How To Deal With a Blocked Toilet
Got a Blocked Toilet? Here’s What To Do
A blocked toilet is never ideal, especially when you rely on it every day, so it’s important to deal with the issue quickly before it becomes worse. Whether the water is draining slowly, the toilet won’t flush properly or the bowl is starting to fill up, we are here to help you unblock your toilet.
The good news is that some minor blockages can be cleared with a few simple steps. However, if the blockage won’t shift, keeps coming back or is affecting other drains in your home, it could be a sign of a bigger plumbing or drainage issue.
Here’s what to do if you’re dealing with a blocked toilet and when it’s time to call a professional plumber.
What Causes a Blocked Toilet?
Toilets are designed to handle toilet paper and waste, but flushing the wrong things can quickly lead to blockages.
Common causes include:
- wet wipes and cleaning wipes
- flushing too much toilet paper
- children’s toys or other objects accidentally dropped into the toilet
- build-up within the pipework
- problems further along the drainage system
If your toilet keeps blocking even though you are careful about what you flush, there could be an underlying issue that needs investigating.
What to Do When Your Toilet Is Blocked
If you notice your toilet is blocked, don’t panic. There are a few things you can try before calling a professional.
Stop Flushing
The first thing to do is stop flushing the toilet.
If the water isn’t draining properly, another flush could cause the bowl to overflow. This can quickly turn a relatively simple blockage into a much bigger problem.
If the water level is already high, leave the toilet alone and allow it to settle before attempting anything else.
Turn Off the Water Supply
If the toilet is continuing to fill or you’re worried about it overflowing, turn off the water supply. Most toilets have an isolation valve on the pipe leading into the cistern. Turning this off stops more water entering the toilet while you deal with the blockage.
Try a Toilet Plunger
A suitable toilet plunger can often clear a straightforward blockage.
Place the plunger firmly over the toilet outlet and make sure you have a good seal. Use steady, controlled movements to create pressure within the pipework. You may need to repeat this several times before the blockage starts to move.
Once the water begins to drain, don’t immediately flush the toilet several times. Instead, allow the water to drain away and check that the toilet is working normally.
What Not to Do When Your Toilet is Blocked
When you’re faced with a blocked toilet, it can be tempting to try anything to get it flowing again. However, some DIY solutions can make the situation worse. You should avoid:
- repeatedly flushing the toilet
- using unsuitable objects to try to force the blockage through
- ignoring a toilet that repeatedly blocks
- assuming the problem is fixed just because the water eventually drains
If you’re unsure what has caused the blockage or your attempts haven’t worked, professional help is often the safest option. As a CIPHE member, you have peace of mind that your bathroom is in safe hands.
When To Call a Plumber for a Blocked Toilet
You should consider calling a plumber if:
- the blockage will not clear with a plunger
- the toilet keeps blocking
- the toilet is overflowing
- you can hear bubbling or gurgling from the drains
- other sinks, baths or toilets are also draining slowly
- you don’t feel confident dealing with the blockage yourself
A professional plumber can identify the cause of the blockage and use the right equipment to clear it without causing unnecessary damage to your plumbing.
Could It Be More Than a Blocked Toilet?
Sometimes, a blocked toilet isn’t actually caused by a problem with the toilet itself.
If your toilet is blocked at the same time as your sink, bath or other drains are slow, the problem could be further down the drainage system. You might also notice unpleasant smells, gurgling noises or water backing up into other fixtures.
These are signs that the issue could be more extensive than a simple toilet blockage.
Rather than repeatedly trying to clear each individual fixture, it’s worth getting the problem investigated by a professional. Finding the underlying cause can help prevent the same issue from happening again.
How to Prevent Your Toilet From Blocking Again
Once you’ve dealt with a blocked toilet, a few simple habits can help reduce the chances of it happening again.
Only flush toilet paper and waste down the toilet. Items such as wipes, sanitary products, nappies, cotton buds and paper towels should go in the bin rather than down the toilet.
It’s also worth paying attention to changes in how your toilet behaves. If it’s flushing more slowly than usual, making unusual noises or regularly struggling to drain, don’t ignore it. Getting the problem checked early could prevent a more serious blockage later.
Blocked Toilet? We’re Here to Help
A blocked toilet can quickly become more than just an inconvenience, particularly if it’s overflowing or affecting other plumbing in your home.
If you’ve tried to unblock your toilet and it’s still not draining properly, our plumbers can help. We can deal with a blocked toilet and a range of other plumbing problems, helping to identify the cause and get your system working properly again.
Don’t let a blocked toilet turn into a bigger plumbing problem. Get in touch with our team today for professional help with your blocked toilet or any other plumbing issue.