How to unclog a toilet using baking soda

Unclog your toilet with bicarb

Toilet clogging is a significant problem in many residential and commercial properties. You might have experienced the same on your property. Even if you are yet to face this problem, it is always important to know how to get rid of a clog in case it happens. Your toilet is prone to clogging because of its frequent use and the amount of waste that goes down the drain.

There are different methods of unclogging your toilet, commonly plunging. Another way that you can unclog your toilet is by using baking soda. This article looks at how you can unclog your toilet with baking soda. However, before looking at that, let’s look at the reasons that could result in your toilet clogging.

Major causes of clogged toilets

To know the method that works perfectly to unclog your toilet, you need to know the leading causes of the problem in your home or business. Clogged toilets can result from some of the following issues.

Flushing excess toilet paper

Although toilet paper usually dissolves fast, the process does not occur instantly. Large pieces of toilet paper can lead to blocks that get trapped in the toilet trap. Thus, flushing excess toilet paper can also lead to a clogged toilet.

Non-flushable materials

Non-flushable materials can cause toilet blockages. Some non-flushable materials that can cause clogging include scrub pads, stray hair, feminine hygiene products, or diapers. Therefore, you should ensure that you only flush human faeces, flushable wipes, and toilet paper down your drain.

Plumbing vent problems

A plumbing vent gets rid of odours and gases from your home or business. The vent also lets in fresh air to allow water to flow every time you flush. The vents are collected for each toilet in your residential or commercial property. At times, debris or dirt from outside your property can block the vent line leading to frequent toilet clogging.

Worn out pipes

Your pipes are prone to cracking, breaking, or getting crushed for several reasons. Some of the reasons include wear and tear, corrosion, heavy rain, sudden temperature changes, and more. When the pipes crack or break, the toilet drain slows down, leading to clogging.

Why is baking soda effective?

Baking soda, also commonly known as sodium bicarbonate, is one of the most effective products for unclogging toilets. It has the ability to dislodge the clogs and is one of the methods that has proven true over time. Baking soda is a widely used ingredient in most natural drain cleaners.

Baking soda is slightly alkaline. Therefore, it is a base that dissolves easily in liquids. Its pH balance offers a lot of benefits, and it helps dissolve oils naturally. Baking soda has the ability to remove grease from any smooth surface it gets into contact with. Therefore, it works effectively on the smooth toilet porcelain material.

Baking soda also performs an excellent work of deodorising drain smells. It brings alkaline and acidic molecules into an odourless state. It also results in a severe chemical reaction with most acidic compounds. This feature makes it an effective product for unclogging your toilet.

Whenever you add an acid such as vinegar, baking soda emits carbon dioxide gas. This results in a volcanic fizzing reaction that helps remove the toilet clogs. This happens because carbon dioxide helps in building pressure. The mixture builds pressure slowly, plus the fizzing action usually breaks the clog apart.

Unclogging the toilet with baking soda

The best trick to apply when using baking soda to unclog your toilet is working slowly and using the correct amount of ingredients. You should never overload the fixtures; it could result in more significant problems. Note that when you add a cup of vinegar, a fizzing reaction occurs. When dealing with stubborn toilet clogs, you should use the smallest amount of baking soda possible. Below are simple steps you can use when unclogging your toilet with baking soda.

Step one: Determine the extent of the clog

First, determine the magnitude of the clog. How you handle the problem is determined by the clog’s severity. You can deal with slight clogs efficiently and swiftly. However, big clogs need more work. The main goal is to use baking soda cumulatively and do the job slowly to get the best results.

Step two: Add baking soda

Measure a cup of the product and pour it into the toilet bowl. Allow the powder to settle at the bottom of your toilet and wait for some minutes.

Step three: Pour boiling water into the toilet bowl

After putting baking soda into your toilet bowl, add a kettle of boiling water to your toilet. The heat from the boiling water helps to create extra pressure that helps unclog your toilet. The hot water also helps to dissolve the clog. Listen to the sound produced by the moving water.

You might also hear a slight suction. When you hear these sounds, it means that the clog is moving. Now flush the toilet to find out if the toilet is back to its normal functioning.

NOTE: Only pour the boiling water if the water in your toilet bowl is still low. If the water level is high, you could end up overflowing the toilet. In this case, move on with the following procedures.

Step four: Add vinegar into the toilet

A combination of baking soda and vinegar can help unclog your toilet. You can now pour two cups of vinegar into your toilet. The vinegar causes an instant fizzing reaction. This creates pressure and helps in dissolving the clog. Again, ensure that you do not overflow the toilet; you should pour in the vinegar slowly and then give it a few minutes for the fizzing to reduce before you can add more.

Step five: Wait

Now, you can wait for about two hours to allow the baking soda and vinegar to react and eliminate the clog. If possible, you can give the mixture a whole night to respond effectively.

Step six: Flush the toilet

After giving the mixture enough time to do its job, you can now flush the toilet. The force produced by the water from the tank provides the clog with the final push it requires to go past the trap.

Step seven: Repeat the process if necessary

At times, it can take several tries to eliminate the clog from your toilet. If the clog still stands after allowing the vinegar and baking soda to soak, you can repeat the process twice. This process is safe for your toilet, so you have peace of mind when using it. The main goal should be to weaken the clog so that it can flow down the trap and waste pipe. Repeating the process repeatedly will help get rid of even the most stubborn toilet clog.

When should you contact a plumber?

If you try all the above steps and the toilet clogs still remain, you need to call a professional plumber for help. Moreover, if you unclog the toilet but still get the toilet clogged again after a few days, this is a sign of a bigger problem. You need to call a professional plumber to help diagnose the problem and offer a more long-lasting solution.

The plumbers have the skills and knowledge of how the plumbing system operates and diagnose the exact problem leading to the toilet clogging. They can also counsel you on the best practices to prevent frequent toilet clogging on your property.