What if the toilet is clogged?

Every person at least once in his life had a problem of clogging of plumbing. Trouble usually occurs unexpectedly, requires an immediate solution, and also turns life into sheer horror. In this article, we will share with you recommendations on what to do if a toilet clogged, and tell you how to deal with the problem as quickly and easily as possible.

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Signs of clogging

You can determine the occurrence of the problem that the toilet is clogged by the following signs:

• the presence of an unpleasant smell from the sewer system in the toilet;
• slow drainage of water when draining, as well as its appearance in the sink, bathtub or shower;
• the appearance in the toilet of human products, as well as water from the riser.

If you notice any of these phenomena, then this indicates a problem with the sewage system, which in most cases is associated with a blockage.

However, it is not necessarily the problem in your apartment, because modern multi-story buildings are a rather complicated structure. Accordingly, blockage can occur in a common riser. You can check this by observing the discharge of water in the sink, shower and bath. If the water does not leave or its level decreases very slowly, then the riser is clogged, and only a qualified plumber can cope with its cleaning.

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The causes of blockages in the toilet

Before deciding what to do if the toilet clogged, you should determine the causes of the problem. The most common causes of blockage are as follows:

• Plumbing is clogged due to an excessively large amount of toilet paper, female personal hygiene products, as well as toys or rags getting into the toilet.
• A blockage can also occur due to improper installation of the toilet. When installing plumbing, a certain angle must be observed in relation to the common riser.
• Missing or damaged valves and fan pipe that regulate the pressure in the sewer system.
• The ill-conceived design of the toilet bowl, which can happen if the device was manufactured by a little-known company without observing generally accepted standards.

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What might be needed to clean the toilet?

When deciding what to do if water does not leave the toilet well, it is advisable to acquire the following tools and items that may be useful in eliminating blockages:

• bucket;
• hot water;
• cable;
• plunger;
• soda;
• special household chemicals;
• latex gloves;
• gauze bandage.

Important! It is possible to clean the sewer connected to the toilet in the event of not severe clogging, which is located within your apartment. If a blockage formed in the inter-apartment section of the common riser, then it is unlikely that they can do without calling the plumber.

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Practical and popular ways to clean the toilet

If you notice that the toilet is clogged, you can fix the problem in several ways:

• mechanical;
• hydraulic;
• chemical;
• pneumatic.

Choosing tools and methods for cleaning the toilet should be based on the degree of clogging and the most appropriate recommendations for you. Use one of the following methods to clean the clog.

Method number 1 - Water

This cleaning method is suitable if the clogging of the sewage system is not very dense and the water from the toilet, although slowly, is still leaving. Flushing the sewer with water is the easiest and most cost-effective way. You can use a drain tank, bucket or hose to supply water to the system.

To make your actions as effective as possible, follow these recommendations:

• Pour 5-10 full buckets of hot water into the toilet.
• Try to fill the water from different directions, with a powerful stream and jerks.
• Attach one side of the hose to the faucet with hot water, and lower the other end into the toilet.

Important! If you decide to use a hose and hot water to flush the drain pipe, try to lower the structure as deep as possible into the toilet cavity. The supplied water pressure should be as strong as possible.

Method number 2 - plunger

Almost every house has such a plumbing tool as a plunger, which is designed specifically for cleaning up plumbing clogs. This method is more practical than washing with water, and can help even with moderate pollution. This effect is ensured due to the sufficiently strong physical effect of the plunger on the drainage system.

Important! Use a plunger should not be "dry." Therefore, if water has left the toilet, add some more liquid. This approach will not only increase the efficiency of the process, but also ensure the purity of the plumbing tool.   

Method number 3 - Household chemicals

A fairly practical and effective way to clean the toilet is to use household cleaning products, which today can be purchased at any specialized store. On the packaging of each substance there is a detailed instruction for its use.

All such compositions are used according to the general algorithm, which consists in the following:

• Treat the toilet with the required dose of chemical.
• Wait for the household cleaning product to clean up the contamination.
• Perform a toilet flush with water.

Important! When using chemicals, observe basic safety precautions:

• wear rubber gloves and a face shield;
• take the children out of the room;
• Make sure that the product does not get on the skin.

The most popular are household cleaning products from the following brands:

• Domestos;
• Sanfor;
• Tiret
• Anti blockage;
• Dressing duckling.

Method number 4 - Plumbing cable

It is best to solve the problem of what to do if the toilet is clogged, a special plumbing cable is suitable. It is a long piece of steel wire twisted together with a handle on one side and a brush tip on the opposite.

This cleaning method is suitable for almost any complexity of blockages, because it is such equipment that professional plumbers often use. It is with the help of a plumbing cable that you can cope with the complete coking system.

Important! It is most convenient to use a plumbing cable together. One person pushes the cable into the pipe with translational movements, and the other scrolls the wire.

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Useful Tips:

Knowing how to cope with the problem of a clogged toilet at home, you should consider the basic rules that will help to avoid the recurrence of trouble:

• Try to avoid getting toilet paper into the sewer; to do this, install a special garbage bin near the toilet.
• A popular mistake is throwing culinary dishes into the toilet. Even liquid goodies cause harm to the pipe, due to the accumulation of fats on their walls and in the area of ​​the bend of the toilet. This may at some point cause a jam.
• From childhood, teach your child the rules of using the toilet and introduce a strict ban on throwing toys into the toilet.
• When carrying out repairs in the toilet, carefully cover the toilet, which will help prevent particles of construction debris and dust from entering it.
• Regularly prevent blockages with special chemicals that prevent the accumulation of debris on the pipe walls.
• Replace sewer systems in a timely manner, because a rusty and uneven pipe will contribute to the accumulation of various debris and can lead to regular clogging of plumbing equipment.

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Stock footage

Now you know what to do at home if the toilet is clogged. We sincerely hope that the problems of faulty sewers will no longer disturb you and will not violate the comfort of everyday life.