Unclogging toilet myths abound, but should you pay them any attention? We assembled a panel of service experts to weigh in.
Don’t Try To Unclog Your Toilet These Ways
Updated on Oct. 01, 2024
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Can Drano Unclog a Toilet?
One of the most prevalent unclogging toilet myths — to which our experts nearly unanimously gave the thumbs-down — was the use of chemicals. Powers specifically said: “Don’t use Drano. It does not make contact with the actual clog, rather just sits in the toilet bowl.” Moinzadeh pointed out that harsh chemicals can damage your pipes and even cause injury if they splash back.
Besides the fact that Drano generates enough heat to damage the toilet pipes, Hudelson pointed out that it rarely works well because there’s too much water diluting everything. If you use a harsh drain cleaner like Drano, and it doesn’t work (which it probably won’t), you’ve created a hazard for the poor plumber who has to pull the toilet to remove the blockage.
- Pro tip: Even the Drano company advises against using Drano Clog Removers in toilets. It does, however, recommend a monthly application of Drano Max Build-Up Remover to prevent clogs from forming in the first place.
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Can Bleach Unclog a Toilet?
It’s a fairly common misconception that you can use bleach to unclog a drain, and that’s another of the toilet unclogging myths our experts shot down. Bleach is a great disinfectant, but it’s easy to confuse disinfectant ability with the ability to dissolve organic matter. In fact, the active ingredient in bleach — sodium hypochlorite — has very little ability to dissolve anything. It’s a good thing, too, because people actually put this stuff in swimming pools.
Ruggie pointed out another very important reason not to pour bleach down your toilet. Bleach reacts with other chemicals—especially ammonia—to release dangerous chlorine gas. And what do you think is a primary component of urine? You guessed it—ammonia. Forget about unclogging your toilet with bleach.
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Can Rid-X Unclog a Toilet?
Rid-X is a septic system treatment designed to clear large-scale clogs. It contains microorganisms that activate in contact with water and feed on organic matter, and it takes two to four days to clear a septic clog.
Powers maintains that no chemical agent should be used to unclog a toilet, but could you make an exception for Rid-X? The company itself says no on its website. However, like Drano Max Build-Up Remover, you can use it as a regular treatment to prevent clogs.
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Can Coca-Cola Unclog a Toilet?
This is one of those toilet unclogging myths that you really want to believe because it seems so simple. Coca-Cola contains food-grade phosphoric acid, and if you believe the myth that it can dissolve nails (in testing experiments, it failed to do so), you’d also believe it should be able to handle a toilet clog.
None of our experts weighed in on this possibility, but the chances are slim. Even if Coke could dissolve a nail, you’d have to keep replenishing it as the acid neutralizes. That would be difficult to do in a toilet. Moreover, the strength of the acid would be diminished by dilution with water. If you don’t mind waiting for hours or days for your toilet to unclog, you might try using Coke as an experiment, but more conventional methods would be faster.
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What About TikTok, Instagram and Other Social Media Hacks?
Ruggie cautioned against unclogging toilet myths you see on social media sites like TikTok: “A number of viral videos out there show people unclogging toilets using unconventional means such as negative air pressure reactions that trap expanding gasses in the S-trap to push out clogs. These methods may make for great videos, but they are potentially damaging to the toilet in ways that can’t be fixed easily.”
Drain specialist Wood adds: “We recommend avoiding using common ‘internet hacks’ found on online forums, such as mixing vinegar with drainage cleaners, pouring boiler water or flushing the toilet with high-pressure water. These quick-fix methods can cause further buildup in your pipework, or even corrode the pipework to cause leaks in your drainage system and exacerbate your plumbing worries.”
Hudelson adds: “Be careful of any metal objects touching the porcelain as they will likely scratch it. This includes coat hangers, unprotected snakes, flat snakes, rods, etc.”
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The Bottom Line
Now that you know what not to do, how should you clear a toilet clog? Check out the video below for advice, and if you don’t have any luck, call a plumber. As Kunz suggests, there may be deeper issues, such as roots growing in the sewer, a septic backup or a blocked vent, that need professional attention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asjgsHlDYGU]
About the Experts
- Nathan Hudelson is a master plumber who works at Schluter Plumbing in Cincinnati, OH.
- Melanie Powers is the CEO of Goodberlet Home Services, based in Chicago and with service outlets throughout Illinois.
- Yaeir Moinzadeh is an MHIC licensed contractor and the owner of Blue Rise Baltimore Roofing.
- Ian Wood is a plumbing and drainage specialist at Reactive Plumbing & Drainage Ltd. based in Wirral, UK.
- Matt Kunz is the president of Mr. Rooter Plumbing, a Neighborly company.
- Al Ruggie is the marketing director at ASAP Restoration LLC, based in Phoenix, AZ.
Sources
- Drano: What’s the Difference Between Drano Clog Removers and Drano Max Build-Up Remover?; 2024.
- Rid-X: Will Rid-X Unclog My Drains/Pipes/Toilet?; 2022.
- Josh Madison: “Will Coke Dissolve a Nail?” Experiment; 2003.
