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

Toilet blockages can happen at any moment and are a common household issue. They can be unpleasant, messy, and inconvenient and require immediate attention. However, you don’t always have to call a plumber immediately. In this blog post, we will guide you through simple steps to clear your toilet in no time.

Key Takeaways

• Toilet blockages are easily remediated using simple tools and techniques like plungers, baking soda

The Tools You’ll Need

Before we start it’s important to be prepared with these tools at hand:

• Rubber Gloves
• Plunger
• Baking Soda and Vinegar (Optional)
• A Wire Coat hanger, or a Plumbing Snake (Optional)

Step 1: Shut off the water supply valve.

The first thing to do when faced with a blocked toilet is shutting off the valve for water flow in front of the toilet. This step ensures that no water can enter the tank as you are working to unblock it. The valve is typically found near to the base of tank, on the other side.

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

Hands must be protected from potential bacteria or germs present in your toilet bowl with rubber gloves before making use of any tools to unblock the drain.

Step 3: Use a plunger.

A plunger is undoubtedly the most effective tool to use for clearing toilets of blockages. The first step is to gently push down to the plunger, until air is released, then place it firmly on the hole in your toilet bowl. Begin to plunging vigorously up and down for about 20 seconds. The suction caused by plunging back and forth will remove any blockages.

Tips:

• Make sure you are using a strong but controlled movement.
• Place holes around sinks or shower drains if they’re close enough to stop the pressure of air from escape as you plunge.

Step 4: Try baking soda and vinegar mixture.

If plunges don’t work you can try this other method add half a cup of baking soda as well as one cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl. Let this mixture settle for approximately 15 minutes. It will begin to bubble then stop you can pour hot water down (not hot) to clear the blockage.

Step 5 Utilize a wire coat hanger or plumbing snake.

If plunging, baking soda and vinegar have not worked and you are in need of a solution, it’s time to use a wire coat hanger, or plumbing snake. Straighten the coat hanger’s wire until have a long thin wire with an angled hook at one end, or you can use it as a plumbing snake, which is made specifically to clear drain clogs. Put the tool in the drain hole in your toilet and then twist around, twist, push and pull till you experience resistance. that’s where the blockage usually is. Be gentle and try to break any blockages using back-and-forth motion without damaging your pipe.

Note:

• Don’t push or pull actions too hard, as they could make things worse

Step 6: Switch on the water supply and check the result.

Once you’ve removed any blockages, it is important to switch on the valve for water flow that is behind the toilet bowl. After that, flush it a few times to ensure that everything flows freely now!

Common Questions and Answers

What can I do to tell whether my toilet is clogged?

The most frequent signs of a blocked toilet is when the water level rises to the top of the toilet after flushing. There is a possibility that water drains away slowly or you hear noises of gurgling coming from the toilet.

What can I do if the toilet is blocked?

If you suspect that the toilet is blocked then avoid flushing it over again since this could cause flooding. Instead, shut off water flow at the valve in front of the toilet and employ a plunger to try to eliminate any blockages. If this fails you can call Local Sydney Blocked Drains for professional help.

Can I stop my toilet from getting blocked?

Yes! There are several things you can do to stop your toilet from being blocked. This includes avoiding the flushing of non-degradable things like Wet wipes, sanitary products or cotton wool down the toilet. Avoid using oil or grease in the sink which can solidify and cause blockages to pipes.

What is the best time to call an experienced plumber about a blocked toilet?

If you’ve tried plunging your toilet, but it isn’t unblocking, or you think that there’s a problem with the plumbing system, causing frequent blockages, it’s time to seek out a professional plumber like Local Sydney Blocked Drains . We have many years of experience dealing with all kinds of plumbing problems that we can quickly detect and fix any issues without causing any interruption to your house.

Do I need to schedule my drains cleared?

It’s recommended that you have your drains cleaned by professionals like Local Sydney Blocked Drains every 1-2 years. This will help prevent obstructions and keep your plumbing system running smoothly. If, however, you often experience drain blockages or slow draining water, despite trying to avoid clogging them, then cleaning your drains every year would be beneficial.

These procedures are fairly easy to execute, and most of these items are available in households. If you’re experiencing a toilet that is blocked, before worrying after trying the strategies, you should contact Local Sydney Blocked Drains ‘s expert plumbers located in Sydney , if you’re in search of professional assistance with your blocked toilets.

Additional Information

• The Ultimate Guide to Prevent Drain Blockages
• Understanding CCTV Drain Inspection and the Benefits for Your Home
• Benefits of Pipe Relining for Your Blocked Drains Problem
• Why Pipe Relining is a Cost-Effective Solution for your Business� Plumbing Issues?
• Why Condo Complexes are Switching to Trenchless Pipe Relining Methods
• Letting You See What's Hiding Beneath Your Prospective Property: The Benefits of CCTV Drain Inspection
• The Importance of CCTV Drain Inspection in Commercial Properties
• Don't Let Your Blocked Drains Cause You Trouble
• Top Reasons to Avoid DIY Drain Unblocking
• The Ultimate Guide to Drain Clearing Services