Ah, the dreaded blocked toilet; the modern-day nightmare of us all. We’ve all experienced the horror of seeing our toilet chock-full of water, unable to flush, and that funny smell in the air. It’s no wonder we dread it so! But here’s the good news: unblocking a toilet isn’t as hard as you may think. With the right knowledge and tools, identifying and fixing the source of the blockage can be a surprisingly straightforward process. So don’t lose hope – this post will give you all the steps and advice you need to find the cause of the blockage and unblock it quickly and easily. No more smelly toilets for you! Let’s take the plunge and get that toilet flowing again.
Quick Definition
To identify the source of a blocked toilet, your best bet is to use a plumber’s snake or auger. A plumber’s snake is a tool specifically designed to manoeuvre through narrow pipes and break up clogs.
Causes of Blocked Toilets
Blocked toilets are one of the most frustrating aspects of home maintenance and plumbing. Many things can clog toilets, such as excess toilet paper, hygiene products, diaper wipes, diapers, toys, and even hard objects like rocks. Knowing what causes blockages in your toilet can help you prevent them from occurring.
The primary cause of toilet blockages is foreign objects becoming lodged in the drainage pipes or sewers. These may have been caused by improper disposal of items such as wet wipes, rags, hair, or plastics that don’t break down easily in water. Other factors which can contribute to a blocked toilet include tree roots clogging the drains and mineral deposits or limescale forming on the inside walls of the pipes. This build-up reduces drainage and eventually blocks the flow of water completely.
Finally, deteriorating pipe materials may also lead to blockages due to cracks or loose connections between pipes allowing small objects to lodge themselves in the gaps. With this knowledge it’s clear that prevention, rather than repair will save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run.
Allowing Sewage to Back Up into the Toilet Bowl
When the blockage is severe, a toilet can become completely blocked. In some cases, this can cause the sewage to back up into the toilet bowl. This situation is undesirable as it results in untreated waste material entering the home’s septic system.
Those that support allowing sewage to back up into the toilet bowl and remain there argue it gives them time to find and repair or replace the blockage problem without having to experience any odours or mess while doing so.
On the other hand, those who oppose this approach point out that leaving the sewage in the bowl allows bacteria, pathogens, and pollutants to dissipate into the air of your home, risking your health and general living environment. Furthermore, if left unaddressed for too long, these issues may lead to structural damage in and around your toilet due to corrosion from the various pollutants.
To ensure a clean and healthy environment for you and your family, it is important to identify and properly resolve any blockages as soon as they are discovered and not leave them lingering in the pipes or toilet bowl. By addressing any clogs or blockages immediately, you can avoid health concerns associated with stagnant wastewater while reducing the risk of permanently damaging your bathroom fixture.
As identifying and correcting a source of a blocked toilet establishes the basis for a successful fix, transitioning to this section will ensure all readers understand how to evaluate each potential obstruction correctly.
Main Points to Remember
To prevent health risks and structural damage to the toilet, it is important to identify and address clogs or blockages immediately. Failing to do so can cause bacteria, pathogens and pollutants to dissipate into the air of your home, as well as corrode surrounding fixtures. It is essential to understand how to accurately evaluate each potential obstruction for a successful resolution.
Identifying the Source of the Blockage
Identifying the source of a blocked toilet can be a daunting task, even for experienced plumbers. But regardless of whether the clog is due to bulky items, such as toys and wipes, or thick grease that has built up over time, it is important to take a two-pronged approach: identify the cause and then try and remove it.
To determine whether an item is causing the blockage (rather than grease or mineral deposits), testing what happens when flushing can be telling. If water backs up into the room instead of disappearing down the drain with each flush, that’s likely a sign that a plunger won’t be enough to clear the issue. In this case, it is more likely something like a toy, paper towels, or hygiene products have caused an obstruction. However, if flushing still works but just isn’t going all the way down, that usually means there is some form of sludge or grease built up in the trap or drainpipe. It is also possible for multiple causes to contribute to a blockage; for example, wet wipes combined with sticky cleaner residue could create a stubborn clog.
With this rough idea of what might be causing the blockage established, you can now move on to exploring how to use a plunger to attempt to remove it.
Using a Plunger to Remove the Clog
Once you have identified the source of the blockage, using a plunger is a common and effective method for resolving most clogs in toilets. A plunger is relatively affordable and easy to use, making it an ideal tool for unblocking toilets. To use it effectively, first fill the toilet bowl by adding several liters of water to the bowl until it covers the bell of the plunger; this will create a seal between the plunger and toilet creating maximum pressure. Then apply steady and powerful pressure strokes with your plunger while keeping its head in place at all times. Repeat this process 8 to 10 times, taking care not to splash water too much.
On one hand, if done correctly, plunging can be very effective for dislodging clogs caused by objects such as toys or paper towels as well as typical waste build-up. Additionally, a plunger should easily break up minor obstructions such as hair or food particles we usually do not take into account when flushing that sink further into our plumbing system causing them to accumulate over time. However, on the other hand there are many cases where plunging the toilet isn’t enough to dislodge more stubborn clogs. This is particularly true of those related to tree roots and other foreign materials that must be physically removed from access points in order to clear a path through the pipes again.
As we have seen, using a plunger can be an effective way to remove blockages from your toilet but may not be enough depending on what caused it in the first place. In some cases additional measures may be required to fully solve your plumbing problem which will be explored next.
- A survey of over 2,000 homeowners found that 65% of all toilet blocks were caused by items flushed down the loo, such as wet wipes and cotton buds.
- According to Plumbingology, a plumbing website, 60% of all toilet blocks reported by plumbers were caused by clogs due to excess toilet paper in the pipes.
- The same survey found that tree roots accounted for 17% of all reported loo blockages.
Inspecting Access Points for Blockages
Once a plunger has been used, it is time to inspect the different access points of the toilet for any blockage that might be present. The first point of inspection should be the internal edges of the opening where the seat meets the bowl. Sometimes items such as paper towels, feminine products and even children’s toys can cause a blockage in this area. If the inspection shows no signs of anything abnormal then move on to check around the base and up into the drain pipe.
In some cases, rust build-up may cause some issues, while other times large pieces of debris or clogged hair can also be present. If any blockage is found during inspection, removing it should take care of the issue. Finally, if nothing is spotted upon visual inspection make sure to keep an eye out for any small objects that may have slipped down during plunging activities before going any further.
To ensure that all sources of blockage are removed, it will now be necessary to use a suction cup tool to fully clear away any materials that may be obstructing drainage pathways. This method is simple and effective and can often help eliminate stubborn blockages that standard plunging techniques fail to address.
Clearing Debris With a Suction Cup Tool
Clearing debris with a suction cup tool is an inexpensive and effective way to remove blockage from a toilet. For those who may not be comfortable or familiar with plumbing, the suction cup tool is easy to use and can be found at most local hardware stores. This small device works through using suction to force clogs out of the toilet’s access points.
When using the suction cup tool, it is important to be careful. While most items that cause blockages can be dislodged with this device, it can also become damaged if metal objects are accidentally caught in the apparatus. To avoid damage, inspect any potential blockages before beginning, and make sure that no metal objects are present within the area.
Due to its ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and general effectiveness, many plumbers swear by this tool for fixing simple clogs. It can quickly get rid of issues that may have previously caused quite a headache. Additionally, when dealing with smaller blockages like paper towels or hair build-up, the suction cup tool makes quick work of these type of scenarios.
Inspecting access points certainly gives an idea where the blockage might lay but at times other methods need to be used for complete removal. After carefully analysing your sanitation system’s entry points and utilizing a suction cup if necessary, your next step should be identifying possible causes for any remaining blockage.
Other Possible Causes of Blocked Toilets
Though debris and materials such as toilet paper, waste, and other objects may be the usual culprits for causing blockages in a toilet, there could also be some underlying factors that contribute to blocked toilets. One possible cause is an issue with plumbing fixture located inside the tank of the toilet, notably a flapper valve undercut or water pressure imbalance, something that requires professional attention. In some cases it could also simply be an issue with obstructions and limescale due to calcium build-up in the toilet bowl due to hard water. This can often occur if someone lives in an area where the water is very ‘hard’, i.e. with high mineral content.
Also, in older homes and buildings it’s not uncommon to see trees roots intruding into pipes due to corrosion or a leaking joint leading to this kind of internal blockage, another situation where the help of a plumbing professional can prove useful to making sure all necessary repairs are made based on how serious the problem may be.
Remaining vigilant about what enters into your bathroom pipes can go a long way as well; like trying not to pour anything other than human waste and tissue down them which can clog up your system over time with items that don’t break down easily when exposed to water like grease or oil.
It’s always important to investigate all aspects when unblocking a toilet so that you can identify and fix whatever source might be causing the blockage promptly. To make sure this is properly taken care of before transitioning to checking for blockages in sinks and drains, any further suspected causes should still be investigated and those that require professional help should immediately be attended too before progressing any further.
Blockages in Sinks and Drains
In addition to toilets, blockages can occur in sinks and drains. Generally, these blockages are a result of an accumulation of soap residue or hair that accumulates in the pipes over time. This can be especially common in kitchen sinks where food debris may also get stuck in the drain. Depending on the severity, you may be able to clear clogged drains with chemicals and a plunger.
Chemical cleaners contain active enzymes that will eat away at the build up and unblock the sink/drain. Plungers may be able to successfully push the build-up downward to break off any stuck material. For those who are concerned about caustic chemical cleaners, there are alternative solutions such as a liquid mixture of vinegar and baking soda or a mixture of salt and boiling water. While for more stubborn blockages a plumber may be required.
No matter the cause of your clog, identifying it is the first step before choosing how to treat it. After identifying where the blockage is coming from and determining if it is manageable without calling a professional service, follow proper safety procedures before attempting any kind of unblocking process. With proactive preventative measures such as installing mesh sieves in your sink drains and regularly cleaning shower heads and drain traps you can lessen the chances of dealing with blockages.
With this understanding, you can now move onto tackling blocked toilets with greater confidence and clarity.
Cleaning Out Blocked Toilets
When it comes to cleaning out a blocked toilet, the debate can get heated. On one side are those that advocate for the use of chemical drain cleaners. This type of cleaner can be effective in breaking up certain types of blockages caused by soap build-up or other organic materials. However, they can also cause damage to pipes if not used properly, making them a risky choice for DIYers.
On the other hand are those that favour physical methods for unblocking toilets, such as using a plunger or auger to break apart blockages and flush out debris. Physical methods are generally considered to be safer and more reliable than chemical drain cleaners but can be labour-intensive and may require multiple attempts before finally unblocking a toilet.
There are pros and cons to both approaches, so it’s important to assess the situation carefully before deciding which method is best suited for dealing with your particular blockage. If the clog appears to be minor, then a plunger or auger may do the trick without risking further damage from chemical drain cleaners. In more serious cases, however, it may be best to call a professional plumber who can determine the root cause of the blockage and determine which course of action is necessary for clearing it out safely and effectively.
Ultimately, the decision boils down to whether you want to take on more advanced plumbing work yourself or leave it in the hands of someone with more experience. No matter which route you decide to take, make sure that you understand the ramifications of each approach so that you can adequately prepare for whatever outcome arises from your chosen solution.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do to diagnose the cause of a blocked toilet?
When diagnosing a blocked toilet, the first thing to do is to check what items have been put down the toilet that could potentially cause a blockage. Items such as feminine hygiene products, diapers, wipes, and paper towels should never be flushed down the toilet due to their likelihood of causing clogs. If you suspect these items are the source of the blockage, you’ll need to use a plunger or snake to remove them.
If this does not resolve your issue, it may be due to an obstruction inside the toilet’s plumbing system. This is usually caused by mineral deposits, tree roots, or other debris blocking the pipes. A plumber may be able to diagnose this issue using a sewer camera and take appropriate corrective action.
Finally, if the problem seems to persist despite the efforts above, its worth checking if any vents might be blocked or disconnected near the toilet system. Proper air flow ensures that waste can pass quickly and easily through your pipes and having it disconnected or blocked can cause toilets to backup frequently. Checking these items may help identify the true cause of your blocked toilet.
How can I tell if the blockage is in the main sewer line or in the toilet itself?
The best way to tell if the blockage is in the main sewer line or in the toilet itself is by checking for other signs of a blockage outside of the toilet. For example, check for slow drains, gurgling sounds coming from other plumbing fixtures, and/or backed up water from other drainage systems. If you identify any of these signs, it’s likely that the blockage is in the main sewer line and will require professional help. On the other hand, if there aren’t any signs outside of your toilet, then chances are the blockage is inside the bowl or pipe within the toilet itself. To locate this type of blockage, you can use a plunger, an auger, or an additive to try to clear it out yourself. However, if neither of these options works then you should contact an experienced plumber to unclog your toilet and determine what kind of pipe repairs may be necessary.
What are the common signs of a blocked toilet?
The most common signs of a blocked toilet are:
1. Slow drainage- water will take much longer to drain out than usual
2. Overflowing bowl – The toilet bowl may be filled with water and overflowing onto the floor
3. Clogged plumbing – You may notice that pipes downstream from the toilet are beginning to back-up, indicating a blockage farther down in the plumbing system
4. Unpleasant odours – Bad smells coming from your toilet usually indicate some type of clog
5. Multiple flushes – This is especially true if the water comes partially up and then goes back down, over and over again without draining properly.
If you encounter any of these signs when using the toilet, it is likely that there is a blockage that needs to be identified and fixed in order to restore normal functionality to your bathroom facilities.
