Emilie Meyer
Draining a toilet pan can be a messy job, but it is a simple process that can be done by anyone. There are several methods to drain a toilet, depending on the type of toilet and the tools available. This can be done by turning off the water supply, flushing the toilet, and using a sponge to mop up the remaining water, or by using a plunger to force the water out of the bowl. Other methods include scooping the water out with a small cup or bowl, siphoning the water out with a hose, or using a wet-dry vac.
How to empty water from a toilet pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools required | Sponge, plunger, small cup or bowl, scoop, small hose, bucket, rubber gloves, wet-dry vac |
| Steps | 1. Turn off the water supply. 2. Flush the toilet. 3. Mop up the remaining water with a sponge. 4. If the toilet is clogged, plunge with an up-and-down motion. 5. If the clog is persistent, pour hot water or dish soap down the toilet. |
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What You'll Learn
Turn off the water supply and flush
To empty the water from your toilet pan, start by locating the shutoff valve at the base of the toilet. The valve will likely have an oval-shaped handle. Turn the handle clockwise to turn off the water supply.
Next, flush the toilet. Hold the flush lever down until the tank is as empty as possible. You may need to hold the flusher down until the bowl is empty. If your toilet is clogged, do not flush. Instead, try plunging to remove the clog and water.
After flushing, there may be a small amount of water left in the tank or at the bottom of the bowl. Use a sponge to remove any residual water. Place a bucket directly next to the toilet bowl and use a small cup or bowl to bail out the remaining water. Alternatively, use a wet-dry vac to drain the toilet, but only if the water is clean.
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Use a plunger
Using a plunger is a common method to empty water from a toilet pan. It is also a good way to clear a clog. Before you begin, lay out some old towels and move any rugs in your bathroom to keep them clean in case you splash the water.
Firstly, check that your toilet is actually clogged. Sometimes, a toilet might flush slowly, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's blocked. To check for a clog, look for signs like water rising up to the brim of the toilet bowl after you flush, or a complete lack of water movement. If you see water barely draining or not draining at all, this is another indication of a clog.
If your toilet is overflowing or filled to the rim, shut off the water to the fixture by turning the supply valve on the wall clockwise. Then, use a bucket to bail out water from your toilet bowl until it’s half-full so you’re less likely to splash and make a mess.
Now, you can begin to plunge. Place the rubber lip of a flange plunger around the hole in the toilet. A flange plunger has a rubber extension, creating a better seal inside your toilet bowl. Dip the end of your plunger into the toilet so it slightly fills with water, and press it straight down over the drain at the bottom. Make sure the lip of the plunger sits tightly against the toilet bowl so it creates an airtight seal. You can try applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly around the lip of your plunger to help form a tight seal.
Hold the plunger handle straight up, pointed at the ceiling, and move it up and down for 10-20 seconds to break apart the clog. Do not aggressively push down and pull up, as this will create a mess. Instead, gently but firmly place the rubber end of the plunger over the clogged hole. Make sure the rubber part is fully submerged in water. If it is not, add more hot, soapy water to increase the water level. The plunger uses the force of the water, not the air, to clear the obstruction. Once the plunger has created a good seal, push down and pull up a few times without breaking the seal. Then, flush. If the water does not go down, open the tank and ensure the flapper is closed so that the water does not overflow.
After plunging, there will likely be a small amount of water left in the toilet bowl. A large, absorbent sponge will remove this residual water. Wear rubber gloves and squeeze the sponged water into a bucket.
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Drain with a siphon
Draining a Toilet with a Siphon
Draining a toilet with a siphon is a simple process, but it requires some preparation and the right equipment. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you effectively drain a toilet using a siphon.
Step 1: Prepare the Toilet
Before you begin siphoning, it is important to turn off the water supply to the toilet. Locate the shutoff valve, which is usually a small valve with an oval-shaped handle at the toilet's base. Turn the handle clockwise to shut off the water supply. If the toilet has an old shutoff valve that is not functioning correctly, you may need to shut off the main water supply valve for the entire house.
Once the water supply is turned off, flush the toilet to empty the tank. Hold the flush lever until the tank is as empty as possible.
Step 2: Prepare the Siphon
To create a siphon, you will need a short, flexible hose. Ensure that the hose is long enough to reach from the toilet bowl to a bucket placed on the floor. Before using the hose, it is recommended to wear waterproof gloves, as you will need to handle the hose directly. Completely fill the hose with water from a sink or tub. Plug both ends of the hose with your thumbs to prevent water from escaping.
Step 3: Siphoning Process
Place one end of the hose into the toilet bowl, ensuring it is fully submerged. Direct the other end of the hose into a bucket placed on the floor next to the toilet. Ensure that the bucket end of the hose is lower than the water surface in the toilet bowl. You may need to adjust the height of the bucket or the toilet seat to achieve the proper angle.
Once the setup is ready, release one thumb from the hose end in the bucket, keeping the other thumb in place. This will create a siphoning effect, and the water will start flowing from the toilet bowl into the bucket. Keep the hose in place until the water level in the toilet bowl is significantly lowered.
Step 4: Final Touches
After siphoning most of the water, there may still be a small amount of water left in the toilet bowl. You can use a sponge or a small cup to absorb and remove the remaining water. If there is any water left in the tank, you can also use a sponge to wipe it dry, especially if you are disassembling the toilet.
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Scoop water out with a cup or bowl
Scooping water out with a cup or bowl is a straightforward method for emptying water from a toilet pan. This method is useful when you need to drain the toilet bowl completely, such as when replacing the entire toilet.
First, place a flat tub, such as a bucket or large trash lid, directly next to the toilet bowl. It is recommended to put a large bath towel or an old towel underneath the bucket to limit the mess and absorb any spills or leaks.
Then, use a small cup or bowl to bail out the water. A small cup is preferable to a large one, as it will be easier to manoeuvre and empty. You can also try using the cap from a can of hairspray, laundry detergent, or spray paint, as these can reach to the bottom of the bowl to scoop out the majority of the water. Remember, you will need to reach into the very bottom of the bowl to empty the water from the toilet's trap.
As you scoop the water out, pour it into the bucket. Once the bucket is full, carefully pour the contents into a bathtub or shower to dispose of the water. Repeat this process until you have removed as much water as possible from the toilet bowl.
Even after scooping, there will likely be a small amount of residual water left in the toilet bowl. To remove this, use a large, absorbent sponge. Wear rubber gloves and squeeze the sponged water into the bucket as you absorb it from the bowl.
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Soak up water with a sponge
If you want to empty water from the toilet pan using a sponge, you'll first need to turn off the water supply and flush the toilet. Hold the flush lever down until the tank is as empty as possible. If the toilet is clogged, you should skip this step and move directly to plunging.
Next, use a sponge to soak up the remaining water from the toilet bowl. Wear rubber gloves and squeeze the sponged water into a bucket as you go. A large, absorbent sponge will remove residual water quickly. You can also use a small sponge to mop up the remaining water in the tank.
Make sure to periodically squeeze the excess water from the sponge into the bucket. You can also try using a super-absorbent sponge designed for bathroom cleaning, such as the SAUGWUNDER sponge, which can be found on Amazon. This type of sponge is especially useful for soaking up water from smooth surfaces.
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