In many cases, there’s an easy solution. However, some blockages can be more stubborn than others and may require calling out a plumber. This post explores a few tips for battling a blocked toilet – including taking a look at a few common causes, identifying the right tool to use, flagging up mistakes to avoid and helping you to determine when to call for reinforcements.
Clogging culprits: What causes a toilet to clog?
Before we get our hands dirty (or at least rubber gloved), let’s start by understanding some of the common causes of a blocked toilet. Being aware of these causes can help you to prevent your toilet from becoming blocked in the first place, so that you don’t have to regularly end up in the same situation.
Many blockages are caused by what we put down our toilets. Most lavatories are designed purely to handle toilet paper and human waste. Anything else can cause a blockage. Common culprits to avoid putting down your toilet include:
- Female hygiene products
- Cotton swabs
- Dental floss
- Hair from the shower drain
- Nappies
- Wipes
The last one, wipes, is a particularly frequent offender. Even ‘flushable’ wipes should generally be avoided, as they don’t break down as easily as toilet paper even if they claim to be biodegradable. Other foreign objects like toys can also cause blockages (your toddler could be the villain here!). It’s also worth noting that using too much toilet paper – especially on a low-flow toilet – can also jam up your toilet, so try not to use excess toilet paper or flush half-way through wiping.
Your toilet and plumbing could also be to blame of course. Toilet pipes can become scaled up over time as a result of limescale (in hard water areas) or rust making them narrower. In ground floor toilets and outhouses, plumbing can even be disturbed by tree roots. Low-flow toilets and toilets with sharp bends in pipes are also more susceptible to blockages. If you’ve been experiencing frequent blockages and you’re being careful as to what you put down your toilet, consider whether it may be time to get a new throne. Don’t continue using an old or poorly designed toilet. Alternatively, consider whether your pipes need replacing.
Battling the blockage: choose your weapon
Prevention tips are no use if your toilet has already clogged. In this case, you need to work out how to battle the blockage. Arming yourself is the first step. Which weapon will you use to slay the blockage? There are three main tools that you can use to unblock a toilet: hot water, a plunger or a toilet auger. Let’s explore when and how to use each one.
Hot water
The simplest solution is to use hot water. This can help soften and break down organic matter trapped in your toilet u-bend.
Use a kettle or hob to heat up some water, but don’t let it reach boiling point (this may crack the porcelain). Pour it into the toilet from waist height so that the water has some force behind it. Leave it for 5 to 10 minutes and then flush. If the water level drops, you know you’ve succeeded (if it doesn’t, you can try repeating it, but be wary of the water level in the toilet bowl).
You can also add washing up liquid to a pan or bowl of hot water to serve as a lubricant and help loosen up the blockage. Some people also mix water with baking soda and white vinegar to create a fizzy reaction that can help break down organic matter. Experiment to see what works for you.
Plunger
If hot water isn’t working, a plunger may be the next best solution. You may even decide that it’s quicker to reach for a plunger straight away, however you’ll need to glove up as it could get messy.
There are two types of plunger: cup-style plungers and flange plungers. Cup style plungers are better suited to sinks and shower drains, whereas flange plungers are more effective on toilets.
To use a plunger, you need to ensure that there is plenty of water in the toilet bowl, as the plunger’s cup needs to be fully immersed. Position it over the drain hole at the bottom of the bowl and press down to create a tight seal. Then push down sharply several times for about 20 seconds to create suction and pressure. With any luck, this should dislodge the clog.
Toilet auger
Plungers are effective on 80% to 90% of clogs. For deeper and more stubborn blockages, it could be useful to own a toilet auger (also known as a ‘plumbing snake’). This is a flexible tool that can reach deep into the trap.
To use a toilet auger, feed it into the toilet drain and crank the handle clockwise while slowly pushing it forward. When you feel resistance, you know you have reached the obstruction – continue cranking to try to break through. If successful, you will start to see debris floating out and the water level will go down (it may be worth giving it another flush, but make sure to remove the toilet auger first).
Unclogging slip-ups to avoid
There are a few mistakes to avoid if you don’t want to damage your toilet or bathroom, or make the blockage worse:
- Don’t keep flushing the toilet if the water level is not going down. It will cause your toilet to overflow and you’ll have a lot of cleaning up to do.
- Don’t use boiling hot water. You don’t want to crack your toilet bowl.
- Don’t plunge too aggressively as this can potentially damage your toilet.
- Don’t try to make your own DIY toilet auger using a coat hanger. It could damage the toilet, push the blockage further or even get stuck in the pipe.
- Don’t use chemical drain cleaners. They may claim to free up obstruction and can work in many cases, but they can corrode pipes, leading to future headaches.
When to call for reinforcements
If you tried using hot water, a plunger and a toilet auger and had no joy, it may be time to call out a blocked drain plumber. Some blockages cannot be removed without removing the toilet or pipes, which is something you shouldn’t attempt to do yourself without plumbing experience and the right tools.
You should also consider hiring a plumber if multiple drains are backing up or if you’re getting sewage coming up out of your toilet. This is not a regular blockage, and will similarly require professional help to solve.
Conclusion
By considering all of these tips, you should be able to beat the blockage. Make sure to take care not to damage your toilet and pipes in the process and make sure to consider preventative measures so that you don’t have to deal with future clogs.