A clogged toilet is an unhygienic, dangerous and a course an area for a nasty smell. While flushing it, you’ll notice that water is either taking too long to drain from the bowl, or stays there or rises upwards to the brim, this means that your toilet has got blocked. 

There are some strategies that you can implement at home to unclog your toilet. However, if you are unable to fix your toilet, then we advise you to call local affordable toilet service providers without any further delay. 

Why Do Toilets Get Blocked?

There are several reasons for toilet clogging but the most common ones are:

• Excessive using and throwing toilet paper in the toilet

• An accumulation of non-flushable materials in the toilet bowl such as wet wipes, and sanitary products.

• Inadequate flushing power

• An obstructed trap or drainpipe

• Underlying plumbing issues such as tree root intrusion

• Improper venting

Due to this, a toilet can block repeatedly and can also result in persistent clogging.

Warning Signs of a Blocked Drain/toilet

If you ignore the signs of a blocked drain, then, by the time, the problem will only get worse and there are more chances for the serious damage to occur in the drain or even it can result in overflow. Therefore, it is paramount to act swiftly by taking the necessary steps to fix the problem.

But what are the warning signs one should notice for clogged toilets? In this blog, we will discuss about identifying the first signs of blocked drains:

Nasty smell: A bad odour is a sign that your drain has got clogged. This happens when food particles and other stuff get accumulated within the pipes that start to decompose and provoke the bacteria. 

Slow Draining of Water after flushing: If you notice slow draining of water from all the fixtures such as the toilet, shower, and sink, then you have a blocked drain. However, if only the toilet is blocked, then the problem is with the fixture.

Gurgling sounds: This babble sound is generated while flushing the toilet or running the tap. It can be an indication that your drain pipe is blocked.

Rising water levels in the toilet bowl: If the water level rises higher than the normal level in your toilet bowl while flushing or takes too long to return back to its normal level, then this is the indicator of a clogged toilet.

How Can You Prevent Toilets from Getting Clogged?

There are several methods listed below that you can use for preventing the toilet from getting blocked:

- DIY Methods 

Some DIY methods that can be used to prevent the toilet blockages that one can easily and effortlessly to implement at home:

Maintaining and Cleaning Regularly: This is one of the most frequent and common DIY methods, using the mixture of vinegar and baking soda. This helps in breaking down the debris buildup and maintaining clear pipes. In addition, scrub the toilet bowl in routine by using a brush so as to prevent the toilet from waste buildup.

Disposal Habits: Encourage each member of the household to make sure that items such as sanitary products, cotton buds, wipes, and toilet paper should be disposed properly in a dustbin.

Enzyme Based Cleaners: Enzyme-based drainage block cleaners contain natural bacteria and enzymes that breaks down an organic matter in pipes, thus helping to thoroughly clean the pipes. Hence, it is suggestable to use such cleaners once a month. 

DIY Plumbing Tools: Some DIY plumbing tools can be used such as  a plunger that can effectively and efficiently clear minor blockages. However, you can also use drain snake to remove the clogs manually that are caused by the accumulation of hair or other forms of debris.

Hot Water Flushing: You can use this DIY method once a week as it can help in preventing minor blockages. Caution, if your toilet has extensive blockage, then avoid using this method as it can worsen the situation more.

Homemade Drain Cleaner: You can even try another method by mixing salt with baking soda and then flush it with hot water. This mixture can help in breaking the buildup down and keeping the pipes thoroughly clean.

Routine Inspection: It is paramount to inspect your toilet flush regularly. If you find signs of clogging such as slow draining of the toilet, you can use a plunger or drain snake to address this issue immediately to help prevent a toilet blockage.

In addition to this, you are also required to check if the water level in the toilet tank is adequate. 

Avoid Using Chemical Drain Cleaners: It is not recommended to use harsh drain cleaners as it can damage the pipes over time with its regular usage. However, natural solutions on the other hand, such as vinegar, baking soda, and enzyme cleaners can be used.

Monitor and Adjust Water Pressure: High water pressure can certainly cause wear and tear in the pipes, whereas low water pressure can lead to poor flushing. Therefore, it is important to   maintain the optimal pressure by adjusting the pressure regulator if needed.

Educate Household Members: It is crucial to educate each member of the house including children about the proper usage (the things that can or cannot be flushed), signs and reminders of toilet clogging.

By implementing these above-mentioned DIY methods, you can reduce the occurrence of toilet blockages significantly. Furthermore, with regularly maintaining it, disposal habits, and the using natural drain cleaners are the key to prevent clogging.

- Calling Professionals

Drain cleaning & repair specialists efficiently and effectively use several tools to unclog the toilets. Following are the tools that are most commonly used by them:

Flange Plunger: It is specifically used for toilets. It comes with an additional flap that creates a better sealing in the toilet drain.

Toilet Auger: It is also known as plumbers snake which is used to break the blockages by reaching deep into the toilet drain.

Drain Rods: These are extendable rods that are used to clear blockages down the sewer line. 

High Water Pressure Jet: This tool is highly effective in removing debris, and grease by using high water pressure. It thoroughly cleans the rigid clogs and clears the pipes from the inside.

CCTV Drain Camera: This tool is used to check the pipes from the inside and identify the location of the occurrence of blockage.

Hydrostatic Pressure Pump: This is used to clear blockages within the pipes by using water pressure, and is particularly effective for removing large and rigid clogs.

Chemical Drain Cleaners: Such chemical drain cleaners easily and effortlessly dissolve the clogs, but it has to be used with caution.

Wrenches: This tool is used  to dismantle the plumbing parts.

If nothing works for you from the above-mentioned methods or strategies, then it is suggestable to call a professional for drain repair services. You can reach out to Urban Gaffa, if you want to find a trustworthy, reliable, and affordable local plumber.

FAQs

Q: What is the estimated cost for repairing a toilet blockage? 

A: The estimated price to fix a simple blockage ranges between £60 to £150 while more severe blockages require disassembling the toilet's plumbing system which could cost between £80 to £200 or more. 

Q: What is the estimated time to fix a blocked toilet?

A: This is one of the first questions that most homeowners frequently ask. Generally, the approximate time a blocked drain specialist takes to fix a clogged toilet will be as little as 1 hour for removing a simple clog, and 2 hours or more for fixing complex blockages. 

Q: How to clear blocked drains?

A: Try using boiling water and salt, or vinegar and baking soda. You can use these 2 methods to clear both simple or severely blocked drains. 

Q: What is the strongest thing to unclog a toilet?

A: Commercial drain cleaner is one of the strongest substances which is specifically used for unclogging a toilet. Such cleaners contain powerful chemicals that dissolve organic matter and remove rigid blockages.

Q: How to repair a toilet that keeps blocking easily?

A: For unclogging your toilet, the S-trap pipe should be cleaned that is mostly responsible for your toilet that clogs easily. You can use certain tools such as flanged toilet plunger and toilet auger to remove the clog.