Are you bothered by the issue of a clogged toilet? The toilet drain pipe could be the potential culprit here. Let us find out how to clean a toilet drain pipe.
Clogged toilets could be a burdensome issue and might cause irrelevant inconveniences. Not only are clogged toilets unhygienic, but they also cause multiple mild-to-severe health concerns. Cleaning toilets and their drain pipes remains a crucial aspect of household cleaning.
Moreover, cleaned drain pipes allow optimal water flow and eliminate unpleasant odors too. If you also want to avoid the messy stuff in your bathroom, cleaning toilets and drain pipes is the foremost solution. So, should you call a professional for this or just learn how to clean a toilet drain pipe?
This comprehensive guide is outlined for readers looking for a solution to clean their toilet pipes. Jump to the following sections to learn more:
Why Do Clogs in Toilet Drain Pipe Occurs?
What’s in this article?
Before we start learning how to clean a toilet drain pipe, it is our sole responsibility to learn the potential issues of the clogs occurring. The better the understanding of the reason, the more effective a solution can be opted for. Having said that, the state of your clogged toilet is somehow dependent on the root causes.
It is better to pre-determine the potential issues so that you can get an insight into whether you need some advanced cleaning techniques or basic ones that will do the work. Besides the most obvious reasons, some lesser-known facts are also responsible for a blockage in the toilet drain pipes. Some uncertain reasons include:
1. Old Generation Toilets and Pipes:
With old-generation toilets and pipes, we simply mean that these systems are a little bit older than the present-day ones. These toilet systems have a low water pressure when flushed, requiring multiple flushes. Flushing all over several times causes clogs automatically.
Additionally, when the low-pressure flush has to drain out excessive water and toilet paper, it results in toilet drain clogs and debris stuck in the drain pipes. If avoided, they can become the reason for bad odors and ultimately require professional cleaning.
2. Excessive Toilet Paper Flushed:
Certain toilet paper types could be flushed into the toilet drain pipe, but not all. A restricted amount of toilet paper is allowed to be flushed through the toilet drain pipes. The toilet paper used widely is designed to ensure optimal drain outs, but when you put in an excessive amount of toilet paper, it will get back, causing blockages.
These papers, when combined with other residual particles, lead to poor smells and plumbing issues. They can even block the main sewer lines, so check for this issue regularly to eliminate bigger clogs.
3. Clogs in Sewer Lines:
Sometimes, the main culprit of clogged toilet drain pipes is your main sewer line. No matter whether the main sewer line is old or new, it might build up residual waste and also require optimal cleaning.
Your septic system is responsible for so much waste which when combined with the municipal drainage system, tends to develop multiple clogs. In severe cases, you might need a professional cleaner or plumber to deal with this issue.
4. Flushing Unacceptable Trash:
Not all the trash and toilet waste is acceptable to be flushed in the toilet drain pipe. However, many people avoid this and flush unacceptable trash into the toilets. These waste materials are not drained out properly and remain stuck in the pipelines deteriorating their conditions.
People often are confused about non-flushable items. Some major waste materials to avoid flushing are:
- Paper Towels
- Facial Towels
- Dental Floss
- Cotton Swabs
- Menstrual Products
5. Issues in Toilet Flappers
Toilet flappers are the essential parts that allow water to flush out. These are connected to the water tank which when don’t function optimally leads to low pressure in the flush. Poor flushing and weaker flappers do not allow the waste material to get flushed out.
The capacity of the toilet flappers could be increased when you adjust the connecting chain. Besides this, replacement is the only option for the toilet flappers that have deteriorated and are old. This is an inexpensive measure to take for the better upkeep of your toilet drain pipes.
Multiple Methods On How to Clean a Toilet Drain Pipe
Different people opt for different tricks and techniques when we look at how to clean a toilet drain pipe. It’s just determining which method is working best for your toilet and its drain pipe. In the following section, we will be showing you multiple methods that can be used for an optimistic cleaning.
As we have already learned not every toilet-related issue calls for a professional but you must have a thorough inspection of the condition. This will determine the best solution and the essential cleaning supplies and equipment. Let us first collect the tools and then learn the methods on how to clean a toilet drain pipe.
Foregathering the Important Tools
As we are discussing multiple methods, the requirements for the tools may also vary. Though we have outlined some major common necessities here, you can go through the methods to get a better understanding of those important tools.
1. Rubber Gloves:
As the toilet drain pipe is a contaminated area, no matter how clean you keep it, it tends to accumulate bacteria and other microorganisms. To keep yourself safe from these pathogens and microorganisms, you must consider having rubber gloves.
The gloves you choose must offer extreme protection and have superb grip. This will ensure control and protection simultaneously. When the gloves fit in your hand perfectly, they prevent cleansing solution spills. Despite wearing gloves, washing hands is suggested post-completion of the process.
2. Auger or Plumbing Snake:
The paramount tool in this list is the plumbing snake or simple auger. It will help in your optimal cleaning and unclogging the blockages from the drain pipes. It has a good length and coiled end to eliminate the potential clogs.
Using an auger needs a firm but gentle operation. The notable thing is ensuring smooth motion inside the drainage pipe. As soon you detect clogs, start making firm movements to clear clogs.
3. Buckets:
It is an optional requirement depending on your personal preferences. Buckets may be a great help to avoid any mess during the entire dislodging procedure. That being said, buckets when kept near your toilet, prevent spillage of waste material.
You may take more than a single bucket in handy so that there is a minimum waste. You will need to be strategic while aligning the buckets. In addition, it will also help in the optimal disposal of waste and residual elements. Washing it off is necessary when the task is completed.
4. Towels or Rags:
Rags and towels are helpful when talking about any accidental spill. Accidental spillages are quite obvious and common but addressing that issue beforehand is a wise move. Rags and dry towels can stop waste material from spreading all over the area. When done, simple cleaning is enough to discard debris from these towels.
5. Dust Mask:
Dust Mask is also worth considering essentiality that should not be overlooked. It will protect you from bad odors and smells from cleaning agents. A dust mask will act as a protection and not let you inhale any airborne particles.
There will be no breathing-related issues when you are choosing a mask with a filtration tendency. This will filter out the harmful particles and allow smooth and harmless breathing surroundings.
Now that we have gathered all the required supplies, it is time to delve into the different methods. There are several considerations with each method. You can go with the most preferable method mentioned here.
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Method 1: With the help of a plunger
In this list of methods on how to clean a toilet drain pipe, foremost is to clean the toilet drain pipe using a plunger. Now, you might be thinking about how to do it. You don’t need to worry about this as it is the most suitable and effective method known. Before using a toilet plunger, determine the best plunger for your toilet bowl.
Foremost, check the tank’s water level allowing a little water in the bowl as well. Do not flush or else the plunger will not be effective. Once this is done, take the cup plunger and set it on the hole ensuring minimal movement. After accurate placement of the plunger, start moving it hence and forth.
This must be done for no more than twenty seconds and after that opt for flushing. If the water flows down, then there is no clog left and your process is completed. In case, water retains and even comes out of the bowl, consider repetition or opting for other techniques.
Method 2: Use Vinegar with Baking Soda
People rely on baking soda and vinegar for their extensive cleaning properties. This can also go well with cleaning your toilet drain pipe. Being a straightforward technique, all you require is baking soda and vinegar in a similar quantity.
Go for pouring an entire cup of baking soda into the bowl and then allow it to sit. Once it is done, consider pouring another cup full of vinegar into it. When both these components are combined, they end up resulting in a foamy solution that could have a high pH.
Protect yourself from this solution and also ensure that it doesn’t come out. In case it is coming out, then spread a dry towel all around it so that it remains there only. After waiting for approximately five minutes, add warm water and flush it. Until now, the clogs and other debris would have been removed from the toilet drain pipe.
Method 3: Consider a Toilet Auger
If your toilet drain pipe is not cleaned using simple methods, then you can consider going for a tactical method. This method is carried out using a toilet auger. It is simple equipment accessible easily and even more operational. It is crucial to abide by the guidelines related to a specific model.
To initiate the process, clean the upper surface of the toilet bowl and then insert the auger inside the hole. Ensure that gloves are on to keep protection against spills and other debris. Keep inserting the auger until its rubbered part gets stuck over the hole.
Rotate the toilet auger very smoothly yet with firm hands to ensure that it reaches to blockage and breaks it. Much pressure needs to be neglected otherwise, it will cause harm to the toilet drain pipe. If you observe that the auger is rotating without any hassle then you may remove it from the hole.
This process requires patience irrespective of the time you are taking. This is essential to avoid overflow or splashes of waste components. Once you are done, flush it to make certain that the clogs are clear.
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Final Takeaways: How to Clean a Toilet Drain Pipe
Cleaning the toilet drain pipe might not be an exotic task, and you would avoid doing it on your own. Calling the professionals for declogging or cleaning the toilet drain pipe could be burdensome and might end up costing even more than expected. So, it is highly advisable to follow some straightforward steps on how to clean a toilet drain pipe.
Regular maintenance is the key to preventing clogs from forming but still, if they are formed, choosing a suitable method and technique to clean it will do the best for you. Incorporate some straightforward cleaning and maintenance tips and enjoy having an odorless, functional, and hygienic toilet.