Facing a blocked toilet can throw a real spanner in your day. Surprisingly, it’s one of the most common household issues across Australia. This post will guide you through simple steps on how to unblock a toilet, ensuring you’re not left in the lurch.
Keep reading, and let’s get that problem flushed away!
Common Causes of a Blocked Toilet
Toilets are blocked for a variety of reasons. A lot of toilet paper usually causes issues. Children also play a part in the process of flushing toys or other big items into the toilet. Another issue is flushing items that shouldn’t go in the toilet, such as cotton pads, wet wipes as well as feminine products.
Although some wipes are “flushable,” they don’t dissolve as easily and can lead to blockages.
Oil and grease are the other sources of contamination in toilets, clinging to pipes and trapping any other waste that goes through. If you live in areas with hard water, the buildup of minerals may also cause pipes to narrow in time, which makes it easier for clogs occur.
Monitoring what is flushed down the toilet is crucial to avoid these common blockage causes.
DIY Methods to Unblock a Toilet
Cleaning a toilet that is blocked isn’t always a requirement for the help of a plumber. Simple solutions at home can usually solve the problem.
The dishwashing soap is hot and the water warm.
Pouring hot water along with some dish soap into the toilet will do wonders. The first step is to let the hot water coming from the faucet sit for a couple of minutes until it gets really warm. After that, pour some detergent directly in the bathroom bowl.
The soap aids in breaking down whatever is responsible for the blockage, which makes the process easier for flushing. After mixing the ingredients and letting it sit for a couple of minutes before flushing again. This procedure is easy however it is effective for a lot of small blockages.
A second attempt using just hot water could be the solution in case it’s still not flushing properly. This method is ideal since it doesn’t need expensive tools or chemicals that can harm your pipes or the surrounding environment.
In addition, most people have dish soap in their homes This makes one of the simplest methods of attempting to repair a clogged toilet yourself.
Baking soda and vinegar
After experimenting with hot water or washing-up liquid, it’s now time to get vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. This combination is a DIY delight. The first step is to pour a cup of bicarbonate of sodium into the toilet bowl.
After that, slowly adding two cups white vinegar. Then, watch them mix – they’ll explode! This action helps reduce the obstruction. Allow it to sit for a couple of minutes before flushing the toilet.
The bubbling action helps remove clogs through the dissolution of gunk that could be causing the issue.
You might need to repeat this procedure multiple times if your block is very difficult. For the best results, you should do it prior to bed and then go to bed for a night. This way the solution can have hours to do its work on the issue without interruption.
Additionally that, making use of these kitchen staples helps you avoid harsh chemicals – great information for pipes as well as the environment!
Homemade drain cleaner
You can make your own drain cleaner from items in your kitchen. Make a mixture of half an cup baking soda with half a cup vinegar. Pour this mixture into the toilet blockage. Give it a few hours before flushing with hot water.
This method can break up the blockage without the use of harsh chemicals.
Utilizing this DIY cleaner regularly helps to keep toilets running smoothly. This cleaner is safe for your pipes as well as the environment. Additionally, it can save costs compared to the store-bought ones. Cleaning your toilet of blocks is a simple method!
DIY vacuuming and drain snake
Making your drain snake yourself is easy and can save your life. Get a coat hanger from a wire and straighten it. Create an incredibly small hook by bent the other end. The homemade snake will grab onto the gunk that blocks your toilet by pushing it back and turn it around.
Avoid damaging your bathroom.
If that doesn’t work try vacuuming out the blockage. Don’t choose any vacuum. You need an wet-and-dry model that is able to take on water. Put on gloves and take the most water you can out of the container, and put the hose of your vacuum in the drain opening to remove the blockage.
Let’s now discuss how to prevent from clogging toilets in the very first place.
How to Prevent Clogged Toilets
To keep your toilet clean of blockages starts with smart usage. Things like excessive newspaper and toilet paper that flushes do nothing to help.
Proper use of toilet paper
To ensure your toilet is running smoothly, you must be aware of the amount of toilet paper you are using. It is advisable to only fill the toilet with the amount you require and not use too many. This can stop blockages which can result in bigger issues.
Also, show kids the proper amount of paper to use. They may not realize how easy it is to use excessive paper to create an obstruction.
The right kind of toilet paper is equally important. Choose a roll that breaks easily when soaked in water. Certain brands do better than others. If everyone at home is using just enough, and chooses the best one and you’ll avoid having to deal when you have toilets that are blocked.
These tiny steps can will make a huge difference in ensuring that everything runs smoothly without the need for frequent fixes.
Avoid using toilet fresheners
Toilet fresheners seem handy for keeping the bathroom smelling nice. Yet, they can cause trouble in your toilet. These products often break down and clog pipes or get caught in the drain.
Clogs lead to bigger blockages that are hard to fix. Instead, clean regularly with basic cleaners to keep it fresh without risking a block.
Dropping one of these into the bowl might seem like a quick fix for odors, but it’s not worth the hassle of unblocking your toilet later on. Simple cleaning routines are better for keeping everything running smoothly and avoiding unwanted visits from a plumber.
Professional Help and Tips
Sometimes, a toilet that’s blocked requires more than an easy solution. This is the time when you require the help of experts or make use of special equipment to eliminate the blockage.
Enzyme-based chemical drain cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners based on enzymes provide an effective and safe method to unblock the obstructions of toilets. They use natural enzymes to break up the substances that cause the obstruction, including hair grease, organic matter.
This method is mild on the plumbing system, which makes it a superior choice instead of harsh chemicals that can harm pipes.
The enzyme cleaners are simple to use. Simply add them to your toilet and allow them to do for a few hours. When you wake up the enzymes should have absorbed a large portion of the blockage, which will allow you to flush out the issue easily.
Additionally, they’re environmentally friendly – an advantage for your home and the environment!
Services for plumbing
Plumbing companies can solve the most difficult clogs on toilets. They are equipped with the latest tools and techniques that we don’t have. For instance plumbing professionals might employ an drain snake that is professional grade to penetrate deep into drains and eliminate obstructions.
This type of equipment is stronger than anything you can buy at a shop.
They also offer suggestions on how to ensure your toilet runs smoothly. The plumber may recommend installing certain kinds of waste bins for things which shouldn’t go into the toilet, or suggest particular cleaning supplies that are suitable for plumbing systems.
The help of professionals can help you save time and safeguard your home from damage caused by overflows or backups.
Tips for avoiding future clogs
To ensure the toilets run smoothly, you should only flush humans’ waste as well as toilet papers. A lot of blockages are caused by other waste products that are flushed away. It’s easy to flush items like wipes, however even the ones that are labeled “flushable” can cause clogs as time passes.
Make sure that everyone in the home comply with this policy for a safe and clean toilet.
Regular cleaning can also help. Use gentle cleaners to prevent harming the pipes. Every now and then you can pour hot water into the toilet to remove any signs of accumulation before they become major issues.
Keep these suggestions in mind can help you avoid any future problems and calls to seek help.
We’ll now look at how to remove difficult staining…
Conclusion
It’s not that difficult. There are plenty of DIY techniques to try, such as hot water mixed with cleaning liquid or bicarbonate vinegar and soda. If these don’t work, you can always try enzyme-based cleaners, or calling professionals.
To keep clogs at bay, you must use toilet paper in the right way and not putting fresheners in the toilet. If you follow these steps the toilet will remain free of clogs and operating well.
