Dealing with a blocked toilet can be unnerving, especially for beginners. The last thing anyone wants in their home is an overflowing bowl and an unpleasant smell lingering in the bathroom.
Luckily, fixing a blocked toilet is easier than it may seem. With the right tools and a little bit of patience, anyone can unclog a toilet and avoid a costly visit from a plumber.
In this beginner’s guide, we will walk you through the simple steps to fix a blocked toilet and have your bathroom back to normal in no time. So, roll up your sleeves, put on some gloves, and let’s get started.
Beginner-Friendly Plumbing Kit
One part of your preparation involves creating a plumbing kit with essential tools and solutions. These tools will help you clear the clog and restore proper flushing.
Here are some of the must-have items for a plumbing kit:
- Plunger: A plunger is a classic tool that every homeowner should have. It is an effective tool that clears minor toilet clogs without causing damage to the toilet or pipes.
- Toilet auger: An auger is a flexible cable that can reach deep into the toilet drain to break up tough clogs. It is easy to use and can handle most blockages.
- Drain snake: A drain snake is a long, flexible tool that can help you reach deeper into the toilet or pipe to clear stubborn blockages.
- Rubber gloves: Gloves are essential when dealing with a blocked toilet. They protect your hands from germs and bacteria and prevent any unpleasant messes.
- Cleaning supplies: It is important to have some cleaning supplies on hand to sanitise the toilet and surrounding area after unclogging it.
More importantly, read the instruction manual and understand how each tool works. You can easily tackle any minor toilet clogs independently with the right tools and a little know-how.
Reasons for Clogging Toilets
Toilets clog for various reasons. Knowing those reasons can help you prevent your toilet from clogging in the first place. As they say, prevention is better than the antidote.
Some of the most common reasons:
- Too much toilet paper: Excessive amounts of toilet paper can easily clog the toilet, especially if it is thick or not designed to break down quickly. In this regard, plumbers in Geelong suggest using one-ply toilet paper or something with a “sewer safe” label.
- Flushing non-degradable items: Flushing items that do not belong in the toilet, such as baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, and dental floss, can get caught in the plumbing and cause a blockage.
- Hard water: Hard water can cause mineral buildup in the toilet’s pipes and reduce the water flow.
- Foreign objects: Small objects, such as toys or jewellery, can accidentally fall into the toilet and cause a blockage.
- Tree roots: It is less known, but tree roots can affect a home’s plumbing system. Tree roots can invade the sewer line and cause a blockage in the toilet. If this happens, you need the help of a blocked toilet specialist in Geelong.
- Ageing plumbing system: Old or corroded pipes can become clogged with debris over time and eventually cause a blockage. If you have moved into a relatively old house, you may have to take extra care of your plumbing.
Now that you know the common culprits of blocked toilets in Geelong, beware of them. In a nutshell, flush only degradable items and have regular plumbing inspections.
Unclogging a Toilet
Fixing a blocked toilet does not always need a plumber. You can finish the job yourself if you follow the steps below.
Step 1: Identify the blockage
The first step in fixing a blocked toilet is to identify the blockage. People often overlook blocked toilets until it overflows.
So, when you notice your toilet flushes or drains slowly, consider it on the verge of clogging and do what is necessary to fix it.
Step 2: Gather the tools
When you realise your toilet is blocked, try some natural solutions such as boiling water. It should clear the block if it is mild. Otherwise, you would have to take out your plumbing kit.
Find the relevant tools to get started. Start by wearing rubber gloves and a face mask. Then read the instruction manual before using any tool if it is your first time.
Step 3: Start with a plunger
The plunger is one of the most effective tools for fixing a blocked toilet. To use a plunger, ensure enough water is in the toilet bowl to cover the plunger. Place the plunger over the blocked drain and push down firmly.
Pull up slowly and repeat until the blockage breaks.
Step 4: Use a plumbing snake
Use a plumbing snake if the plunger does not work. Insert the plumbing snake into the toilet bowl and turn the handle clockwise. Keep pushing the snake until you feel resistance, then turn the handle counterclockwise to break up the blockage.
Repeat this until the clog breaks.
Step 5: Call a professional plumber in Geelong
If you have tried all the above steps and the toilet remains blocked, it may be time to call a professional plumber. An expert will have the expertise and tools to fix the blocked drains in Geelong quickly and efficiently.
One final suggestion is to keep the contact information of a few plumbers, as a blocked toilet can turn into an emergency at any time. You also need to call the expert if none of the above techniques works because the problem might be bigger than anticipated.
Conclusion
Fixing a blocked toilet is not as difficult as it may appear. Following this guide, you can fix a blocked toilet in no time. Remember always to wear rubber gloves when dealing with a blocked toilet and to follow proper sanitation practices.
On that note, here is our recommendation for the best plumbing services: Your Local Plumbing
Add this to your list. Because YLP provides 24/7 emergency plumber services, it can come in handy at critical times.
