Ways to Unclog a Toilet

A clogged toilet is a homeowner’s nightmare, but this terrible dream is a lot more common than you might like. Curious toddlers and unsuspecting adults alike can cause a blockage in the toilet, potentially leading to a flooded bathroom. Fortunately, your friends at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Tampa have a few tricks up the sleeve. We will help you avoid clogs with some crucial tips, and we are always ready to deliver toilet repair in the Tampa area. If your toilet is giving you more trouble than you can handle, then call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Tampa to speak with a live representative. Let’s arrange a trained plumber to take care of that clogged toilet repair today.

Avoid Clogs with These Tips

You wouldn’t have to cry about spilled milk, let alone clean it, if you are mindful of where you place the milk jug. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure, and we are here to share some preventative measures to avoiding toilet clogs.

First and foremost, you should not flush anything other than toilet paper, pee, and poo. That means you should trash everything else including wet wipes, paper towels, kitty litter, cotton balls, hygiene products, and so forth! We even advise against 3-ply toilet paper. You want toilet paper that is as biodegradable and water soluble as possible.

Secondly, keep the toilet lid closed! A lot of the times, a toddler or even a pet will toss something in the toilet. Simply shutting the lid can prevent these accidents.

The final tip we will mention is more of a myth buster of sorts. An old "water-saving" trick is to put a brick in the toilet tank. Do NOT do this. The brick will break down over time and send particles down the toilet, causing clogs. Plus, modern toilets have incredible water efficiency. Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Tampa to explore your toilet replacement options.

How to Unclog Your Toilet

If you notice the water level in the toilet bowl rise as you flush the toilet, then STOP trying to flush. This will only make matters worse unless you address the blockage first. Start by turning off the water supply valve behind the toilet. If you haven’t already, remove any rugs or items from around the toilet and grab a small bucket or bowl. Use this container to remove as much of the water from the toilet bowl as possible and pour it into the bathtub or shower drains.

Now that the water is turned off and there’s room to work, you can get started on unclogging. The most popular method is plunging. Grab your plunger and slowly lower it into the toilet, careful not to splash. Form a tight seal between the plunger and the toilet opening, then apply firm pressure before letting go. This pressure from the plunger should dislodge the item.

If the plunger is no good, then whip out the drain snake. Insert the head of the drain snake into the toilet and send it in, as it twists, until you feel it strike an obstruction. You want to push through the blockage and pull back out. Clean the drain snake and send it down a few times to clear out as much as possible.

Need Toilet Repair? We Can Help

If you need a trained plumber to take care of that clogged toilet repair, then call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Tampa. We are happy to schedule a convenient appointment or arrange an emergency toilet repair today.