Did you face a toilet overflowing issue? It is terrible, and the problem must be fixed as soon as possible. Most of the time, an overflowing issue occurs with a clogged toilet. So, you must unclog the toilet by applying the proper techniques, including using a plunger, toilet auger, or toilet snake or by applying some ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, hot water, Drano Max, etc.
But have you ever imagined that your toilet could unclog automatically? Some people will say it is impossible, particularly for toilet users who face a terrible situation with their toilet clogging and overflowing.
How long does it take for the toilet to unclog itself?
Yes, in some cases, a toilet can unclog itself after a significant amount of time. When the clogged items in the toilet are not hard objects, it does not take a long time to be unclogged.
If the toilet gets clogged from using excessive tissue paper, it may take 30-50 minutes to unclog automatically by dissolving in water. If it is a hard object like soap, wipes, food, etc., it may take overnight to dissolve and remove the clog. But when the toilet is clogged by plastic, cloth, or metal objects, it won’t unclog automatically over time.
There are mainly two features of the clog that are related to the answer. The first is why the clog occurred, and the second is how serious the clog is.
How long does the toilet paper take to be unclogged?
A small amount of toilet paper is easy to remove from the toilet pipe. Moreover, there are some toilet papers called Scott rapid-dissolving toilet papers. They are dissolved in water more quickly than regular papers. These papers are suitable for use in airplanes and train toilets because their pipes are narrow and likely to clog the papers. So, if you use the Scott rapid-dissolving toilet paper at your home toilet, you should not wait any longer; instead, it will be dissolved immediately.
On the other hand, the available toilet paper that we use takes about an hour to dissolve. So, your toilet will be unclogged again after one hour because the toilet papers have the ability to be gradually melted in water within this time. But if you use a huge amount of toilet paper at a time, the toilet will not be unclogged quickly.
How does a toilet get clogged?
There are several reasons why toilets clog. Diapers, dental floss, retainer, feminine products, toilet paper, cotton balls, etc., can clog the toilet if they enter the toilet pipe.
Some elements are water-soluble, like toilet paper. They can be easily removed after waiting for some time. When they gradually melt with water and are removed from the toilet, the toilet can be unclogged.
But some other elements are not soluble in water. Baby diapers, feminine products, torn clothes, animal bones, etc., cannot go through the toilet pipe easily. If they are in a huge amount and they clog the toilet, you must use a plunger or a toilet snake to remove them.
Sometimes, a water-soluble material may not be easily unclogged if it is in a huge amount. On the other hand, if the clogging is in a smaller amount, it can be unclogged soon with the force of the water flow of every flushing.
What can I do when a toilet clogs?
Almost every homeowner must deal with toilet clogging issues. Those who face this terrible problem know well how unpleasant the situation is. When you flush the toilet to remove debris, but the toilet water overflows and comes back to you, you should take immediate steps to get the best solution. Generally, there are three things to do with a clogged toilet.
Step 01: Wait for unclogging
First, you can wait for an hour or even a day to observe whether the toilet is unclogged. Stuck tissue papers or poop, which can be dissolved in water, can be removed within a single day.
But, when the force of the water does not automatically unclog the toilet, we must take other measures to unclog it. There are several ways.
Step 02: Use the toilet snake or auger
A toilet auger, plunger, or toilet snake is the most commonly used element for unclogging a toilet. Significantly, a large toilet snake can remove the garbage from a clogged toilet pipe.
You should put the toilet snake into the toilet pipe through the commode. Now, turn the toilet snake both clockwise and anticlockwise. Then, you can take the toilet snake outside of the toilet and flush the toilet for cleaning.
Step 03: Use a toilet brush
A toilet brush can not be as effective as a toilet snake. But you can use it as an alternative to the toilet snake. When you want to remove the garbage from the clogged toilet inside, you should enter the toilet brush through the toilet pipe. Now, twist the brush forcefully and try to break the garbage inside. Finally, flush the toilet.
Step 04: Hot water
Sometimes hot water can be very impressive in toilet cleaning and removing garbage from a clogged toilet inside. It is the easiest way to unclog a toilet. Take a bucket of hot water and throw it inside the toilet surface. However, removing the clog with hot water may be difficult if there is a large amount of hard debris. In this situation, you should use a toilet auger.
Final step if nothing works: Call a plumber
Toilet unclogging is not a difficult task. But sometimes the clog becomes very hard, and so it is difficult to unclog. In this situation, you can call a plumber to unclog your toilet.
A plumber knows almost every technique for cleaning the toilet pipe insides and unclogging the entire toilet. So, if you fail this task, you can trust the plumber, but the plumber should be efficient in his work.
What can I do if I mistakenly flush something down the toilet?
There are several small but valuable things that can fall down the toilet. Smartphones, wristwatches, money bags, etc., are examples of them. If the items fall out of your hand and are not flushed, you can wear a pair of gloves and rescue them from the toilet water. Although the water becomes dirty after throwing poop there, there is no way to get the valuable smartphone or other things back.
On the other hand, if you mistakenly flush the money bag or smartphone, you must call a plumber, disassemble the toilet, and take them out quickly.
When a toilet unclogs itself, it’s a piece of good news for toilet users because it saves time, money, and labor.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can flushing repeatedly help unclog a toilet?
- Repeated flushing can sometimes worsen the clog or cause overflow. It’s usually not recommended.
- What household items can help unclog a toilet?
- A plunger is the most effective. In absence of that, hot water and dish soap or baking soda and vinegar can sometimes help.
- How do you use a plunger correctly to unclog a toilet?
- Place the plunger over the hole, ensure a good seal, and push and pull without breaking the seal. Repeat several times.
- Is it safe to use chemicals to unclog a toilet?
- Chemical drain cleaners can be used, but they’re harsh and can damage pipes. Use them as a last resort and follow instructions carefully.
- What should you do if DIY methods don’t work?
- If home remedies fail, it’s wise to call a professional plumber to avoid damaging the toilet or pipes.
- How can you prevent toilet clogs?
- Avoid flushing non-degradable items, use less toilet paper, and consider regular maintenance cleaning.
- Are certain toilets more prone to clogging?
- Low-flow toilets can clog more easily due to less water force, but proper use and maintenance typically prevent issues.
- What are the signs of a severely clogged toilet?
- Water rising instead of draining, gurgling sounds, and water backing up in other drains are signs of a serious clog.
- Can a clogged toilet cause leaks?
- Persistent clogs can lead to increased pressure in the pipes, potentially causing leaks.
- Is it normal for a toilet to occasionally clog?
- Occasional clogs can happen, especially with older toilets or in homes with many users, but frequent clogs might indicate a bigger issue.
Hi, I am Jose S. Franz. Currently, I am working as a professional plumber, and our team offers various plumbing services at an affordable price. After my college education, I completed a vocational certification course in plumbing systems and worked with several construction companies. Since then, I have fixed lots of different toilet models, from older to the latest versions. So I have more than 22 years of experience installing plumbing systems and toilets in both residential and commercial buildings.
