One of the most terrible conditions you could experience in a bathroom is having a blocked toilet. The inconvenience it brings is surely upsetting and the experience is really unpleasant. Fixing a blocked toilet seems to be simple but it is not; it involves a certain amount of courage to go on and attempt to remove the blockage yourself. It is one thing that most people do not want to handle because it is unsanitary, so they end up calling out for help.
There are certain signs to look for if you have indeed a blocked toilet.
If it takes a long time for the water to go down, then it can only mean that something is blocking it.
If it won't go down anymore and the water along with it just overflows out of the bowl, then this is a sign of a more serious problem as this indicates a bad clog.
There are many factors that contribute to a blocked toilet, and here are the most common of them.
The most common material that blocks a toilet is toilet paper. Too much toilet paper being used and dumped for a single flush can cause a blocked toilet. Some toilet papers do not dissolve easily and the buildup of this stuff happens over a period of time.
Kids also contribute to a blocked toilet. They throw in different items into the bowl and flush them. The usual items thrown in are toys and food.
Menstrual pads, tampons and sanitary napkins are also items that clog a toilet. These feminine hygiene products are big and will not dissolve easily thereby clogging up the toilet drains in such a short time.
Cotton balls and the likes are absorbent materials. When flushed down in any toilet, they will just buildup in its pipeline causing the toilet to become clogged.
Any kind of hair flushed down can cause a blockage especially when this is being done routinely. Hair usually gets tangled with other objects inside the pipes thereby creating a large obstruction.
Diapers and baby wipes are items that should not be flushed down the toilet. Diapers can cause instant clogging while baby wipes can build-up pretty quickly inside the pipes.
Common Methods to Clear a Blocked Toilet
If the toilet bowl is not overflowing, you can use a drain-opening chemical to soften or break down the materials that are causing the blockage. Pour the chemical into the toilet bowl and leave it for about 15 minutes. This should loosen up the blockage. The water level should go down at this point which indicates that the blockage is moving and the toilet may eventually drain on its own. When the water level is low, flush it once to finally clear out the blockage.
If the chemical doesn't work, there are still other options to try:
Use the Toilet Plunger
The plunger you use must have a fold out rubber cup that is definitely designed for the opening of a toilet trap.
Thrust the plunger into the opening then pull it back without the cup leaving the opening. Use an even force when thrusting and pulling back the plunger to have a solid close on the opening. Repeat it several times until you see the water go down to a low level.
Finally, flush the bowl once. If the water is still slow in going down, repeat the plunging process again. If the problem still persists, do the next option which is the toilet auger.
Use the Toilet Auger
The toilet auger is shaped like the letter "J" with a cable and a handle.
Fully expose the tip of the cable by pulling the handle all the way out.
Introduce the tip of the auger into the opening of the toilet trap.
Gradually drive the handle forward through the opening and turn the auger at the same time.
When all you can see is just the handle pull out the whole length and repeat the process at least 3 times to ensure the blockage has been removed.
Finally, flush the toilet once. The water and everything in it should freely flow down by now.
When you have tried all these methods and you still have a blocked toilet, the blockage is most likely located further down the pipeline or drain. If this is the case, it is time to call the experts in.
Author Resource:
I have worked in the drainage industry for a long time, over Twenty years in fact. Most of my time I have spent working for a company called Plumber London and I have seen some pretty sites and some not so pretty sites.
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