What to Do When Your Toilet is Blocked: A Step-by-Step Guide
Toilet blockages can occur at any time, and are a common household issue. It’s unpleasant messy and uninspiring, and require immediate attention. However, you don’t require the plumber immediately. In this blog we’ll guide you through simple ways to clean your toilet in no time.
Key Takeaways
- Toilet blockages can be resolved by using simple tools like plungers, baking soda
The Tools You’ll Need
Before we begin we must have these tools in your arsenal:
- Rubber Gloves
- Plunger
- Baking Soda and Vinegar (Optional)
- A Wire Coat hanger, or a Pipe Snake (Optional)
Step 1: Close the water supply valve.
The first thing you should do when confronted with a blocked toilet is turning off the supply of water in front of the toilet. This will ensure that no more water enters the tank while you work on unclogging it. The valve is normally located near in the middle of the tank on one side.
Step 2: Be sure to protect yourself by wearing rubber gloves.
Your hands must be protected from potential bacteria or germs found in your toilet bowl with rubber gloves before making use of any tools to unblock the drain.
Step 3: Use a plunger.
The plunger is by far the most effective tool for getting rid of blocked toilets. Begin by pressing down on the plunger until air escapes from it, then press firmly over the toilet and begin to plunge vigorously up and down for about 20 seconds. The suction that is created by the movement of the plunger will remove any blockages.
Tips:
- Be sure to use a powerful but controlled movement.
- Make holes in the sinks or shower drains, if they are close enough to stop the air from escaping when you plunge.
Step 4: Make a baking soda and vinegar in a mixture.
If plunges don’t work you can try this other method - pour half a cup of baking soda and 1 cups of white vinegar to the toilet. The mixture should sit for about 15 minutes. The mixture will start to fizz but when it ceases to fizz, pour hot water down (not overly hot) to clear the blockage.
Step 5 5. Use a coat hanger with wire or plumbing snake.
If plunging, baking soda/vinegar techniques have failed and you are in need of a solution, it’s the time to employ the wire coat hanger or plumbing snake. Make sure you straighten your coat hanger’s cable until you are left with a thin and long wire that has an angled hook on one side or your plumbing snake that was specially designed to clear drain blockages. Place the snake into the drain hole of your toilet and twist, turn, push to the point where you can feel a resistance. this is where the blockage typically occurs. Be gentle and try to break any obstructions using a back-and-forth movement but without causing any damage to the pipeline.
Note:
- Don’t push or pull actions too hard, as they could create more problems.
Step 6: Restart the water supply and verify the results.
Once you’ve eliminated any obstructions, it’s crucial to turn off your water valve in the toilet bowl. Make sure to flush it several times to make sure all water flows smoothly now!
| Tools | Description |
|---|---|
| Rubber Gloves | Hand protection from potential bacteria or germs present in the toilet bowl. |
| Plunger | Most effective tool for clearing up blocked toilets. Press firmly over the hole in your toilet bowl and plunge vigorously up and down for about 20 seconds. |
| Baking Soda and Vinegar | Mixture to use if plunging doesn’t work. Pour half a cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl. Let this mixture settle for about 15 minutes, then pour hot water down (not boiling) to flush out the blockage. |
| Wire Coat Hanger or Plumbing Snake | Tools to use if both plunging and baking soda/vinegar methods have failed. Straighten the wire coat hanger until you have a long thin wire with a hook bent at one end or use the plumbing snake, which is designed specifically for clearing drain clogs. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know whether my toilet is clogged?
The most frequent indicators of a clogged toilet is when water rises to the top after flushing. There is a possibility that water drains away in a slow manner, or hear noises of gurgling coming out of the bathroom.
What can I do if my toilet is blocked?
If you suspect that your toilet is blocked and you are unable to flush it, do not attempt to flush it in the future as this could result in flooding. Instead, shut off the water supply valve behind the toilet and make use of a plunger to eliminate any blockages. If this fails you can call Blocked Drains Plumbers Sydney for professional help.
How can I stop my toilet from getting blocked?
Yes! There are many things you can do to keep your toilet from becoming blocked. One of them is to avoid flushing items that are not biodegradable, such as Wet wipes, sanitary products or cotton wool in the toilet. Avoid the practice of pouring oil or grease down the sink, as it can cause solidification and cause blockages to pipes.
What is the best time to call a professional plumber to resolve a toilet that has become blocked?
If you’ve tried flushing your toilet but it still isn’t unblocking, or you think that there’s a problem with your plumbing system causing frequent blockages, it’s the right time to contact an experienced plumber such as Blocked Drains Plumbers Sydney . We have many years of experience in dealing with all kinds of plumbing problems that we can quickly detect and fix any issues without causing any impact on your property.
What is the best frequency to schedule my drains cleaned?
It is recommended to have clean your drains by a professional such as Blocked Drains Plumbers Sydney every 1-2 years. This will prevent blockages and keep your plumbing system running smoothly. If, however, you often suffer from blockages to your drains or slow draining of water despite making sure you are taking steps to prevent clogging them, then regular cleaning could be beneficial.
These procedures are fairly easy to apply, and most of these items are readily available in households. If you’re having trouble with your toilets, don’t be panicking after attempting all these methods, contact Blocked Drains Plumbers Sydney ‘s expert plumbers located in Sydney , if you’re looking for professional help with those blocked toilets.
Additional Information
- How CCTV Drain Inspection Helps in Saving Time and Money on Plumbing Repairs?
- A Comprehensive Overview of CCTV Drain Inspection for Your Home
- Why CCTV Drain Inspections Should Be Part of Your Regular Maintenance Routine
- The Importance of Professional Drain Cleaning for Your Family's Health and Safety
- CCTV Drain Inspection: Find Out How it Helps Pinpoint Root Infiltration in Your Pipes
- Get Ready for Your Close-up: Tips on How to Prepare for a CCTV Inspection of Your Drains
- How to Prevent Your Drains from Getting Blocked
- The Importance of CCTV Drain Inspections in Preventing Expensive Property Damage
- The Top Causes of Blocked Drains You Need to Know
- The Benefits of CCTV Drain Inspection: Beyond Unclogging Pipes
