How to unblock a toilet
As long as they work well, we all tend to take our toilets for granted. But as soon as something goes wrong, like a blockage for example, it’s a disaster.
If you’re not the sort of person that likes to get involved in DIY, or self-fixing things that go wrong around your home, there’s a simple alternative. Call CW Plumbing services; our plumbing and heating services are renowned around London. We’ll come to your rescue; often in a matter of a few hours.
But for those of you who like to dabble in doing your own home fixes, here’s a quick guide on how to unblock a toilet.
Things to try before calling CW Plumbers South London
Most toilet blockages result from something getting stuck around the u-bend. The blockage is often out of sight, so you can’t spot it simply by just looking into the toilet bowl. Blockages usually result from a build up of toilet paper, or something insoluble that that has been flushed down and got stuck. These types of blockages are not solid and are relatively east to clear. It’s simple a case of getting to them. There are some good chemical fixes available today at most hardware and DIY stores, and this is your first and easiest option.
If the chemical fix doesn’t work, before calling up any plumbers South London lists in the various directories, you might like to try this simple trick using a wire coat hanger. Just bend it into the curved right angle, push it into the aperture of the toilet pipe and give it a good wiggle. This may work and takes little time or effort.
Using a plunger
Most people have a plunger at home that they use for unblocking sinks. You can use this type of plunger to unblock your toilet, but it is a little messy. It’s better to use a plunger that is shaped like a flange or ball. You can buy these from most good hardware or DIY stores. The flanges on these types of plungers create a seal at the bottom of the bowl where the pipe exits. When you depress the plunger it creates a vacuum and gives the resultant wave more power. You may have to do this several times to completely clear the blockage.
Using a toilet auger to clear more solid toilet blockages
If the blockage is more solid, you can use something called a toilet auger to remove it. As with plungers, toilet augers are usually readily available from your local hardware or DIY store. They are priced from around £12/13£ each and are simple to use.
To use, simply pull the handle back as far as it will go. This will make the flexible end of the auger retract into the handle. It will leave a few inches of the flexible end protruding. Introduce the protruding flexible end into the inlet of the pipe at the bottom of the toilet bowl.
Next, push the handle of the auger back down to extend the flexible out end into the toilet pipe; all the time, winding the end of the handle in a clockwise direction. Force it through any obstruction you may feel, then pull the handle back up towards you, turning it in an anti-clockwise direction.
The returning head of the flexible end of the auger should pull the obstruction back up with it. You may need to repeat this cycle several times, until the blockage is completely cleared.
CW Services – One of the top providers of plumbing services London had to offer
If the blockage is beyond the u-trap, you’ll need to call in a professional plumber. Here at CW Services (Plumbing and Heating) we offer the best, affordable, plumbing services in London. Call us today on 020 7501 9549, or 07949 095 184.
