How to Fix a Clogged Toilet in a Hurry

Let's face it: when it comes to your bathroom, you don't always have a lot of time to get things done. Emergencies in your bathroom can seem especially high-priority if you've got a quick water leak and need to get something flowing again before your entire room is flooded. If that's the case, you'll want to learn some bathroom basics - and how to handle them in a hurry. Here's how to fix your clogged toilet quickly.

First, if we can assume that you need to plunge a toilet in a hurry, we can also assume that your toilet is probably filling up. It's time to get the plunger quickly. Usually, you'd want to get the plunger after you add some water to the toilet, as plungers work best when the plunger head is also submerged in water. The good news is that during a serious backing up of your toilet, you'll have plenty of water to work with already. (That, of course, is also the bad news.)

This means that you should simply grab the plunger and get to unclogging right away - no waiting for the "right conditions" - just get to work! Next, you'll start plunging by pumping the toilet in rapid succession. Even if you splash some water around on the ground, don't worry. The water can be dried up, but you'll want to get the clog fixed as soon as possible.

A key element in this equation will be the plunger itself. If you don't have a very good plunger under the bathroom sink, you probably won't be able to unclog a toilet quite as quickly. Don't go for the "cute" plungers that look better than the big, clunky ones - you want a big, clunky one. These ones will be able to cover the entire drain in your toilet and move the most water possible, making each pump of the plunger more powerful. It will be difficult to clean out your clogged toilet in a rush if you're using a small, plastic plunger.

It's important that if you need to get your toilet unclogged quickly, you do it right the first time. Make sure that the plunger covers the entire drain of the toilet, as this seal will help to create the force you want. If it takes a couple of extra seconds to make sure you have the plunger on right, that's okay. Those extra seconds will mean that your plunger will be that much more effective when you do start pumping.

After a "bathroom emergency" like unclogging a toilet, you might find yourself amused at how rushed you felt. But if you know how to unclog a toilet the right way, you should feel perfectly relaxed, a true Unclogging Master.

Photo Credits: Two Big Paws

This post involves:

bad news, bathroom basics, clogged toilet, element, emergencies, entire room, high priority, hurry, plunger, quick water, rapid succession, rush, water leak

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Bathroom, Handyman, How to Fix, toilet

Posted by Fix Handyman on September 1, 2009 in Bathroom, Handyman, How to Fix, toilet. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.