How to unblock a toilet
If your toilet has become blocked, before you call out a specialist, try our 5 easy and cost effective top tips to remove the blockage.
Toilets can block for a number of reasons, with the most common being a build up of too much toilet tissue. While toilet tissue is designed to break down in water some double quilted versions take a lot longer and too much put down the toilet in one go can easily create a blockage.
If your toilet is block by a foreign object that will not fit through the waste this will need to be removed manually as trying to push it through further will only create more issues.
1. Hot Water
The first and the most simplest way is using hot water, however this will generally only work if the blockage is partial. Before starting make sure the water in the toilet bowl is low, this method will not work if the toilet is filled to the brim. If this is the case you will need to remove the excess water into a bucket so that the water is only filled to just above the waste outlet. First put some washing up liquid down the waste outlet to help lubricate the area and wait 10 minutes and the pour 2-3 litres of hot water into the bowl in quick secession to create pressure. If the blockage doesn’t fall through try it again. If after a few attempts the blockage won’t budge then you will need to try an alternative method.
2. Plunger
First make sure you have a toilet plunger, these are generally larger than a sink plunger. You will also need a pair of gloves and some old towels to put on the floor around the toilet. The way the plunger works is by creating a vacuum to force the blockage through. To do this place the end of the plunger in the pan covering the waste outlet and then sharply pull the plunger up. Try this method a few time as this can usually take around 10-15 minutes to unblock the toilet. If you don’t have a plunger to hand you can use a household mop. Before you do this make you you cover the mop head in a plastic bag and seal it. The mop will work in a similar fashion to a plunger by creating a vacuum to dislodge the blockage.
3. Using a drain rod or coat hanger
This method helps dislodge the blockage by essentially threading a long flexible cable which has a corkscrew shaped tip which can help breakdown the blockage. If you do not have a drain rod you can use a metal coat hanger by unwinding it - if you have a metal one covered in plastic, even better as this will help protect your toilet from being scratched.
4. Baking Soda & Vinegar combo
Used together, these two household products create a powerful chemical reaction which help breakdown blockages. This method is only suitable for light blockages but can also help deodorise your toilets waste pipes. Again ensure that the toilet pan is not full before using so that they can both get to the waste outlet where the blockage is situated.
5. Use a chemical un-blocker
As a last resort before calling out a professional you can try using a store bought chemical un-blocker. Be cautious when using these products and always follow the instructions, such as ensuring safety protection is worn as these chemicals can be highly toxic. Once used always make sure you flush the chemicals through with warm water making sure the highly corrosive chemicals are not sitting in your pipes, as over time this could corrode them as well.
And finally in all the above fail give us a call.
