How to clean a blockage in the toilet: a comparison of the best methods and equipment

A clogged toilet is an unpleasant situation that requires urgent intervention. To find out how to clean the blockage in the toilet, you need to establish the cause of its formation. This may be due to the formation of a cork from dirt and debris or water quality.

We will talk about effective ways to eliminate congestion in the most popular form of plumbing. In our article, we describe in detail the chemical compositions and mechanical measures used in the fight against traffic jams and persistent sediment. Here you will learn how to carry out prophylaxis against such troubles.

How to determine the location of the cork?

The buildup of residues on the walls of the pipes makes the passage of water difficult. Soon, the drain becomes clogged and forms a cork, thereby causing blockage. To establish the place of formation of the cork, you can use the proven method. Try opening the faucet in the kitchen and bathroom at the same time.

If the water leaves as usual, then the problem lies in the toilet. In the case when in the bathroom and in the kitchen liquid is difficult to maintain, this indicates problems with the pipe.

As soon as you find a clogged toilet, do not rush to drain the water from the tank. You should know that its volume is more than 3 liters. Better to just turn off the tap. This action will protect you from water leakage to the floor.

For convenience, it is recommended to use an ordinary bucket. Fill it with a small amount of water (approximately 1 liter) and gradually pour it into the toilet. if water does not flow, the cork is thoroughly seated.

One of the main reasons for the formation of plugs of plumbing fixtures is improper operation.Often, residents of the house themselves can flush various objects and food debris into the toilet, hoping that they quietly pass into the drain hole.

Place as many rags as possible around the toilet to prevent water from leaking onto the floor. They absorb liquid well, so the toilet coating will not suffer

Let's look at some tips that can help prevent this from happening:

1. If you are thinking about changing pipes, you must select samples of identical size.
2. In case of repair work, the toilet lid must be lowered to prevent debris, dirt and other waste from entering it.
3. Do not flush objects such as cat litter, coarse paper, or other types of debris that may form a cork. Thus, you will extend the life of the plumbing fixture and save good money on replacing the toilet.

Use these simple tips to avoid problems with cleaning plumbing. Adhering to clear operating rules, you will forget about such a problem as the fight against blockage for a long time:

Methods for cleaning the toilet with folk remedies

There are times when special chemicals are not at hand to deal with cork. In this situation, ordinary detergents and substances that any housewife will find in the kitchen will help.

You can use ordinary baking soda or concentrated vinegar. Consider ways to remove debris and dirt with these two ingredients.

There are several options sewer pipe cleaning using ordinary baking soda. We will consider several interpretations, so you can choose a more suitable option.

The first proven method

For the convenience of pointing the solution, you should take a bucket with a capacity of 8-10 liters. It is necessary to pour half a pack of baking soda into the previously drawn water (volume of 5 l) and stir. The resulting solution should be poured into the toilet and wait about 3 hours. Soda, once in the pipe, will begin to corrode fatty formations, thereby stopping the cork and freeing the passage.

Use baking soda as a reliable way to get rid of mild toilet blockages and obstruction problems in sewer pipes.

Second proven method

This is the most convenient option. You don’t have to mix the ingredients in a separate container beforehand.

Following simple rules and following the instructions, you will quickly get rid of traffic jams:

1. Half a pack of ordinary baking soda should be emptied into the toilet.
2. Take a bottle of concentrated vinegar and pour it there.
3. Close the drain hole and wait about two hours.
4. After a certain amount of time, pour hot water into the plumbing fixture and wait again.

After completing this procedure, the resulting debris and dirt should go away. Use caution with vinegar.

Third Proven Method

For the best effect, this scheme should be applied at night. In this embodiment, salt is used instead of vinegar.The composition of the mixture is as follows:

1. A small amount (1 cup) of soda in equal proportions is mixed with salt.
2. This mixture is sent to the toilet.
3. A few minutes later, pour about 1 liter of boiling water and leave for 8 hours.

By morning, the dirt causing the cork should to leave. In case of mild blockages, these options will help you on your own, without the help of a plumber to cope with the cork.

Using substances such as baking soda, salt, vinegar or more concentrated acetic acid can effectively break through cork

If after using soda and salt the situation has not improved, you should call a specialist. It is possible that it’s not the toilet itself, but in sewer pipes of a private house, therefore, in order not to aggravate the situation, use the services of a qualified plumber.

Chemical Remedies for Clogging

There are a large number of different chemicals to eliminate traffic jams of varying complexity. The modern market is filled with all kinds of gels, liquids, powders of foreign and domestic manufacturers.

The composition of such products includes alkalis, acids and other chemical elements that effectively corrode dirt. We will consider the most famous brands and choose the most affordable drugs by efficiency and budget.

Drug No. 1 Sanoks

Highly effective means of "softened action". Suitable for cleaning all types of plastic and metal pipes and is notable for the fact that it does not have a strong unpleasant odor. Moreover, its price is low. It copes well with cleaning old pipes and does not destroy them from the inside.

A universal preparation for cleaning sewer pipes and a toilet bowl, which you can purchase at any household chemistry store

But Sanox with all the pros has some drawbacks. The first and main minus is that it acts slowly, the waiting period can last several hours. The second disadvantage is its inefficiency against severe blockages.

The composition is more suitable for prevention and for odor control in the bathroom. Even provided that you exceed the dose and use the product in large quantities, this will not improve the situation. Therefore, with a strong formation of dirt, you need to use a more concentrated chemical product.

The drug number 2 "Bio Favorite"

It is a good tool to eliminate traffic jams, although the direct purpose of this powder is different. It is used to decompose various waste and garbage. It is more expedient to use this option when cleaning cesspools, country toilets and septic tanks.

When buying a tool in the store to eliminate cork formations, consult with the seller. He will pick you a chemical product that does not harm the pipes and existing plumbing.

As practice shows, the bioactivator effectively and quickly eliminates sewage blockages of varying complexity. This budget option appealed to customers.

Preparation No. 3 “Biostructure Vantuz”

This is not the most budget option, on average, the cost of a pack is about 500 rubles. But buyers assure that the drug acts instantly, so overpayment in this case is appropriate.

Despite the fact that Vantuz is a chemical agent, it has several advantages compared to other mixtures of similar composition:

• It does not harm human health when used, even if you act without gloves.
• Can quickly deal with various types of blockages.
• It does not have a sharp chemical smell.
• It can and should be used as a preventative measure against traffic jams.

The advantage of the Biostructure in the absence of toxic substances that adversely affect human health and well-being. It eliminates blockages in a "natural" way. The composition of the drug includes organic bio-bacteria that do not harm the pipes and gently destroy salts.

The fast-acting remedy for blockages of the Vantuz brand is safe for earthenware and porcelain plumbing, does not harm enamel coatings and all types of plumbing pipes

Preparation No. 4 "Mole"

It also reliably relieves traffic jams. You may come across several varieties of the drug, as it is available in both powder and gel form. At the same time, the price of the second is much higher.

If you buy the drug in liquid form, then its concentration may be higher than that of the powder, therefore, before using it, you need to familiarize yourself with the instructions in detail, as it may differ.

In addition, the chemical composition of the product is very vigorous and aggressive. When using rubber gloves should be worn so that the liquid does not cause burns or cracks.

"Mole" is recommended to be used only with severe blockages of plumbing, as it has a very concentrated composition. Special protection required

It is important to know that some products of the brand “Mole” cannot be used for plastic pipes, since the alkali that is part of it can corrode them. Before making a purchase, carefully read the label.

Preparation No. 5 "Mr. Muscle"

The main advantage of the product is instant action. If the blockage is not strong, then it will cope in literally minutes. This reaction is associated with a high content of alkali and acid in the composition of the drug. Chemical elements recognize accumulations of dirt and debris and begin to corrode them.

If the cork has hardened, then the action of Mr. Muscle may slow down. In this case, you have to wait a few hours, only then you will notice the result.

The drug is available in the form of a gel and powder, so read the instructions on the package in advance, as the method of application may vary slightly. If you bought a powder, then one package should be enough to eliminate only one blockage. The price of a pack will be about 110 rubles.

Drug No. 6 Deboucher

Intensive means for cleaning sewer pipes and eliminating plugs is recommended to be poured into a plumbing fixture for several hours. Although in practice, if the blockage is not serious, it will begin to act after 10-15 minutes.

In addition to alkali, the composition of the drug includes such an element as chlorine. In addition to cleaning the blockage, the product disinfects well, and, despite the chlorine content, does not have a pungent odor. When using, it is recommended to pour the drug into the toilet for several minutes and wait a bit.

Deboucher - a proven tool in dealing with traffic jams caused by improper operation of the apartment owners themselves, who do not know the rules for using plumbing

Still, there are some disadvantages of this drug. Firstly, to effectively remove dirt, you need to pour a considerable amount of liquid (about 0.5 l), that is, it will not work to call this an economical option. Although the price of a bottle is not high, around 150 rubles.

The second significant drawback of the drug can be called a restriction in use.Due to its high chlorine content, it should not be used for plastic pipes.

All the rules for the selection and use of a chemical agent to eliminate blockages in the sewer system given here.

Rules for the use of household chemicals

Using daily household chemicals, we rarely think about their harmful effects on the human body. The instructions included with the drugs are ignored.

We recommend that you follow the general rules for using household chemicals:

• To carry out cleaning work in rubber, latex gloves (or use a special protective cream), in order to avoid burns and allergic consequences.
• Before carrying out work to eliminate blockages in the sewage system, you need to make sure that the chemical product is the right one (will it damage the integrity of the plastic and metal pipes).
• An increase in the volume and concentration of a chemical reagent does not always help to solve the problem with blockage. In this case, it makes sense to use another tool.

After a certain period of time recommended for eliminating plugs in the pipe, you should thoroughly flush the product from the toilet.

Reliable means to prevent toilet blockages from famous manufacturers who will quickly cope with prevention, as well as the formation of traffic jams of any complexity

It should be remembered! Do not use non-special chemicals, such as formic, sulfuric or hydrochloric acids. They will not only remove the blockage, but also spoil the pipes (and then provoke an emergency situation with a leak).

Mechanical methods for eliminating plugs

Now there are a large number of various ways to clean plumbing. How successful and effective the cleaning will depend on several components: the causes of clogging, its volume and time.

Before you start the procedure blockage removal, you need to get rid of the water in the toilet. To pump water, you can use various devices, for example, sponges, unnecessary rags, etc.

It should be remembered that:

• If a blockage has occurred recently and the main reason for this was some object, you can, after putting on rubber gloves, try to remove it from there.
• In case of failure, you must try to get the thing with a special curved wire with a bent hook at the end.
• Use the proven method to get rid of clogging with a plunger. To do this, you will need to close the drain hole with a rubber holder, while doing a few swaps to get rid of the cork.

These simple tips will help you make the right choice. Having understood the degree of garbage accumulation, you can pick up the necessary equipment.

If you have little experience, we recommend that you use the services of a seller. Turning to the store staff with your problem, you will receive a full consultation. Experts will offer the best tool for getting rid of cork.

Plunger - an effective cleaning tool

There are a lot of varieties of plungers, therefore, in order to quickly get rid of clogging, you need to choose a device that is suitable for your case. If you have a small plug, that is, water just slowly leaves, you should purchase a regular plunger.

When selecting a plunger, it is recommended to choose a model where the diameter of the rubber tip will be slightly larger than the size of the toilet drain

If the budget allows you, you can buy a pneumatic plunger. The advantages of such devices are that they are universal and therefore suitable for most models of modern toilets.

In addition, they are made of shockproof plastic. This is a wear-resistant material that will last you more than one year. Compact design and ergonomics are the main advantages of such products.

The pneumatic plunger quickly copes with blockages, and it is very convenient to use it. The kit includes various nozzles that remove any kind of contamination. It has the appearance of a hand pump and is equipped with a special rubber hose, which also sinks into the toilet.

When you turn on the keys, the hose begins to rotate inside the pipe, thereby picking up debris and pushing out the cork.

You can also use an aeration plunger for cleaning. It is needed to adjust the air in the system to prevent debris and dirt from appearing in the pipes and toilet.

Cables with different tips

In difficult cases, you may need a special cable for cleaning sewer pipes. This simple tool, an indispensable tool for any type of plumbing, which is very easy to use.

A cable is a device in the form of a metal “snake” that is lowered into a pipe. The materials from which this device is made can be different: from metal with strict weaving, ending with plastic in a rough braid. For each type of special tips are sold that effectively eliminate plugs in the toilet.

How to choose a plumbing cable for removing plugs in the toilet is described in detail in featured article.

When choosing a plumbing cable, you should use the service of a sales consultant to help you choose a model that is convenient for use

Professionals and plumbers prefer the classic types of cables with a metal tip.They are guided by the fact that this design allows deep penetration into pipes and well push garbage.

The undeniable advantage of a plumbing cable is its flexibility combined with its durability. Such cables are used for cleaning metal pipes of various diameters and sizes.

The elimination of congestion in the toilet using a cable is as follows:

If you are trusted more durable cables, then they are made of alloy steel. Such products have certain advantages. Firstly, they are stronger and more reliable, they allow you to clean not only old sewer pipes, but also modern plastic ones.

Now there is a large selection of different cables for cleaning the toilet and sewer pipes, so when buying, you should be guided by the material of manufacture, the shape of the handle and the set of nozzles

If blockages are a constant problem for you that you are tired of dealing with chemicals, think about buying such a device. Now in the plumbing shops you can buy various nozzles for metal cables, which efficiently and quickly push garbage into the main pipe. The most common types of nozzles are hook, brush, and spiral.

Choose a nozzle based on the type of cork. For example, if you realized that the reason for the formation of obstruction of the toilet in the subject that got into it, use the hook. This nozzle will pry off a rag accidentally in the toilet, after which you will quickly remove it. At the same time, you will do everything yourself and save your budget.

Bottle as an original cleaning method

Surely few have heard of such a method of dealing with traffic jams as the use of an ordinary plastic bottle. This is a great option when there is no plunger or plumbing cable at hand. It is not difficult to get rid of the blockage, it is enough to carefully read the features of this method.

Use a regular plastic beer or lemonade bottle if you don’t have a plunger or cable for cleaning

You will need a plastic bottle with a volume of 1.5-2.5 liters. Without unwinding, the cork must be cut off the bottom of the bottle. Turn the bottle over and drop it into the toilet with the place where the cut bottom is.

Then we quickly immerse the bottom in water and with sharp movements we turn it several times so that a vacuum plug is formed. If successful, you will get rid of dirt and debris by pushing the cork further to the riser.

All the subtleties of the process of punching a mash and cleaning the toilet bowl with a bottle are given in this article. We recommend that you read the instructions in the non-manual.

Preventive measures against blockages

To permanently forget about such a problem as blockages in the toilet, you should follow some simple rules:

• Use the toilet for its intended purpose. Do not throw garbage and various objects into it that could clog the sewer pipe and form a cork.
• Flush the plumbing fixture once a month with special chemical meansthat prevent the growth of sediment.
• When installing the toilet, do not forget to turn to experienced plumbers for help, who, by all rules, will be able to quickly and carefully install.
• If you are faced with a choice of pipes, get smooth plastic products inside.

Do not forget that you need to take care not only of the plumbing and the drains connected to it, but also behind sewer pipes. It is easier and more beneficial for the system to carry out regular preventive maintenance than to remove congestion. By following these simple tips, you can prevent clogging.

If you still could not avoid the trouble, try to cope with it yourself or call the plumbing.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

From these videos you will receive useful information on how to get rid of a clogged toilet. Check out some of the nuances of work to do everything quickly and accurately.

Video # 1. Demonstration of unusual ways to punch mash in the toilet:

Video: Prevention for a washing machine

Video # 2. Instructions for cleaning the toilet with a plastic bottle:

When carrying out plumbing, you need to be careful not to aggravate the situation, so pay attention to the degree of clogging. If you can’t cope on your own, call a plumber who will quickly set up your toilet.

Do you have in your arsenal only the well-known original way to eliminate blockage in the toilet? Want to share secrets or ask a question? Please write comments in the block below.