Most blocked toilets can be easily fixed and can often be rectified by following a few simple steps and below is a summary of advice. The prospect of an overflowing toilet is less than pleasant, and 247Drainage are on hand, ideally within the hour to help with emergency toilet blockages.
Depending on the severity of the blockage, be fully prepped to soak up any drips, gushes or excess water/debris from the pipes you may need to clean with spare old towels, plastic sheeting to cover upholstery and, bodily protection when dealing with unhygienic matter.
You Will Need
- Protective glasses and rubber gloves
- WC Plunger OR AN OLD MOP WITH PLASTIC BAG (PLEASE SEE BELOW)
- Bucket
- Mirror
- Some old towels/newspapers to soak up any excess liquids/mess
- Screwdriver
- Adjustable Spanner
- Bleach/Drain Cleaner/Caustic Soda
- Auger Rod
- Coat Hanger
DISCLAIMER: When using strong, dangerous chemicals, please take necessary precautions when using these substances – make sure you use protective clothing, gloves and eyewear.
First Steps In Unblocking Your Toilet
Before taking apart your toilet cistern, check for a few common reasons for toilet blockage that can be fixed without too much lasting trauma.
DO NOT be tempted to repeatedly flush the toilet the toilet that has already filled with water and isn’t draining away. More water from repeated flushing will overflow over the top of your toilet and in to your bathroom/living space. Not advisable.
- Make the Toilet Accessible
Check For Toys
If you live in a household with children, it may be quite possible a toilet blockage could be caused by unusual objects.
With the help of some long, heavy duty rubber gloves, check for any suspected blockages – think children toys. bottles or mobile phones. Fish out anything that looks like it could be blocking the entire toilet.
It obviously goes without saying that any obstruction should be disposed of for health and safety reasons into a plastic bag and waste container as so to prevent infection.
With plastic containers attempt to remove any excessive amount of water from the toilet bowl so you have better access to plunge and rectify any problems or difficulties.
Plunge!
The next step to check for deeper of less solid blockages would be use a WC Plunger to gently seal the opening or the toilet bowl. Gently push and pull the plunger, creating a vacuum that will hopefully draw out any blockages. An auger rod can also aid the fishing out of any stuck matter or debris blocking the toilet.
If you do not have a plunger handy, an old mop with a plastic bag wrapped around the full end can prove an excellent alternative.
A good way to ensure that this method is working, is to try dropping a few cups of clean water in to the toilet. The waste line, if properly unblocked, should not rise. Do not attempt to flush the toilet again if the waste water line isn’t draining- as the problem is not yet rectified.
Remember to properly cleanse and sanitise the entire toilet area, seat, pan, cistern unit and nearby area after completing the plunge method.
TIP: HEAT the Rubber Plunger beforehand so it is more flexible and more effective.
Coat Hanger
Unwind the most versatile tool in your house so it is shaped in to a long wire ending in a curve. This offers slightly more precision in the removal and dissection of your toilet’s blockage – if you have managed to locate it. The wire is generally quite sharp so try not to scratch the ceramic surface of your toilet.
Chemical Cleanse
After going through these steps, it may be apparent that your toilet doesn’t seem to have any large blockage, meaning it may simply need a thorough flush through, in the same sort of process as we have suggested dissolving debris in a built up, blocked sink. With some hot water, drain cleaner, bleach and or caustic soda, pour some of this mixture down the pan. Watch out for splashed and ensure you wear gloves for this.
The above steps are basic, helpful, common-sense hints, and each step may be repeated for as long as you think a blockage in the pan is causing the issue.
Still No Joy?
If the blockage doesn’t seem to be clearing itself, and after multiple attempts of drainage testing, plunging; it’s likely something a bit more serious is going on with your toilet’s cistern,either with the flushing inlet or the toilet pan’s outlet.
At this point it’s probably easier and quicker for you to call our drainage experts to tackle the problem.
They will soon locate whether there is in fact a blockage in the pan outlet, or even in to the soil stack and discharge drains.
Please don’t hesitate to call us for a free quotation, call out within an hour and with blockage clearance beginning at £30, we offer competitive, professional service 24/7.