A blocked toilet can be a pretty unpleasant experience. It can be smelly and embarrassing (especially if you happen to be a visitor!). It can be expensive to clean up household items that have been damaged by an overflowing toilet, not to mention a health hazard.

What are the causes of a blocked toilet?

Blocked toilets are caused when tree roots infest the sewer line causing a build-up of toilet roll, effluent and debris.  Blocked toilets are also caused when people put the wrong things down them. Some of the things which shouldn’t be put into a toilet are food scraps, paper, rags, cans, bottles, grease and fat.

Ways to unblock a toilet in order of effectiveness: 

  1. Coat Hanger
  2. Plunger
  3. Closet Auger
  4. Electrical Eel
  5. High pressure water jet

How to Unblock a Toilet Yourself

You can try unblocking a toilet yourself. The best way to do this is using a plunger. To do this put gloves on and place the plunger right into the base of the toilet bowl. Plunge up and down. Then flush the toilet to check whether the blockage has cleared. You may need to repeat the process a few times for the blockage to clear.

[Pipe Relining Solutions] [Blocked Drains] [Unclog a toilet]

If a plunger doesn’t work, you could try un-twisting a coat hanger and putting this down the drain to break up the obstruction.

Unblocking a toilet using a professional

You may have some luck in loosening the blockage using a plunger but generally plunging will only work for small blockages. If you see water backing up in the sinks or showers whenever you flush, it’s time to call a professional drain clearing company. Professional drain clearing companies will be able to clear the line completely using a high pressure water jet.

Professional drain clearing should keep your drains clear for at least 3 months. However depending on the condition of your drains and proximity to aggressive tree root systems, drains can block up again more quickly.

The best blocked drain solution?

To summarise – the best way to clear a blocked toilet yourself is to use a plunger.  Generally, this will only work for small blockages. If you experience a blocked toilet repeatedly it could indicate there is something more seriously wrong with your drains. If so you will need to ask a drain clearing company to conduct a CCTV inspection of your drains. They will diagnose the problem, so you can make an informed decision about how to fix the problem.

If you’re fed up with a smelly toilet and the worry of it backing up into your bathroom call Pipe Relining Solutions. We can investigate and provide you with a free quote to fix your problem permanently. Call us today on 1300 366 834.




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