Will Toilet Unclog Itself?

Has your toilet ever clogged, and you had no plunger to unclog it?

Most likely, you asked yourself “will toilet unclog itself?” Most of the time, the answer is yes!

A clogged toilet will ultimately unclog itself over time. This is because most of the items that clog a toilet are water-soluble, and this implies that they will, at the end of the day, dissolve in the toilet water. When you give the item that is clogging your toilet enough time to break down, the force of a flush will be enough to clear the pipes.

This may sound simple and straightforward. Nonetheless, you have to keep in check several things before you allow the clogged toilet to sort itself out. You need to consider the following two factors before allowing your toilet to unclog itself:

1. What Caused the Clog?

Allowing your clogged toilet to unclog itself will only be a great alternative if the item causing the clog is an organic, degradable material. Typically, if you flush anything other than septic-safe toilet paper or human waste, the clogged toilet will not unclog itself.

Many commonly-flushed items are not meant to be flushed down the toilet. These include flushable wipes, feminine hygiene products, and diapers. These items are non-degradable and hence may cause a clog in your toilet. Additionally, they can back up your septic system, which is a situation you would not want to happen.

If any of these items cause your toilet to clog, then it is time to purchase a plunger.

Also, different toilet brands and models could take care of clogs in different ways. As a result, based on the toilet you are dealing with, you could be better off or have worse luck letting your toilet unclog itself.

2. How Big is the Clog?

Before leaving your toilet to unclog itself, you also need to consider how big the clog is. If the toilet backs up and begins to drain slowly, then you could be having a partial clog. This type of clog is the most stress-free to clear and the most likely to unclog itself.

If you are wondering how much time to wait before your toilet unclogs itself, 30 minutes to an hour should be sufficient to liquefy the clog. On the flip side, if you have the time to wait longer, then wait since the more time it has to dissolve, the better.

If the clog is severe to the extent that your toilet is not draining at all, it is less likely that the toilet will unclog by itself. In this case, it is recommended that you grab a plunger and begin fixing your toilet as soon as possible. Nonetheless, if you do not have a plunger and you really need to unclog your toilet, then continue reading since, in the next section, I list some great ways to lunge without a plunger.

How Long Does It Take for a Toilet to Unclog Itself?

If you are guessing how long to wait before your toilet unclogs itself, I would suggest you wait for an hour for the clog to liquefy. On the other hand, if you have time to wait longer, the better since the more time the clog has to dissolve, the better.

How to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

You can unclog your clogged toilet without using a plunger in the following three methods:

1. DIY Plumbing Snake

If the clog in your toilet is too big for your toilet brush to clear out, then coming up with your own plumbing snake by making use of a clothes hanger can be a big relief.

A plumbing snake is a long wire that plumbers put through the drains in order to break up the clogs. You can unfold a clothes hanger and move it through your toilet drain. Once you notice any resistance, you try to work the hanger around it in order to break up the clog.

If you choose to go ahead with this method, it is advisable that you use a plastic-coated wire hanger or bend the end of a wire hanger because the sharp metal on the end of a wire hanger could scratch the porcelain of your toilet.

2. Toilet Brush

A toilet brush may not be as effective as a plunger, but it can still get done the same task of unclogging your toilet.

A plunger operates by pushing water through your toilet plumbing system with a lot more pressure than a normal flush would give—this aids in dislodging the clog and allows water to flow freely.

Subsequently, even though the toilet brush might not be able to drive as much water through the pipes with as much pressure as a plunger would, it can still produce enough pressure to get out of the small clogs.

3. Dish Soap

Go to your kitchen and grab some dish soap. These slipper soap will lubricate the clogged pipe and cause any lodged debris to slide down more easily. Pour around a half-cup into the toilet.

If you are out of dish soap, you can chop a bar of hand soap into small chunks and drop them into the toilet.

4. Baking Soda Mixture

Another option for using dish soap and no plunger is an all-natural solution: Baking soda mixture.

Pour two cups of vinegar and one cup of baking soda down the toilet. Give it half an hour to fizz. If the clog does not dissipate, try the hot water trick that is discussed next.

5. Hot Water

If all the above methods fail to unclog your toilet, pouring some hot water down the drain could help dissolve the clog.

Avoid using boiling water since the shock from it may cause your toilet to crack. Instead, get some hot tap water from the sink or your shower, and this should work out fine.

As soon as you have your hot water ready, pour it right inside the toilet. If the toilet is draining slowly or not at all, be careful since it may overflow and cause a mess.

You can try a combination of these methods in case the clog is still persistent.

Reasons Why Your Toilet Gets Clogged

There are many reasons why your toilet could clog on frequent occasions. The need to identify common causes is the best way of making sure the problems are solved. Here are some of them:

1. Too Little Water in the Tank

Pressure is needed when ejecting any waste going out of the toilet. Therefore, the tank of the toilet might need sufficient water for it to generate sufficient pressure to push the waste through the drainage system.

2. A Clogged Drain Line

Your toilet can clog due to regular waste and paper items being pushed into it. Paper, hair, waste, and foreign objects can clog your toilet.

3. Hard Water Problems

Home-owners are often not well vast of what hard and soft water is, and this may lead to difficulties with your system. Hard water may calcify to form white stuff that is difficult to get rid of from your toilet.

4. Older Pipework

Old and failing pipes can cause your toilet to clog. The primary sign that older pipework could be causing your toilet to clog is sediment backwash. Nonetheless, if your toilet drains sluggishly, it could be a sign of larger problems. Over time, this can be expensive, and it is a sign you need an expert to help you out.

5. Slow Septics

Systems that are delaying or slow-moving septic systems which are not turning over rapidly enough can cause your toilet to clog. A good septic system is important for ideal and stable drainage flow.