A blocked toilet can occur on any property and can happen for multiple reasons. Flushing too much toilet paper or other objects can clog the pipework and make it hard for water and waste to travel to your sewer drain. Tree roots can also intrude over time in the pipework and cause cracks and blockages.
Some signs indicate your toilet drain is obstructed. Do not ignore these indicators, as doing so can impact the lifespan of your drainage system and fixtures, especially a clogged toilet around your property.
Water backing up when you flush or a full bowl
This is an obvious sign of a clogged toilet. After you flush and the water rises or does not go down, a foreign object or too much toilet paper could be stuck in the trap.
- Gurgling sound
Suppose you hear a gurgling noise from your toilet or other fixtures around your property. It’s a sign of problems with the drain. When your drainage system is blocked, the air-to-liquid ratio changes, which can create venting issues.
- Water draining slowly
Any object or obstruction blocking your pipeline will create a barrier to water flow. If the water slowly moves after you flush your toilet bowl, your drainage system is blocked.
- Smelly toilet drain
Foul odours coming from your bathroom sink can indicate a blockage. The build-up of waste from food, grease, and sewerage can begin to produce gases that come through vent pipes and fixtures on your property.
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How to unblock a toilet
There are various methods for clearing the drain of your toilet and any clogged drain around your home and business. They can range from simple and quick fixes to extensive pipe replacements. Below are some methods you can use for household materials.
1. Plunge
A good plunge is sometimes all you need to clear your blocked toilets. A regular plunger is only effective on solid blockages. Make sure the drain opening is large enough to accommodate the plunger. Ensure that the up and down strokes are vigorous and applied with a good amount of pressure. About ten strokes should do the trick.
Cover your bathroom floor around the toilet bowl with towels or newspaper, and wear gloves to protect your hands. If you can visually see the object, then remove it. If not, proceed to cover the toilet opening and begin pushing and pulling movements.
After every plunging cycle, flush your toilet. The water should begin to drain slowly. If it does, flush the toilet and wait for the water to fill the bowl.
2. Homemade drain cleaner
Dish soap or liquid soap is an effective drain cleaner. It can also act as a lubricant to unclog the toilet. But as an alternative to dish soap, these DIY remedies are a great way to naturally clear your blocked drain in the kitchen or bathroom sink. This homemade method is a perfect alternative to hardware stores’ harsh chemical drain cleaners. All you need is baking soda, boiling water, and vinegar.
Start by pouring hot bath water down your toilet, then add a half cup of baking soda. Then, 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of boiling water again. Let your vinegar and baking soda mixture sit for a few minutes. You can cover the drain with a plug to let the vinegar and baking soda mixture react for 5-10 minutes. Finish off by flushing the sink once more with boiling water.
3. Wire Hanger
A simple and effective way to unclog your toilet is to use a household metal coat hanger. All you need to do is put on your rubber gloves, unravel the wire coat hanger, and make a small hook on one of the ends. Feed it through the drain and carefully fish out any objects or debris causing the toilet clogs. The wire hanger also pushes the blockage through the toilet trap and the drain pipes.
This will only work if the object is a few inches from the drain.
4. Plumbers Snake
The design of the plumber’s snake or auger perfectly fits your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry sink. It has a long, flexible metallic cable. On one end is a drill, which is essentially a driller. This drill rotates to cut through stubborn material. On the other end is a handle for gripping.
Never forget to wear your rubber gloves, and feed the drain snake or auger carefully down the toilet bowl and into the drain until you feel some resistance. This means you have reached the obstruction or toilet clogs. Keep pushing and twisting the make until you know you have broken the object. You will feel less resistance.
Remove the snake and flush the toilet. The water should drain quickly.
5. High-pressure Jet Blaster
A high-pressure jet blaster is best for severe blockages and badly clogged toilets. Most experienced and licensed plumbers carry a jet blaster, as this method is excellent for objects such as tree roots lodged inside the pipework.
Jet blasters are run through your pipework, such as sewer drains. The powerful water jets through the line and pushes any material.
With CCTV camera work, your blockage will be located and cleared simultaneously. For any significant blockages, you should call your local licensed plumber, who will know precisely how to clear your drain effectively.
To unclog your toilet, go beyond your toilet plunger or toilet brush. It is always recommended to call an experienced plumber as they will have the right equipment ready. You don’t want to create a bigger plumbing problem for yourself, so get on the phone and contact your local trusted plumbing team.
They can use a plunger or powerful jet blaster if your toilets or any other drain around your home and business are blocked or the toilet clog lies in your toilet tank.
