A blocked toilet is never pleasant. Unfortunately, it is also a common problem for many, and one that can easily turn into a big disaster if handled badly. Usually, however, a simple blockage is easily fixed, and can be resolved in a matter of minutes with a few ordinary household items. Here’s what you need to do to unblock your toilet.
Prevention
The best defence against a blocked toilet is prevention. Don’t flush anything but toilet paper. Other things such as hand wipes, cigarette butts, paper towels, feminine products, thick tissues are usual causes of a blocked toilet. If you ever drop something into the toilet by accident, fish it out – never try to flush it away! Believe it or not, cell phones and children’s toys can cost a small fortune to dislodge from drains, sometimes requiring the removal of large sections of wall and piping. For those who live in apartments, this is no way to make friends with your neighbours.
The Passive Solution
If you are lucky, you may be able to simply wait it out by letting the water dissolve the blockage and try flushing again after a few hours – but make sure the water level has gone down or you could cause the toilet to overflow. That is the last thing you want! Pouring something caustic (Coca Cola, for example) into the toilet bowl can speed the process along a lot. Simply dump a can of you favourite cola into the water and let it eat away at the debris. Remember; never flush the toilet when the water level is already high. A toilet overflow can be particularly disgusting.
Preparation
If the waiting game doesn’t do the trick then you will need to take some more drastic measures. Go get some rubber gloves, a plunger, a drain snake or a wire coat hanger, and a bucket. This could be the stage where you might want to call a professional to help, as you could just be preparing to make things worse by doing it yourself which could end up costing more. But, if you are ready to get stuck in, then the first thing to try is the plunger.
Taking the Plunge
Insert the plunger into the drain carefully, press down firmly and then pull up slowly. Your aim is to create a strong suction on the drain at the bottom of the toilet, so manipulate the plunger to create a tight seal. Move the plunger up and down about 10-20 times, or until you feel the blockage work loose. Do not move the plunger too quickly; you do not want any splashing and debris to clear up. The water level may have gone down and usually you can tell that the blockage has released. If the water level has gone down then flush the toilet to see if it will run freely. Check you have not loosened any rubber seals behind the toilet which can happen as you build up the pressure.
If the plunger method doesn’t work, unbend your coat hanger and straighten it into a long rod. Now, insert it right into the drain until it hits the blockage (better to use a drain snake, if you have one). Push the rod through the blockage and work it loose by twisting it in a circular motion. Then flush to clear the newly unblocked toilet.
Toilet Clean-up
Use fresh water to clear debris off your plunger or hanger wire by flushing the toilet once or twice more, then put them in the bucket to avoid dripping on the floor. Through the coat hanger away and wash and disinfect the plunger to avoid spreading germs. This portion of the job is important as failure to disinfect properly could create a serious health risk to your family. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect the toilet after fixing any blockage. Plunging can sometimes cause splashing that isn’t obviously apparent. So ensure you clean around the toilet area as well.
Usually, unblocking a toilet is quite simple. At times, however, blocked drains can signal a more significant problem. Blocked mainlines, backed up septic systems and faulty pipes can occur. If the steps outlined above do not work then it is time to call in the professional.
Call ProPlumb Today to make your blocked toilet Problems Go Away!
