A clogged toilet can be a major inconvenience for guests at any hotel. The best way to quickly fix a clogged toilet is with a plunger. What if there is no plunger available? Well, in this case, you need to be innovative and use other means to fix the clogged hotel toilet. We have put together the two best methods that will come in handy in a situation like this.
Why Do Hotel Toilets Get Clogged Easily?
Hotel toilets are designed to handle a lot of flushing. They’re built with a trap (the S-shaped structure beneath the toilet) that’s deep enough to ensure no foreign object blocks the plumbing system. Even with this safety feature, it’s still common to come across a clogged hotel toilet.
Here are a few reasons why hotel toilets get clogged easily:
Misuse of the Toilet
The leading reason why hotel toilets get clogged is because of improper use. Improper use is often unintentional, but it can still create problems. The following are some common ways people misuse hotel toilets:
Using too much toilet paper: Toilet papers can be easily flushed down a toilet, but they can also cause clogs. If you use too much toilet paper, it will be hard for the paper to dissolve quickly and easily. This will cause a clog as both bathroom, and human waste will get stuck in the toilet pipes.
Not flushing the toilet after use: It is important for hotel guests to flush the toilet after using it. Not flushing the toilet after every use will cause an overload of human waste and toilet paper in the pipes and the toilet bowl. With time, it will be difficult for the toilet water pressure to flush all the waste down, causing a clog.
Flushing things that should not be flushed: Another misuse of toilets is when guests flush things that should not be flushed down the toilet. Examples of common items hotel guests flush down the toilet include wet wipes, condoms, sanitary napkins, cigarette butts, tampons, and even diapers. These items do not dissolve in water like toilet paper, making them hard to flush down the toilet.
Older Toilets
An older toilet is also another reason why hotel toilets get clogged easily. The older the toilet is, the more likely it is to use a different flushing system than newer models.
Older toilets built in the mid-’90s are low flow and use less water. They were designed to conserve water and reduce the amount of wastewater flowing into the sewer system.
The problem with these toilets is that they don’t have high water pressure, so they have a hard time flushing everything down the drain, often causing clogs.
Do Hotels Charge You for Clogging the Toilet
So, do hotels charge for clogged toilets? The short answer is yes, but it also depends on the hotel’s policies.
Most hotels will charge you for a clogged toilet if you are the cause of the clog. These hotels maintain their facilities well and are likely to know if a toilet has a blockage problem even before check-in. So, if you cause a clog in a toilet, the hotel will charge you for it.
If you did not cause the clogging, then you won’t be charged. Some hotels will even waive the fee if they cannot determine who caused the issue.
Some hotels won’t charge you for a clogged toilet, regardless of the cause. These kinds of hotels assume the fee you pay to spend the night in their hotel includes the price of maintenance. So, they will fix a toilet for free if you clog it.
Ask at check-in if you are unsure of the hotel’s policy regarding toilet clogging. In general, it is better to be safe than sorry, and hotel management is always ready to bring you up to speed with their policies.
How Do You Unblock a Hotel Toilet Without a Plunger?
Although it is rare, you might find yourself with a clogged hotel toilet while staying at a hotel. Unblocking the toilet can be a real hassle, especially if you don’t have a plunger nearby.
But don’t worry—there are some simple ways you can use right in your hotel room’s bathroom to get things flowing again. We will use items already in the hotel room since they are easily accessible.
Here are two best immediate options for unblocking a clogged hotel toilet without a plunger:
1. Use Liquid Soap and Hot Water
One of the most effective ways to unclog a toilet is by pouring liquid soap and hot water down into the bowl. The combination will create a foaming action that can dissolve whatever is clogging your toilet.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
– Add dish soap to the toilet and let it soak for 25-40minutes: Pour the liquid soap directly into the clogged toilet bowl and let it sink for 25 to 40 minutes. The purpose of the soap is to make the toilet pipes slippery so that the clog can move more easily. As the clog loosens up, the water level will start going down. Do not use shampoos or bar soaps because they contain fats and could potentially add to the clog.
– Pour hot water of about 4L into the toilet bowl: Use hot water from the shower or bath faucet. Pour the water into the toilet slowly, directly over the drain. This will help push any clog down. The combination of hot water and soap may loosen the clog, so your toilet will flush again. Only pour hot water into the toilet bowl if it will not overflow.
– Flush the toilet to see if the clog will drain: Flush your toilet and see if the clog will disappear completely. If the clog is gone, then the process has been successful. If the clog is still there, then you will need to seek help from the hotel management.
2. The Wire Hunger Technique
Try the wire hunger method if the first method does not help unclog the toilet. This involves unwinding a wire hunger present in the room and using it to unclog the toilet.
● Unwind the wire present in your room and place one end inside the toilet bowl.
● Push the wire past the clog and poke several times to loosen up the clog.
● Try flushing the toilet again and see if the clog has gone. If the hotel toilet won’t flush, repeat the process until you can fully remove the clog.
Another variation of the wire hunger method is to tie a piece of cloth rag at the end of the wire and poke the rag into the toilet. This will help dislodge large clogs that are present in the bowl.
Ensure the piece of cloth is tightly wrapped around the wire so that it does not fall off inside the toilet and contribute to the clog.
Do Hotels Have Plungers?
Yes. Hotels usually have plungers for guests to use in case of a clogged toilet. However, you won’t find them in the bathroom.
Instead, the plunger is usually stored away from the hotel room for several reasons, including:
Maintain a good impression: Plungers are commonly associated with a messy job. Their sight in a room often sends the wrong message about the cleanliness of the room. Guests would get the idea that the hotel toilet is dirty and poorly maintained, therefore likely to clog.
Costly: It is costly to have plungers in every toilet at the hotel. For an item that is not regularly used and can be used only in an emergency, the cost of having plungers in every room isn’t worth it.
Theft: From time to time, hotels have reported guests leaving with their items. Plungers are not one of the most frequently stolen items in hotels, but they can still be stolen. Hotels prefer storing the plungers away and only making them available when needed to avoid such losses.
Avoid injury: If stored carelessly, plungers can cause injury to hotel guests and staff. The most common injuries are accidental injuries when someone trips over the plunger and falls.
Ask Help From a Professional With Stubborn Hotel Toilet Clogs
There are situations when a clogged hotel toilet can be a big problem. This can happen if the plunger or other methods don’t work.
Calling a professional is necessary when it comes to how to unclog a toilet when nothing works. The professional will be able to provide the right solution for your hotel toilet clog. However, you should first report the issue to the hotel management.
The hotel management will contact a plumber on your behalf and charge you if their policies allow them to.
If you clog a hotel toilet, it is important to act quickly. If you don’t, the issue may worsen and cause more problems. It is also important to use the right tools when attempting to unclog your toilet.
