A blocked toilet is obvious when water fills the bowl instead of going down. Many people make the mistake of continually flushing in the hope that it goes down, but this can quickly cause it to overflow and create more mess. Calling a professional to fix the problem for you may save time, but the average cost is likely more than you may think. Checkatrade estimates a fee of £112.50, which includes the callout charge for a tradesperson and the cost to unclog the toilet.
That’s why many people turn to home remedies to quickly dislodge the blockage. Cling film and boiling water are popular DIY fixes, though Brian Toward, CEO of Wholesale Domestic, has a foolproof remedy he says won’t let you down.
Brian explained that a plunger is “usually the best option for unblocking a toilet without causing any accidental damage”. However, many people will know that this isn’t always effective.
A plunger may not work on a blocked toilet when the clog is too far down the drain or there is too much toilet paper filling the bowl.
The domestic expert urged people to try it before moving on to other remedies: “Make sure the plunger covers the bottom of the toilet bowl completely, then give it a few strong pumps.
“The suction should break up the blockage and get the water flowing freely again.”
If that fails, Brian suggests looking in your kitchen cupboard for some powerhouse ingredients that experts swear by. In fact, according to Checkatrade, they are often used by professionals on call-outs.
How to unblock a toilet without a plunger
Brian said: “If you don’t have a plunger to hand, you can use baking soda and vinegar.
“Pour a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl, then add two cups of white vinegar. Let it fizz for 30 minutes to an hour, then flush to check if it’s cleared.”
Plumbing experts noted that baking soda must go in before the vinegar, or the reaction will happen too quickly and may not clear your clog.
Slowly pouring in the vinegar is also important to avoid the toilet bowl overflowing as it interacts with the water and baking soda.
If the water level lowers, you will know if the toilet is starting to unclog, and you may notice bubbles coming up from the bottom of the toilet bowl.
These are sure-fire signs that the toilet can be flushed and hopefully, cleared.
Mr Rooter Plumbing explains that vinegar and baking soda are a “pressure and friction method for breaking up clogs.”
As the foam expands, it forms pressure which is sometimes enough to push the clog down the pipe.
Additionally, the fizzing reaction between vinegar and baking soda may help to break down the clog into smaller particles, making them easier to flush.