Clogged toilets are something that everyone hates — especially when there is poop involved. What’s more annoying is the fact that toilets get clogged when you need them the most. Not only that but asking somebody for help can be really embarrassing. Imagine calling up your best friend to ask how to remove poop from the toilet drain — not the best evening conversation.
Preconceptions aside, you don’t need to worry about being made fun of, as this kind of clog is pretty common. What you should do instead is to try and fix it fast — left unchecked, a clog can damage the pipe. While not a pleasant task, you must be brave and attempt to fix it.
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Where to Start?
If this is your first clog you might have no clue what to do next. Most importantly — don’t panic! Usually, poop clogs are close to the surface and, as a result, are easy to fix. There are some cases in which the clog is further down the drain, but that’s not so common. Follow all the advice below and your toilet will be poop free in no time!
Firstly, you should prepare your bathroom for unclogging. Bring any towels, newspapers, and perhaps some old clothing — removing clogs can get messy. Also, equip yourself with gloves and, if you are squeamish, a mask. Moreover, if you have a ventilation system, now would be the perfect time to start it up so it can remove some of the smell.
Clog Removing Methods
There are many DIY clog removing techniques out there, depending on the type of clog. For your situation, you can consider poop a small to medium clog. Maybe you already know some of the upcoming tips, but there might still be something new waiting for you.
Toilet Brush
Every bathroom should have a toilet brush nearby and if yours doesn’t — go shopping! While you might be used to cleaning the toilet bowl with it, a toilet brush can also remove small clogs. It’s a simple but effective technique — press the poop using the brush and then flush — that’s it!
Tip: You can cover your brush with a bag for more pushing power, emulating a plunger. If you are not sure how to do that, check out this tutorial.
However, don’t push too hard or you might find yourself coming in close contact with toilet water. Just push lightly at first and then gradually go faster and deeper. If this doesn’t work, it means that you are dealing with an already problematic drain and you should try other solutions.
The Best Toilet Brush
You don’t have any toilet brush or just want to upgrade your old one? Look no further than mDesign’s Toilet Brush. This sturdy-bristled brush can unclog most blocks without the worry of damaging the pipe. The easy to deposit and stylish design make this brush a classy-looking bathroom accessory.
Plunger
A plunger is another common household object that you need to have around the bathroom. While most plungers can do this job, it’s better to have a wide enough tool to create a vacuum in the toilet opening. Also, avoid using cheap plungers as they might do more harm than good.
Tip: Before you start attacking the toilet you should first warm up the plunger by running it under some warm water. Doing this will increase the suction power of the tool.
Now that you are set, start by placing the plunger into the toilet opening and begin pushing slowly. Gradually increase the speed and continue pulling until you see the water draining. Finally, pull up harder so the clog dislodges. When you see waste rising up in the bowl, give it another flush.
By now, there should be no more poop and the water should be looking good. If you still have problems, flush some more but watch the water levels closely. In case the water drains slower than usual, repeat the procedure.
The Best Plunger
Looking for the best plunger so you can make your bathroom a clog-free zone? You should give the Neiko Heavy Duty plunger a try. Its fit-all construction makes sure that there is no toilet too wide or too tight. The heavy-duty rubber cup is durable and can take some serious damage. Neiko Heavy Duty is the best plunger you can use in case of a major poop clog.
Hanger
In the unlikely case that you don’t have a plunger, you can instead use a cloth hanger. You should however avoid using a full metal cloth hanger and should instead opt for one coated with plastic. Before you start, unwind the hanger using some pliers.
The way to use it is pretty simple — place one end of the wire in your toilet and move up and down, just as you would with a plunger. After you are done unclogging, flush the toilet a few times to drain the water.
Plumbing Snake
While it’s more of a professional solution, using a small plumbing snake can help you get rid of all poop clogs. A plumbing snake is a long flexible auger that plumbers use to dislodge blocks in the drain. You should check your garage or toolbox, as you might already have one without knowing.
Using such a tool is similar to the hanger method. You place it inside the toilet and start moving forward while spinning the snake. When you feel like the snake is not going further, start pulling it out. If you did it right, you should see the water levels going back to normal. Flush the toilet a few times and you are good to go.
Tip: Don’t use a snake that’s too big for your toilet as you might break the pipe system. Follow the tutorial provided by DrainBrain to get an idea of what kind of snake you should be using.
The Best Plumbing Snake
If you want to use all the tools professionals have, buy yourself a plumbing snake and say goodbye to future clogs. The best product out there is the DrainX Auger Pro — due to its affordable price and amazing design. Moreover, the included gloves are a great way to protect your hands. The instructions provided will help any newcomer, as DrainX Auger Pro is the best beginner snake on the market.
Hot Water
Moving into the improvisation territory, we have an effective but more time-consuming method. The goal of using hot water is to soften up the debris and eventually dissolve it. This method works best when combined with a plunger or toilet brush, as you can more easily push and pull the poop after softening.
As the name suggests, you need hot water. You can either warm some if you have the time, or you can use the showerhead. All you need to do is pour the water into the toilet, let it sit for 5 minutes, and then pour some more. Afterward, you can flush and see if it worked. While this is mostly a hands-free method, you still need to be careful so you don’t burn yourself.
Tip: You can add some soap, shampoo, or detergent into the mix as that will help with stubborn poop clogs.
Coca-Cola
Yes, you read that right, you can use Coca-Cola to unclog the toilet. It’s common knowledge that coke, like other carbonated drinks, is highly corrosive. You can use that fact to your advantage by pouring half a gallon of coke down the toilet. Let it sit overnight and then flush the toilet early in the morning.
Tip: Don’t add mentos to the mix as the reaction might clog the toilet more, creating a poop-filled foam.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Another time-consuming but easy unclogging solution is to use baking soda and vinegar. Mixing them has a similar result to the Coca-Cola method. The goal is for the fizzy reaction to dislodge the poop so you can flush it away.
Before you start, heat up some water or use the shower to get some. Pour two cups of vinegar and one cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl. Use some hot water to mix them and then let it stand overnight.
You can further upgrade this method using a simple plastic wrap. Just pour some warm (not hot) water into the toilet and add baking soda. Then quickly cover the opening using some plastic wrap. Wait for an hour and then flush the toilet. If you don’t see any change, try flushing a bit more.
Chemicals
One of the most effective ways to remove a clog — of any kind — is to use special compounds. Most commercial cleaners are strong enough to remove poop and most medium clogs. However, you should keep in mind that it takes a bit of time before they start working.
To use such a chemical is rather easy — just pour it into the toilet, wait for 10-15 minutes depending on the product and then flush. It’s that easy! You can even repeat this process a couple of times to remove harder clogs.
Tip: Be sure to wear protective gloves because some chemicals can burn your hands if handled incorrectly.
Although they are a simple solution, you must use chemicals scarcely as they are highly corrosive. Using them more often than needed can lead to damaged pipes. Be sure to use only chemical drain cleaners made for toilets and always read the instructions before using them.
The Best Unclogging Chemical
If everything else fails and you want to choose chemicals, you need to be careful about what you buy. The safest and easiest to use product is without a doubt Green Gobbler’s Drain Opening PAC’S. Fast and powerful, yet environmentally friendly, the Drain PAC’S are a modern wonder. Just open one and pour it in the toilet, it’s that simple to get rid of poop clogs.
Bringing the Big Guns: Plumbers
Although a poop clog is one of the easiest to clean, there might be more waste further down the drain. If every previous method fails, it’s time to call your local plumber. It takes more time and is much more expensive than any DIY technique but sometimes you don’t have a choice.
It may be an awkward situation to tell your plumber that poop is blocking the drain. Don’t let that bring you down, as it’s more than likely not his first feces rodeo. Furthermore, a professional might find more problems with your drain that you wouldn’t know about yet. It’s always better to be embarrassed for a few minutes than having to replace all your plumbing later on.
Tips For Avoiding Clogs
Sometimes a poop clog might actually be the result of an already almost clogged pipe. It’s good to keep your drains clean — use some of the following tips to avoid further clogs:
- Clean your toilet — never let any dirt deposit onto the bowl as it could clog the drain later on
- Avoid flushing hygiene products — they will end up clogging your toilet in no time
- Stop flushing tissues or paper towels — instead, try switching to a garbage bin
- Have regular drain inspections — call a plumber once in a while to take a look at your pipes and clean up any debris
- Don’t use bleach — it’s dangerous and most likely won’t dissolve the waste blocking the drain
The Bottom Line
Overall, when it comes to poop clogs, simple methods such as hot water and plungers should do the job just fine. However, if you feel overwhelmed and think that nothing works, it’s better to stop and call the professionals. You might end up doing more damage to your toilet if you keep trying with homemade solutions that don’t work.
In the end, it’s safe to say that poop clogs are a nasty business, but don’t beat yourself up over them. Remember — what is now an embarrassing moment will soon become a funny story to share. Remain calm, follow the tips, and your toilet will be able to breathe freely in no time!
