What to Do When Your Toilet is Blocked: A Step-by-Step Guide

Toilet blockages can happen anytime and are a common problem for households. They can be uncomfortable dirty, inconvenient, and messy and requires immediate attention. However, you don’t need to call an emergency plumber immediately. In this blog post we’ll guide you through the steps to get your toilet unclogged in no time.

Key Takeaways

• Toilet blockages are easily remediated with simple tools and methods like plungers, baking soda

The tools you’ll need

Before we begin we must be prepared with these tools:

• Rubber Gloves
• Plunger
• Baking Soda and Vinegar (Optional)
• The Hanger for Wire Coats or the Pipe Snake (Optional)

Step 1: Shut off the supply of water valve.

The first thing you need to do when facing a clogged toilet is shutting off the valve for water flow on the toilet. This step ensures that no water will enter the tank while you are working to unblock it. The valve is usually located near to the base of tank on one side.

Step 2: Be sure to protect yourself with rubber gloves.

You must protect your hands from potential bacteria or germs present in your toilet with rubber gloves prior to making use of any tools to unblock the drain.

Step 3: Use a plunger.

A plunger is the most effective tool to use for clearing up blocked toilets. First, push down gently to the plunger, until all air escapes from it, then place it in the hole in your toilet and begin to plunge upwards and downwards for around 20 seconds. The suction generated by the movement of the plunger will assist in removing any blockages.

Tips:

• Make sure you are using a strong but controlled movement.
• Place holes around sinks or shower drains if close enough to prevent air pressure escaping as you plunge.

Step 4: Make a baking soda and vinegar in a mixture.

If the plunge doesn’t work you can try this other method - pour half a cup of baking soda as well as one tablespoon of vinegar in the bowl. The mixture should sit for approximately 15 minutes. It may fizz, and when it stops, pour hot water down (not boiling) to clear the obstruction.

Step 5 5. Use a coat hanger with wire or a plumbing snake.

If both plunging and baking soda/vinegar methods have failed to clear the clog, then it’s time to try an electric coat hanger or plumbing snake. The coat hanger should be straightened’s wire until have a long thin wire with a hook that is bent at one end, or you can use to use the plumbing snake that was designed specifically for clearing drain obstructions. Insert the tool into the drain hole of your toilet and then twist, turn, push at the same time until you sense resistance; it’s the place where the blockage is. Gently try to break up any blockages using back-and-forth motion without causing damages in your pipeline.

Note:

• Do not overdo pulling or pushing actions too hard, as they could cause more harm.

Step 6: Switch on the water supply and test the results.

After you have cleared any blockages, it is important to switch on your water valve that is behind your toilet bowl again. Then flush it several times to make sure that everything flows freely now!

FAQ

What can I do to tell when my toilet has become blocked?

Some of the more frequent indicators of a clogged toilet is when water rises to the top of the bowl after flushing. You might also notice that water drains away slowly or you hear gurgling sounds coming from the toilet.

What can I do if the toilet is blocked?

If you suspect that your toilet is blocked be sure to avoid flushing it once more as this could cause flooding. Instead, shut off your water source at the valve behind the toilet and utilize a plunger and remove any blockages. If this fails contact Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumber for professional help.

Can I stop my toilet from getting blocked?

Yes! There are many options to avoid your toilet being blocked. This includes avoiding flushing items that are not biodegradable, such as toiletries, wet wipes or cotton wool into the toilet. It is also important to avoid the practice of pouring oil or grease down the drain, which could cause solidification and cause blockages to pipes.

When should I call an experienced plumber to fix the problem of a toilet that is blocked?

If you’ve tried to flush your toilet, but it won’t unblock or you suspect that there’s an issue in your plumbing system that is causing frequent blockages, you need to contact a professional plumber like Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumber . We have years of experience in dealing with all kinds of plumbing problems and can quickly diagnose and correct any issue with the least disturbance to the home.

Do I need to schedule my drains cleaned?

It’s recommended that you have cleaning your drainage system by a professional like Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumber every 1-2 years. This can prevent obstructions and keep your plumbing system operating smoothly. However, if you frequently encounter blockages in your drains or slow drainage of water despite taking precautions not to clog them, then regular cleaning can be beneficial.

These techniques are fairly simple to apply as the majority of products are easily available in homes. If you’re facing a blocked toilet, prior to panicking after attempting all these methods mentioned above – contact Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumber ‘s expert plumbers located in Adelaide , if you’re searching for professional help with problems with your blocked toilets.

Additional Information

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• How CCTV Drain Inspections Help Avoid Water Damage and Health Hazards
• Natural Methods for Keeping Your Shower Drain Free of Blockages
• DIY Drain Cleaning: How to Safely Tackle Clogged Drains
• Don't Let Your Blocked Drains Cause You Trouble
• Benefits of Pipe Relining for Your Blocked Drains Problem
• The Ultimate Guide to Drain Clearing Services
• The Importance of CCTV Drain Inspection in Property Maintenance
• The Importance of Professional Drain Cleaning for Your Family's Health and Safety
• Why Condo Complexes are Switching to Trenchless Pipe Relining Methods