Clogged and overflowing toilets are a complete pain and most people just cannot bring themselves to handle the repair themselves even if the repair is not that hard to do; they would rather get the services of professional plumbers who not only have the proper training but also have the “stomach of steel” for the job. However, if you wish to save money and don’t mind the physically demanding task of fixing this particular toilet plumbing issue, you can use the different methods of repair approved by highly-trained plumbing service engineers provided below.
DIY Blocked Toilet Repair
- Professional plumbers advise placing the cup of a plunger over the drain opening, forcing the handle up and down swiftly. Doing this will produce enough suction to release the clog that was lodged in the fixture. Once the clog had been removed, gently pour water into the bowl to flush remaining debris. After a short period of waiting, flush again to check if the toilet is already completely functioning properly.
- There are times when the plunger cannot be used to solve the problem. When this happens, you would need a closet or toilet auger instead; this is a snake-like contraption used to unblock toilets. You will insert this tool into the drain, reach the cause of the clog then thread it through. This will require a lot of twisting and pulling so the blockage can come loose. Once the blockage has been loosened, pull it out and dispose of it accordingly. Tip: don’t forget to wear rubber boots and gloves and also have the trash can ready because the blockage will most likely be something quite displeasing. Make sure to thoroughly sanitise the toilet after you’ve completed the repair.
- If all the toilets in your home are clogged or overflowing, professionals say that it’s highly likely that the plumbing line is blocked downstream from the point where the waste lines come together. Toilet augers can still be used to remove the blockage. However, if the main drain line does not have a clean-out access, the long auger will then have to be directly inserted through the toilet flange (the toilet flange is the pipe fitting that mounts the toilet to the floor and connects the toilet drain to a drain pipe. Prepare yourself for a workout because directly inserting the auger through the toilet flange will require you to temporarily remove the toilet. Additional tip: include a face mask and work goggles to your plumbing gear.