Blocked toilet – causes and solutions
Finding out that your toilet is blocked is not a pleasant experience. No-one wants to be stuck with a toilet that will not clear. It’s important that you try to resolve the issue as soon as you notice there is a problem with your toilet clearing when you flush. The longer you leave a blockage, the harder it is to deal with.
The good news is that you can normally deal with a blocked toilet yourself. We are going to talk about what can cause a toilet to become blocked in the first place. We are also going to give you some advice about how you can go about clearing a blockage once it happens.
Why does a toilet become blocked?
There is one main reason why toilet blockages occur. It’s the flushing of bulky items. It could be that your child has flushed a toy, or that someone has used, and flushed, too much toilet paper. Once the bulky item is flushed, it’s easy for it to become wedged in the toilet drain. This prevents anything else from travelling down the drain; hence your toilet no longer clears when you flush it.
If you notice any problems at all with the toilet clearing, you need to take action straight away.
What can you do to clear a blocked toilet?
We have said how important it is to deal with a blocked toilet quickly; but how do you do this? Let’s look at the actions you need to take.
The first thing to try is to use a plunger on the toilet. Remember that you need to plunge forcefully several times. If you do not have a plunger to hand, you can make your own tool. You just have to take a coat hanger and place a plastic bag over it. Make sure you tie the bag tightly. You can then use your self-made plunger to try and clear the blockage.
If using a plunger on the toilet does not work, you can try using a drain snake. You should be able to buy this implement from a local DIY store, or order one online. Using a drain snake enables you to gain access down the drain which makes it easier for you to remove the blockage. If you do not feel happy using a drain snake, or doing so is not successful, you can call a plumber in Mosman to help you. They can remove the blockage and return your toilet to full functionality.
If you discover that your toilet is blocked you should never hesitate to deal with the problem. In most cases, you should be able to clear the blockage yourself, by simply using a plunger. If this does not work, you can try using a drain snake, or you can call in the experts. Whatever you decide to do, you need to make sure that your toilet is cleared so that you can successfully flush it again.
