We have all encountered that horrible moment when the water in the bowl starts rising and you are at someone else’s house! Clogging your host’s toilet can be awkward, to say the least. But there may be a way out of this embarrassing situation if you follow a few simple steps.
Stop Panicking
Panic has never unclogged a toilet, so you might as well not waste your time doing it. Inhale, exhale and calmly assess the problem.
Stop Flushing
Flushing a clogged toilet will not unclog it. In fact, reflushing will only make the problem worse by causing the toilet water to overflow – and you definitely do not want that to happen.
Turn Off the Toilet’s Water Valve
You’ll find this at the bottom of the toilet coming out of the wall. Turn it to the right as far as you can.
Look for a Plunger
Most bathroom have a plunger behind the toilet or under the sink.
Use the Plunger
Apply the plunger to the bottom of the toilet bowl and make certain that it is sealed tight around the hole. Begin forcefully plunging in an up and down motion. Be sure that the seal on the bottom of the toilet bowl remains in tact. Do this quickly and repetitively for about 30 seconds and check to see if water is beginning to drain out.
Turn the Water Valve Back On
If the water is beginning to drain, the clog has been cleared. Simply turn the water valve back to the left to turn the water back on. Wait for the tank to fill, then flush. Rinse off the plunger with clean water, put it back in its place and pretend this never happened!
What to Do if You Don’t Have a Plunger
Now you can panic (just kidding). Take a deep breath and remember that most of us have had this happen to us at some point. If you have your phone with you, try texting your host and asking for a plunger – then follow the steps above. If not, close the toilet lid and the bathroom door, locate your host and discreetly ask for a plunger so that you can fix the problem.
If these DIY tips don’t solve the problem, or if you’re having ongoing issues with clogged toilets, don’t hesitate to call West Coast Sanitation at (951) 780-5922 right away. We have professionals ready to answer your questions and get your system working properly again.