Every homeowner will have to deal with a clogged toilet at some point. While it’s not a pleasant task, there are a few steps you can take to fix it yourself before calling for professional help. The plumbing repair experts Chugach Sewer and Drain of Anchorage, AK, have four recommendations that will get your bathroom back to normal.

1. Use a Plunger

This common household tool creates suction in your pipes, drawing clogs out. Keep a flat one in the kitchen and a tapered one in the bathroom, so you’re prepared for an emergency. The shape of each plunger is designed to fit over the opening of the sink or toilet drain to create an effective seal.

2. Try Liquid Solutions

If a plunger doesn’t do the trick, it may be time to move on to a liquid drain cleaner. Although there are several powerful products on the market, many of them contain harsh chemicals that can damage your pipes with repeated use. For a gentler approach, try breaking the clog by pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain. You can also add baking soda and white vinegar to create a foam that will help flush the blockage.

3. Find a Snake

Even professional plumbers use this tool to remove clogs. The flexible wire can slide past obstacles and help you get things moving again. Just like plungers, there is one snake designed for use in sink drains and another designed for toilets. Make sure you have the right one for your at-home plumbing repair.

4. Call the Professionals

Some pipe blockages are too stubborn to handle on your own. If you can’t do it yourself, don’t hesitate to call a plumber. It’s better to have a plumbing repair job done quickly and correctly than risk causing damage to your pipes and fixtures.

Clogged toilets can be frustrating, but a little help from the professionals can resolve the problem. Chugach Sewer and Drain provides reliable service to customers all over Alaska. More details about their plumbing repair and drain cleaning services are available online. For 24-hour assistance, call (907) 929-5072.