How do I know if my toilet is blocked?
While a blocked toilet is a hassle, it can usually be fixed easily. The first step is to determine if the toilet is actually blocked, and then you can try several methods for a blocked toilet fix. It would help if you first looked at how the toilet drains. A clogged toilet will drain water slowly after it has been flushed. Blocked toilets will also sometimes make a gurgling noise or even overflow after they are flushed. You may also notice a foul odour coming from the toilet or bathroom. Outside, you may see water and toilet paper around the relief gully in your yard.
How to unclog a toilet with a plunger
To unblock a toilet, use either a standard plunger or a plunger with a flange. The flange fits snugly over the hole in your toilet bowl, which gives you more suction power. Because plunging can be a dirty job, you want to wear disposable gloves and use old drop cloths. Place the cloths on the floor around the toilet in case there is overflow. Insert the plunger into the blow. If your plunger has a flange, be sure the flange goes into the drain hole. Hold the plunger so that the handle points straight up. Push the plunger forcefully up and down and do not hold it at an angle. You may need to push up and down for about twenty seconds. A plunger is a commonly used tool to unblock a toilet, and this is because it’s a convenient and inexpensive way to fix a toilet not flushing. Plunging a toilet is also easy and doesn’t require the services of a professional plumber.
How to unblock a toilet without a plunger
How to unblock a toilet with baking soda
Start by pouring a cup of baking soda into your toilet, and then chase it with a mixture of two cups of hot water with two cups of white vinegar. Let it sit for about thirty minutes, and after that time the clog will generally come loose, and you can flush the toilet as usual.
How to unblock a toilet with hot water
Fill a kitchen pot with hot water from the tap. Pour the water into the toilet bowl, and if it starts to drain, then the blocked toilet drain is fixed.
How to use a coat hanger on a clogged toilet
Unwind a wire coat hanger so that it’s straight except for the hook, and then wrap a tiny rag around your hook to prevent scratches on the inside of the toilet bowl. Put on disposable gloves and put the hook down the drain to find and remove the clog.
How to use a sewer snake on a toilet (aka an auger)
Put the auger’s cable into the toilet, aim it toward the back drain and then crank the handle in a clockwise motion to release and extend the cable into the drain. Once you have reached the clog, pull back on the snake; you’ll feel resistance when you have hooked the clog, and you should turn the crank in the other direction to pull the clog out, which is the easiest way to use an auger for toilet clogs.
How to use a chemical toilet unblocker
Remove the drain stopper and pour the drain unblocker steadily and slowly into the clogged toilet. Be sure to follow all safety instructions on the label, and be sure to wear gloves and open windows when using any acidic or caustic chemicals.
Contact local plumbers
Is it bad to leave a clogged toilet overnight?
Some people don’t know how to fix a blocked toilet or even how to use a plunger. In these cases, the person might leave the toilet blocked with paper overnight. While some people claim that a toilet left alone overnight can unclog itself, it’s probably not best to leave a toilet clogged. The last thing you want is to leave a running or leaking toilet sitting for hours at a time. The toilet could overflow and cause water damage to your floors. In the worst of scenarios, you might even flood the room and get toilet water leaking into other rooms or spaces as well. The cleanup could take hours, and the damage to your property can be pretty extensive. It’s best not to risk it.
How to hire a plumber
A licensed plumber is a well-versed toilet unblocker. A plumber will know how to fix a slow draining toilet and how to fix a blocked toilet. However, knowing how to plunge a toilet and the best way to unblock a toilet yourself will save you money. Plumber’s fees typically can cost between $50 to $200 per hour, depending on where you live in Australia. To save that money, you could try the hot water method or vinegar and baking soda or one of the other methods above before you call a plumber.
Licencing and qualifications
Specific government authorities govern the licensing of plumbers in Australia. Regional authorities oversee both the issuance and renewal of licences. To get a licence, plumbers must typically do the following:
- Complete all required and accredited courses in the field.
- Must complete vocational, on-the-job work experience.
- The plumber must also have an approved qualification.
The specific state or territory regulates the profession in Australia. Plumbers can receive a variety of classes of licences. The specific class depends on the local government requirements in terms of the type of work to be performed. It is unlawful for a plumber to carry out work that is not specified by his or her licence class. For instance, one plumber might need a particular licence to install drains.