5 Ways to Unblock a Toilet

Unblocking a toilet is not as simple as it might sound. It can often require more than chemicals for a faster result. However, there is no need to call a plumber out at your expense, you can invest in a plunger and a toilet snake or auger. An inspection camera will also allow you to look at what is going on. Once you have these items, you can use them time and time again for future blockages. Having said this, if there is an ongoing problem and anything you do seems to be making it worse, it is probably best to call a professional to find out more on how to resolve the issue

The best way to prevent a toilet blockage in the first place is to adopt proper flushing. This means flushing in-between motions and not allowing too much toilet paper to find its way in the bowl. A common cause of blockages is trying to flush with too much paper inside the bowl. Also, putting things down the toilet that are not intended to be disposed of in that way. For example, baby wipes, nappies, and paper towels. These should never be flushed down a toilet. Failure to do this can cause some serious and costly plumbing problems, and you may have to visit somewhere similar to this website so that a plumber can repair your pipes.

So, let us continue to what we should do if we still manage to block our toilet.

Using Chemicals Around the Home

If you have baking soda and vinegar to hand you can use them to unblock a toilet. Pour a cup of baking soda (or bicarbonate of soda) into the toilet bowl, add to it a cup of white vinegar, then allow them to fizz together for 20 minutes before flushing. This will clear most toilet blockages and leave you with a fresher smell.

Enzyme Waste Products

Apart from home remedies, you could purchase an enzyme waste product to turn any waste material into liquid waste to help unblock your toilet. These products are available from DIY stores and are used in septic systems for the breaking down of waste. It will only, however, work on organic waste, not anything else that is stuck. If what is causing the blockage dissolves in water, the blockage will in time clear itself. Usually, you cannot wait that long, though.

Plunger

A toilet plunger will unblock a toilet by exerting pressure against the blockage inside the toilet’s U-bend. The force of using it should push whatever it is out so that the toilet bowel can then drain. It should be noted that you will need water in the toilet bowl so that you can plunge effectively. So, if the bowl is empty, make sure that water is added to the bowl before plunging.

Plumbing Snake or Toilet Auger?

A plumbing snake, or drain cable as they are sometimes called, will effectively unclog a sink but can scratch a porcelain toilet bowl. As would making one yourself out of a metal coathanger or piece of thick wire. The alternative is to use a toilet or closet auger. This is a plumbing snake but one that has had a protective sleeve fitted around it to protect your toilet bowl from any damage. They are the next option if a plunger does not work.

Inspection Camera

You can buy an inspection camera. These are available to householders and consist of a waterproof camera on the end of a flexible cable. A viewing screen will show you what is going on further down your toilet to help you decide best how to unblock it or, if it’s something more serious, you’ll know you’re going to need to call in a professional. If you do discover there is a problem with your pipes, have you heard about this trenchless sewer repair? It seems to be a much less intrusive than a normal sewer repair. When it comes to inspection cameras, budget ones will allow you to view what is going on through a laptop rather than on a screen that is part of the device. They are normally rechargeable.

So, we have to decide if chemicals are enough to unblock our toilet or we need to put in more effort and use either a plunger or a toilet auger. An inspection camera will help us to decide on the course of action. You can look into and beyond the U-bend. To be able to see what is going on is half the battle to solve the problem.

If you think you are still unable to get a hold of the situation, it would be best to seek the assistance of a plumber (like the ones found at https://serphomeliving.com/plumbing/profile/elite-plumbing-hydrojetting/)! While it will be a long and tedious process, they would atleast have the right tools for the job.

So, it is your call at the end of the day – whether you decide to get down and dirty to clean your clogged toilet or call in the professional! Everything truly depends on how much of the situation you are able to salvage on your own.