(Last Updated On: May 30, 2023)
It’s uncommon for anyone to live a full life without dealing with a blocked toilet. A toilet will ultimately stop emptying when it is flushed, whether due to our terrible actions, the leftovers of a party, a memory of an impolite guest, or the outcome of a youngster choosing to deposit their toys in the toilet.
It’s important to fix a blocked toilet before it becomes an unsanitary embarrassment since it may be a huge hassle, especially if it’s the only toilet on your property.
Thankfully, you’ve been wondering how to unclog a toilet. In that case, it’s a simple procedure that involves only a few items and a short amount of your time.
Avoid Flushing
Not flushing the toilet is the first and most crucial rule when attempting to unclog one. It can be tempting to flush again in the hopes that the increased water pressure would help clear the obstruction, but doing so increases the likelihood that your bathroom will flood, especially if it is entirely waterproof.
In these situations, the sole way for water to escape the toilet pan is in a different location. The water from your initial flush should gradually drain past the obstruction, allowing you to start making attempts to remove it.
Offset Water Supply
Even if you don’t need to, turning off the water to the toilet is a wise precaution, particularly if water runs into a full toilet pan. Your toilet’s water supply pipe should have a stop valve on it, usually to the left of the toilet as you face it.
While many modern pipes feature a built-in handle to make your task easier, older pipes may require a flathead screwdriver to close. In either scenario, you’ll need to turn the valve 90 degrees to turn off the water supply to the toilet, allowing you to confidently finish the rest of your task.
Organise the Space
Whether tiled or covered in another water-tight material, your bathroom floor is waterproof. Still, you don’t want to spend any time cleaning up the contents of your toilet.
In light of this, it is worthwhile to take a few minutes to tidy up the area around your toilet to avoid a more involved clean-up.
Suppose you have a complete blockage and a pan full of water. In that case, this can be as simple as laying some old newspapers or unused towels around the base of your toilet to trap and absorb any water that might escape.
Put On Rubber Gloves
Ideally, you won’t have to put your hands in anything nasty, but protecting them is still important. Any set of long rubber gloves will do the trick; just make sure there are no holes because you might be handling deadly bacteria. To prevent the spread of germs, keep your kitchen gloves separate and only use them to clean the toilet.
Try To Remove
Check to see if you can see the obstruction before going to the nearest hardware store, and if so, make an effort to move or remove it. The clog may be sufficiently broken up with a toilet brush to allow it to move through the plumbing system.
However, if you’re reading this, you probably need to use your brush more effectively.
A stick can provide a stiffer answer, but select something that won’t damage your toilet’s finish. An old wooden broom handle works well for this purpose. You should also be prepared to throw off this object once finished.
You’ll need to employ plumbing tools if the forceful approach fails.
Plunger
Using a plunger is one of the best techniques to clean a toilet obstruction.
Instead of the conventional semicircular sink plunger you should use a toilet plunger since it has an extension collar. This long portion can be inserted deeper into the syphon to provide considerably stronger suction.
Don’t use too much effort since the vacuum effect could shoot dirty water over the surrounding area. Press your plunger on the syphon and start softly plunging (including you).
Your plunger should ideally be completely submerged because doing so will assist in sealing the area surrounding it and increase the pressure applied to the obstruction when it is pushed there.
Chemicals
There are numerous purported chemical treatments for clogged toilets. These include natural solutions like baking soda and vinegar and synthetic goods like bleach or drain cleaner.
These remedies may be effective if your blockage is due to an accumulation of dirt and filth in your pipes. Still, in many cases, you’ll merely be adding potentially hazardous chemicals to a toilet that is already clogged. Long-term use of stronger chemicals (inevitable if they become trapped in the toilet by a blockage) can also harm the finish of ceramic toilets.
Wear rubber gloves and safety goggles if you’ve already tried the chemical technique before moving on to the next stages. You don’t want the bleach to splash in your face during the plunge, which may be a messy affair.
Request a Plumber
Calling a plumber is the last recommendation in any DIY plumbing guide. There’s no shame in calling a plumber if your toilet is blocked, even though it may seem extravagant. This is especially true if you’ve tried the other solutions and failed.
It is preferable to seek a professional for assistance rather than tearing apart your pipes if the clog is difficult to remove with a plumbing snake or is located inside the interior of the toilet. A plumber can utilise expert tools to clear the obstruction while thoroughly cleaning the remainder of your plumbing to ensure future functionality.
If you are experiencing a blocked toilet and require immediate assistance, our fully skilled plumber is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for residential and commercial customers. Call Harvey Plumbing and Gas on 0428 833 077.