and working again fast. Before calling your plumber, try out some of these techniques. By starting simple and avoiding any reckless or hasty attempts to remedy the situation, you’ll be able to tackle your clogged drain in no time. Check out some do’s and don’ts below.
What To Do
Before doing anything crazy, try plunging. Your plunger was designed for this job specifically, so utilizing it correctly may be the only thing you need to do to get your toilet back to normal. Still not making any progress? Take a break. Once ten or fifteen minutes have gone by, give the plunger another try before turning to alternative methods.
Using a snake is another great approach towards clearing up clogs. As it winds its way down your drain it breaks up the jammed debris, making it easier to drain. Take it slow and be careful. If you do it right, the clog should be removed in no time.
No matter which method you try, be sure you protect yourself. Wear gloves and goggles to keep any waste off of your skin and out of your eyes. Also, keep the toilet lid closed between attempts to avoid anything else falling into the toilet and making the clog even worse.
If every attempt has failed, and you don’t want to risk messing up your plumbing system, then don’t be afraid to call in your plumber. Sometimes, when more serious action is required, the best bet is to leave it to a professional. You’ll have to pay a fee, sure, but it’s well worth it if you avoid causing expensive damage to your plumbing system.
What Not To Do
Like we said, plumbing repair work is always something you’ll want to avoid, so don’t do anything that might cause damage to your pipes. Trying to tackle the job quickly and without taking proper precautions could land in an even bigger mess than you were in before.
Also, if you ask your plumbing company, they will recommend you don’t use chemicals, as they are not good for your system and they rarely work as well as advertised. They usually take quite a long time to get the job done, and they tend to cost more than they are worth. You’re always better off taking a more natural approach when it comes to de-clogging.
Indoor plumbing has been around for quite some time. In fact, it dates back all the way to 2500 B.C.! Clearly, a working toilet is and has been a priority for homeowners for hundreds of years, so do your best to keep yours working smoothly. Don’t be afraid to call your plumber for advice today.
