What to Do When Your Toilet is Blocked: A Step-by-Step Guide
Toilet blockages can happen at any moment and are a common issue for homeowners. They can be uncomfortable, messy, and inconvenient, and require immediate attention. However, you do not always require an plumber immediately. In this blog post we’ll guide you through a few easy ways to clean your toilet within a matter of minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Toilet blockages can be resolved with the use of simple tools such as plungers, baking soda
The tools you’ll need
Before we begin, it’s essential to have these tools in your arsenal:
- Rubber Gloves
- Plunger
- Baking Soda and Vinegar (Optional)
- A Wire Coat hanger, or a plumbing Snake (Optional)
Step 1: Turn off the water supply valve.
The first thing you need to do when facing a clogged toilet is to shut off the supply of water behind the toilet. This step ensures that no water can enter the tank during your work on unclogging it. The valve is normally located near the bottom of the tank on one side.
Step 2: Protect yourself with rubber gloves.
Your hands must be protected from any germs or bacteria found in your toilet bowl with rubber gloves prior to making use of any tool to clear the toilet.
Step 3: Use a plunger.
A plunger is without doubt the most effective tool for clearing toilets of blockages. Begin by pressing down onto the plunger till all air is evacuated from it. then press it hard over the toilet bowl and start plunging vigorously up and down for around 20 seconds. The suction created by plunging back and forth will help remove any blockages.
Tips:
- Make sure you are using a strong but controlled movement.
- Make holes in the sinks or shower drains if they are close by to prevent the pressure of air from escape as you plunge.
Step 4: Try 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 as well as one teaspoon of vinegar inside the bathroom bowl. Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes. The mixture will start to fizz, and when it stops you can pour hot water down (not hot) to flush out the obstruction.
Step 5 5. Use a coat hanger with wire or plumbing snake.
If plunging, baking soda and vinegar have not worked, then it is time to try the wire coat hanger or plumbing snake. Make sure you straighten your coat hanger’s cord until you have a long thin wire with a hook bent at one end, or you can use to use the plumbing snake that was designed specifically for clearing drain blockages. Insert the tool into the drain hole on your toilet, and twist to turn, push, at the same time until you sense resistance. there’s usually a blockage occurs. Try to break up any blockages with a back-andforth motion without causing damages in your pipeline.
Note:
- Do not overdo pulling or pushing actions too hard, as they could create more problems.
Step 6: Restart the water supply and check the result.
Once you’ve removed any obstructions, it’s crucial to turn off the valve for water flow that is behind your toilet bowl again. Then flush it several times to make sure that everything flows freely 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. |
Common Questions and Answers
What can I do to tell when my toilet has become blocked?
A common indicators of a clogged toilet is when water rises to the top after flushing. You may also notice that water drains away in a slow manner, or hear gurgling sounds coming directly from your toilet.
What should I do if the toilet is blocked?
If you suspect that your toilet is blocked then avoid flushing it in the future as this could result in flooding. Instead, turn off the water supply to the valve that is behind the toilet, and utilize a plunger and remove any blockages. If this doesn’t work, call Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbing for professional help.
Can I stop my toilet from becoming blocked?
Yes! There are a variety of things you can do to prevent your toilet from becoming blocked. These include avoiding flushing items that are not biodegradable, such as toiletries, wet wipes or cotton wool down the toilet. It is also important to avoid using oil or grease in the sink which can solidify and block pipes.
When should I contact a professional plumber to resolve the problem of a toilet that is blocked?
If you’ve tried to flush your toilet, but it doesn’t clear or you believe there’s a larger issue with the plumbing system, causing frequent blockages, it’s the right time to get in touch with an experienced plumber such as Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbing . We’ve got years of experience in dealing with all kinds of plumbing problems that we can quickly detect and resolve any issues with minimal impact on your property.
What is the best frequency to schedule my drains cleared?
It is recommended that you get the drains cleaned out by experts like Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbing every 1-2 years. This will help prevent blockages and ensure that your plumbing system functioning smoothly. If, however, you often encounter blockages in your drains or slow draining water despite making sure you are taking steps to prevent clogging them, then cleaning your drains every year could be beneficial.
These strategies are simple to execute as the majority of products are easily available in households. If you’re facing a blocked toilet, prior to being anxious after attempting the methods, contact Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbing ‘s expert plumbers located in Melbourne , if you’re in search of professional assistance for your blocked toilets.
Additional Information
- How CCTV Drain Inspection Helps in Saving Time and Money on Plumbing Repairs?
- The Benefits of CCTV Drain Inspections for Blocked Drains and Corroded Pipes
- Don’t Get Caught Unprepared! What You Need to Do Before a CCTV Drain Inspection
- Save Future Expenses with CCTV Drain Inspection for Home Buyers
- The Dangers of Using Chemical Drain Unblockers
- Why Pipe Relining is a Cost-Effective Solution for your Business’ Plumbing Issues?
- How to Prevent Your Drains from Getting Blocked
- Why Calling a Pro for Drain Cleaning is Safer and Smarter
- Dealing with Blocked Drains: DIY Techniques vs Professional Services
- Unblocking Blocked Drains: How to Choose Between DIY or Professional Services
