How to Fix a Clogged Toilet When You Do Not Have a Plunger

Toilet clogs are the worst. And they seem to always happen at the worst times, like when you are already running late for your dinner reservation, or when the pizza delivery shows up at your door and you have 5 hangry mouths to feed. To make matters even worse, you can’t find your plunger! Fortunately, there are several easy and effective ways to unclog a toilet without using a plunger, and they can all be done within a few minutes’ time.

Continue below to learn some of the top-recommended methods of fixing a clogged toilet when there is no plunger in sight. All of these methods require common household items you are sure to have on hand!

Toilet Plumbing Repair Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870
Toilet Plumbing Repair Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870

Unclog a Toilet Without Using a Plunger

Hot Water

If you have a sink or bathtub that provides on-demand hot water, this could be your first, go-to weapon against a clogged toilet. Simply fill up a pan or pot with heated water, but not boiling. Then just dump the hot water down your toilet bowl. Wait 3 to 5 minutes to see of the clog begins to release on its own. If so, flush the toilet once or twice to move the process along. If this does not work, try out some of these other methods!

Toilet Fizz

Not only can you use a simply solution of baking soda and distilled white vinegar to unclog a toilet, but you can also take it step further and make your own toilet bomb. Like a bath bomb, toilet bombs explode into a fizzy frenzy when dropped in water. Their bubbling action and cleansing ingredients work well against toilet clogs.

Be prepared, these methods will cause the toilet to overflow more if it is already filled to the brim. Place a towel below to catch any runoff. To use the basic combo, pour 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl. Wait 30 minutes and then pour a pot of hot water down the toilet bowl. Give it a flush or two and the clog should be gone!

If you want to make a homemade fizzy toilet bomb, combine 1 cup of baking soda, ¼ cup of citric acid, and 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap into a bowl. Then pack the paste-like mixture into an empty ice cube tray and let it dry for 2 hours. Store them in an air-sealed container or mason jar. To use, just drop one into your toilet bowl, wait 30 minutes, then finish with a hot water pour.

Liquid Dish Soap

If you have liquid dish soap in the house, you could potentially have a secret weapon for fixing toilet clogs. Just pour a generous amount of it inside your toilet bowl (about a fourth of a cup), allow it to sit for 10 minutes, then finish with a hot water pour. After a few flushes, the soap should work as an effective lubricant, allowing the clog to release and flow down.

Wire Hanger

Mommy Dearest would allow you to use a wire hanger for toilet clogs! Just find one that is thin enough for you to bend into a hook. Use it like you would a drain snake or auger, pushing it into the bowl to looses any obstructions. Repeat and flush as needed!

Are you having some serious toilet problems that require some professional attention? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for plumbing repair and service for toilets and bathrooms in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients.

Related Posts:

How to Tighten Up a Toilet Lever That is Loose
4 Causes of a Slow Flushing Toilet
Why Choose a Toto Toilet for Toilet Replacement in Indiana

Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870
Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870

How to Fix a Running Toilet Handle

Your toilet never seems to give you trouble. And then out of nowhere, the handle refuses to pop back into the position after a flush, causing your tank to run endlessly until you manually move the handle back into place. If you are suffering from this mind-numbing bathroom problem, continue reading to learn what you can do to fix it and prevent it from happening again.

Indianapolis Toilet Repair Plumber 317-784-1870
Indianapolis Toilet Repair Plumber 317-784-1870

Fixing a Stuck Toilet Handle

There are a few different reasons why your toilet handle is sticking, and thus, causing your toilet to run and run until moved back into place. You see, the handle is attached to a lever assembly, which is attached to a wire or chain inside the tank. This lever and chain is attached to a flapper, or flush ball, which basically acts as a drain stopper. This setup springs a handle back into position after a flush.

But sometimes, this chain or wire connected to the lever assembly can get tangled or caught on another component, causing the toilet handle to stick. Now that you understand what may be causing your stubborn toilet handle problems, you are better equipped to fix it all on your own. Fortunately, it only takes a few simple adjustments to undo the jam.

Here’s What You Will Need:

☑ Rubber Gloves

Unless you don’t mind sticking your hands into the back of your toilet tank, it is recommended to don some cleaning gloves. But don’t worry too much; toilet tank water is actually very clean.

☑ Fingers

You will likely be touching, grasping, and moving around some components inside the tank, so be prepared to use your fingers to do the job.

How to Start:

⇰ First, look behind your toilet and shut off the toilet water supply valve by turning the handle clockwise.

⇰ Next, don your gloves and remove the tank lid from the back of your toilet.

⇰ Now flush your toilet.

⇰ Once the toilet is flushed, press the handle down a few times to observe the mechanical operation of all the moving components in the tank. This can tell you where the hang up is coming from. Watch the movement of the handle, lever, chain or wire, and the flapper.

⇰ If the float and connecting rod are in the way of the lever assembly, including the chain or wire, move it in another direction to stop the obstruction.

⇰ If you see a kink or snag in the chain, release it and set it straight.

⇰ Turn on your toilet water supply and flush your toilet to ensure smooth operation.

If You are Still Having Plumbing Issues…

When your toilet needs service, you need a state-licensed master plumber. Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for professional master plumbing service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to give you free plumbing advice. Our highly trained and licensed plumbers provide a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services; and as a family owned and operated company since 1901, you can trust us to deliver outstanding workmanship and customer support. Request a free estimate, today.