Method One: The Manual Approach
You should only opt for this method if you know what is causing the blockage and think that you can remove it with your hands.
What you will need:
- Long rubber gloves or two strong plastic bags
- A strong black bag with no holes
- A wire coat hanger (optional)
- A basin of hot water
Step One: Don’t flush
Don’t be tempted to flush the toilet as this can make things even worse. Flushing allows the water to rise up, causing the toilet to overflow and covering your bathroom floor with dirty water. So, resist the urge to flush and try to remove the blockage first.
Step Two: Suit up and get stuck in
Put on your protective gear (gloves, old clothes and protective glasses if desired) and reach into the toilet bowl. Have a feel around for the blockage and see if you can loosen it with your hand. If you manage to dislodge it, great! Proceed to step four. If not, see step three.
Step Three: Reach for the coat hanger
Put on your protective gear (gloves, old clothes and protective glasses if desired) and reach into the toilet bowl. Have a feel around for the blockage and see if you can loosen it with your hand. If you manage to dislodge it, great! Proceed to step four. If not, see step three.
Step Four: Remove the blockage
Once you’ve successfully dislodged the blockage, you should dispose of it in the black bag. Be careful to avoid drips on your bathroom floor and make sure that the bag has no holes.
Step Five: Flush from a height
Now that you’ve disposed of the blockage, it’s time to check that the canal is totally clear. Take the basin of hot water and pour it from a height (around waist-level) into the toilet bowl, being careful not to splash or scald yourself. The gravity creates a more powerful flow of water than a normal flush and the hot water helps to dissolve any remains of the blockage. Avoid pouring boiling water into a cold, porcelain toilet bowl as this can result in cracks.