Unblock A Clogged Toilet

From time to time a toilet may become blocked due to too much toilet paper or foreign objects being flushed. In most cases, the blockage occurs in the bend in the toilet pan. The bend is designed to trap water to form an air tight barrier between the toilet and the drain so that no nasty smells make their way from the drain into your bathroom. Fortunately, it is quite easy to unblock a clogged toilet and you can save yourself some money by not having to call in a plumber.

What You’ll Need To Unblock Your Toilet

• Toilet Plunger
• WC Auger (Only If Above Doesn’t Work)
• Corrosive Drain Cleaner (Only If Both Above Don’t Work)

How To Unblock Your Toilet

First try to dislodge the blockage using a plunger. The most common plunger is a cup shaped plunger however, flange and ball shaped plungers are better suited for toilets. Place the plunger in the toilet pan and quickly move it up and down to attempt to dislodge the blockage. If you do not have a plunger, attached a plastic bag firmly around a floor mop with cable ties. Place the bagged end into the toilet bowl as a make shift plunger and force the bag up and down with the mop handle. The bag assists in creating a plunger like seal around the bottom of the toilet pan.

If the plunger is unsuccessful then a toilet or WC auger should be used. The device consists of a flexible rod and a crank handle. Push the rod down into the pan and around the u bend, if a blockage is felt; turn the crank handle in order to dislodge the blockage. If possible, try and hook the blockage and pull it back into the toilet pan. From there it can be disposed of in the trash to prevent a blockage further down the drain line which will be more difficult to clear.

As a last resort, consider pouring corrosive drain cleaner into the pan which is designed to dissolve the blockage. Be careful when working with drain cleaner and follow the direction on the packaging.

If the blockage is not in the pan then you will have to call a plumber to check the toilet drain line to your homes main drain.

NOTE: IN SOME COUNTRIES OR REGIONS, IT IS ILLEGAL TO CARRY OUT UNLICENSED PLUMBING AND IF THERE IS A FAULT, YOUR INSURANCE MIGHT NOT PAY OUT. CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITIES BEFORE CARRYING OUT ANY PLUMBING REPAIRS ON YOUR HOME.