So, my toilet's been acting up lately... water rising way too high, draining super slow, the whole annoying deal. I've tried the usual plunger routine, but honestly, it's not really cutting it this time. I'm kinda hesitant to pour random chemicals down there, you know, don't wanna mess things up worse. Anyone got a good DIY trick or product recommendation that's worked for them?
"I'm kinda hesitant to pour random chemicals down there, you know, don't wanna mess things up worse."
Totally get that—been there myself. Last time my toilet pulled this stunt, I poured a generous scoop of baking soda down, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let it fizz for about 20 mins, then flushed with hot (not boiling!) water. Worked like a charm, and bonus points for eco-friendliness.
Worked like a charm, and bonus points for eco-friendliness.
Yeah, I wouldn't mess with harsh chemicals either—seen too many pipes get damaged that way. Baking soda and vinegar usually do the trick, but if not, a good ol' plunger and some patience usually sorts it out.
Yeah, baking soda and vinegar are solid go-tos, but sometimes a stubborn clog just laughs at that combo. Had one last month at my aunt's place—tried everything gentle first, didn't budge. Ended up carefully using a toilet auger (those snake things), and it finally cleared. Just gotta be cautious with those too, though...seen some scratched porcelain from folks getting a bit too enthusiastic, haha. Patience and gentle pressure usually win the day.
Baking soda and vinegar can help, but honestly, they're pretty hit-or-miss with tough clogs. A toilet auger is usually my go-to as well—good call on being careful with the porcelain. Couple quick points from experience:
- If you're using an auger, start slow and gentle. Don't force it if you feel resistance; back off slightly and try again.
- Hot water (not boiling, just hot tap water) poured from waist height can sometimes loosen things up enough to make plunging easier.
- Avoid chemical drain cleaners entirely. They rarely work on serious toilet clogs and can damage pipes or seals.
- If the clog keeps coming back, you might have a bigger issue further down the line—roots, buildup, or something else. Might be worth checking the cleanout or calling someone in if it persists.
Had a tenant once who flushed baby wipes regularly... nightmare clog that took forever to clear. Learned my lesson about clearly communicating what's flushable and what's not, haha.
