If you want to learn how to unblock a toilet drain DIY, there is no better teacher than an expert blocked drain plumber. Local plumbers who specialise in drainage know all the tips and secrets to fixing a clogged toilet fast. They can also tell you how to identify the cause of the blockage, which is essential to knowing how to fix a blocked toilet correctly.
How to unblock a toilet that is backing up or won't flush
A toilet that is backing up - ie overlfowing with raw sewerage - is stressful and unhygienic.
A toilet backup means there is a blockage somewhere in the sewer line preventing the water and waste from travelling freely through the pipes.
If the toilet isn't overflowing but fills up with water when flushed and drains very slowly this indicates are partial clog. This means there is a blockage in the line but there is still a small amount of room for the sewerage to pass through.
Either of these situations could be the result of one of two things. The first is a local clog. This means the obstruction is in the S-bend or in the pipes immediately attached to the toilet drain opening. The second possibility is that there is a main sewer line clog.
If there is a clog in the main sewer line, no amount of instructions on how to unblock the toilet will suffice. This is because blocked sewers are complex and require particular industry tools to repair Your best option is to call a local blocked drain plumber as soon as possible. A blocked sewer main affects all the drains in the home so you may notice:
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Multiple drains around the home blocking up
- Water draining slowly in multiple drains
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A bad smell coming out of multiple drains
If it’s a local clog that’s only impacting toilet drain, below are some tips you can try to fix the blocked toilet.
How to unblock a toilet with a drain plunger
In most cases a drain plunger can unblock a clogged toilet quickly. A drain plunger is most effective on clogs caused by excessive toilet paper, sanitary items or things like tissues and wet-wipes that are stuck in the S-bend. If the toilet is filled to the brim with water and waste, use a bucket to remove as much as possible. Keep a small amount of water in the bowl to help with the suction.
Place the plunger securely over the drain hole and push up and down forcefully. You want to be forceful with both the pushing and pulling motions for the greatest chance of success. If it’s not working straight away, don’t give up. Sometimes a stubborn blocked toilet requires a little more perseverance.
You will hear a gurgling suction sounds as the clog dislodges and moves down the pipe. The water levels should subside in the bowl. It’s very important not to flush the toilet during this process until the blockage is gone. If there is still a large amount of water inside the toilet, flushing it will only increase the likelihood that it will overflow onto the floor.
How to unblock a toilet WITHOUT a drain plunger
We recently wrote another article dedicated entirely to this topic. You can read the full article here. In summary, there are a few household items that can save you if you’ve accidentally blocked a toilet and don’t have access to a plunger. You can try using either a string mop or a toilet brush with a plastic bag tied over the end. Use your chosen tool in the same way as you would a plunger, trying to get the best seal over the toilet drain as possible. Alternatively you can unwind a metal coat hanger and secure a rag around the end. Again, use it in the same way you would a plunger.
How to unblock a sewer main drain
As mentioned, this isn’t a skill that can be learned by a layperson. By law, you have to call a licensed plumber to do any repairs or maintenance on sewerage infrastructure. It’s better to call the local plumber sooner rather than later as a severe sewerage clog can cause backup not just through the toilet, but all of the drains inside your home. This means dirty, unhygienic and untreated sewerage coming out of the sinks, the floor wastes and the shower drain. Raw sewage is full of harmful diseases and bacteria that can harm your family.
A blocked drain plumber will conduct a CCTV pipe inspection using a plumbing cameras that’s specifically designed to inspect the inside of drain pipes. This way the plumber will know exactly how to unblock the sewage drain based on the video evidence. Every clogged drain is different so video diagnostics means faster and more accurate repairs. Once the plumbing camera inspection is done, the technician will most likely perform drain cleaning using a jet blaster. Powerful streams of water blast the pipes clear from clogs and no drain cleaner chemicals are needed.
If the plumbing inspection uncovers damaged pipes, the plumber may need to recommend other repairs such as replacing the damaged section, re-lining the pipes or installing a new sewerage system.
At Sven’s Plumbing & Gas, our plumbers in Armadale are happy and ready to rectify all your plumbing issues.
Established in 2015, Sven’s Plumbing & Gas strive to deliver the best results at a lower cost for the customer.
Our team of professional plumbers are always local, allowing us to arrive on time when you need us.
We specialise in various plumbing services, including general maintenance, emergency plumbing, pipe relining, gas plumbing, and blocked drains.Plumber Fairfield
Choosing the right local plumber will give you peace of mind and ensure the longevity of your plumbing.Here are some handy tips to consider when selecting the best local plumber near you.
THE CHEAPEST “PLUMBER NEAR ME” IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST PLUMBERPlenty of local plumbers advertise low rates in their google search results, but then charge expensive fees when they finish the job.
A good local plumber will come to your home and provide a free quote so you know the total cost of repairs before the work commences.Another reason that you shouldn’t automatically select the cheapest plumber in Google’s search results is because you get what you pay for.
We’ve responded to countless calls from clients who have already hired a plumber who was either unable to fix the issue or did an unprofessional job.
Plumbers train for many years to earn their qualification and plumbing license.
If the tradesperson is licensed you will have access to the consumer protections provided under the Home Building Act 1989 in the event of problems.The Register will also show the category of work that they are licensed to undertake, whether Fair Trading has issued public warnings about the licensee, whether Fair Trading has finalised any disciplinary action against the licensee, whether Home Building Compensation Fund or other statutory insurance claims have been paid in respect of the contractor’s work, and whether the licence has been suspended or cancelled.
Plumbing issue is quite common but it can be stressful if not resolved correctly.
Whether your sink is having some problem or pipe is leaking or even if your toilet is leaking, you can always book the service of plumber Frankston which will solve all your problem.
Just give them a call.Plumber Frankston
