At first, dealing with a blocked toilet might not seem like all that big a deal. Eventually, who have been through such an experience know how difficult and crucial it is to get the job done properly. Having a clogged toilet obviously means you can’t use it, but it can also cause health and environmental problems if it is not fixed promptly.
Detailing the symptoms, reasons and possible solutions to the problem, this article should help you next time you have to fix up a blocked toilet.
Signs that you’ve got a blocked toilet
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the toilet is clogged. There are a few clear signs that indicate a blockage in the toilet. If the toilet overflows when you flush or it’s taking a longer than expected for the water to go down, you can be fairly certain that there is a blockage of some kind.
What causes a blocked toilet
There are numerous reasons as to why you’ve got yourself a blocked toilet.
- Flushing or attempting to flush objects such as nappies, baby wipes, tampons, cotton balls or clothes can quite easily cause a blockage.
- That said, the most common cause is actually toilet paper. This usually happens because people dispose of too much toilet paper in a single flush or use paper that doesn’t dissolve fast enough.
- In addition, sanitary napkins, menstrual pads, and tampons can also clog your toilet as they are big and do not dissolve in a short time.
- Children may also cause the problem by trying to flush their toys down the toilet.
How to fix a blocked toilet
Lucky for you, there are reliable ways of fixing a clogged toilet. It takes hard work, preparation and a few tools to get the job done.
Once you have found that there is a blockage in the toilet, you should turn the water supply of the toilet off immediately and make sure there is proper ventilation. You will also need heavy-duty rubber gloves and some tools such as a plunger or a plumbing snake. A plunger is the most helpful and effective tool to fix a blocked toilet.
If you know that there is something clogging your toilet, you should get a large heavy-duty rubber plunger with a tight seal. Rinse the plunger with hot water. This will make it more flexible and allow you to push it into the toilet bowl firmly and slowly. Hopefully, it will solve your problem.
If you see that the plunger is not working, you might also use a wire coat hanger or a plumbing snake to pull out the materials clogging your toilet. A wired coat hanger is a cheap solution, but it is less effective than the plumbing snake as it does not reach as far.
You might also use a dry or wet vacuum cleaner as well. However, if all of these tools fail, you might consider using environmentally friendly enzyme-based cleaning solutions, which are easily purchased at certain stores. If you still can’t unblock the toilet or you just don’t think you’re cut out for the job, as a Melbourne resident, it’s best to hire a local plumber in Templestowe.
