Imagine that you’re a property owner looking forward to the big day your new tenants will be moving in. Upon your last walk-through, you discover a clogged toilet. How best to fix it?
Before calling a professional plumber and dealing with an unexpected expense as a result, the following is a list of ways for successfully unclogging a toilet on your own.
How to Unclog a Toilet with a Plunger
For minor issues, unclogging a toilet with a plunger is the most common, simple solution that should only take a few minutes. You’ll just need to follow some basic steps. You’ll need: rubber gloves, a toilet plunger, and water to fill the toilet bowl if necessary.
- First, make sure the water level covers the rim of a plunger cup. Add more water to the toilet bowl if needed.
- Second, force out the air from the plunger when drawing it into the toilet bowl.
Tip: place it under an angle so the plunger cup will fill up with as much water as possible. Be sure that the cup fills up around the whole toilet’s drain hole.
- Third, start working with the plunger. Push the plunger with both of your hands up and down with force. Be sure that the cup of a plunger does not open the drain hole while pumping. Push up and down five to seven times, then pull the cup up off to release the suction. Repeat this process as many times as needed to empty the bowl and clear the clog. Flush the toilet once more.
How to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger
There are a variety of ways to unclog a toilet without a plunger. Here we’ve listed only the most effective ones:
Hot water - one of the easiest methods to unclog a toilet without a plunger is pouring hot water down the drain. It will help to break down whatever is causing the clog. Warning! Do not use boiling water! The water should be hot, but not scalding.
Dish soap - Empty around ¼ cups of dish soap into the toilet bowl and wait five to ten minutes for the clog to move down the drain. Next, add some hot water and wait for about five minutes.
Toilet brush - when you have no other option, try using a toilet brush to clear a clog. The method is easy but unpleasant. Pump the toilet brush up and down into the drain as you would with a plunger. It’s not a perfect solution, but it might help to loosen a more simple clog.
How to Fix a Toilet That Keeps Clogging Up
Toilets that are regularly clogged can be stressful for tenants, as well as for landlords. If a toilet continually clogs, you need to understand the reason. Some issues which can cause clogging include:
- Non-flushable items (cotton swabs, tampons, diapers, hygienic pad, etc.)
- Use of too much toilet paper
- Toilet trap or vent clogs
- Sewer line clogs
Landlords should add a clause to their lease which outlines who is responsible for any clogs caused by improper use.
TenantCloud maintenance management allows you to assign work orders to a service professional. Access a multitude of professional plumbers who can help you deal with all of your plumbing needs!
Do not forget to wear rubber gloves before attempting plumping work, and be prepared for some messy situations!
Though some DIY projects are easy to complete, for others, there are repairs that require professional skills and specific equipment. If you’re unsure whether or not you can handle a maintenance request in your rental property, find a service professional in your area by posting a bid request.
Please note that the option is available for maintenance requests in a “new” status only.
Check out the Help Center article to get step by step instructions:
How can I find a service professional within the system?
Related:
Top 5 Plumbing Maintenance Issues Every Landlord Should Know
Cleaning the inside of the dishwasher by yourself. Tips for landlords.
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