A clogged toilet is no laughing matter at all. In fact, it becomes very unpleasant when you have a clogged toilet when family or friends are passing by. Fixing a clogged toilet is work for a professional or you must be well aware of how to tackle this. The causes of a clogged toilet can be very diverse, and in this way require a different solution each time. A lot of people want to solve the problem, but try to do it without any knowledge of the matter. This can only make the problem worse. The most frequent solutions – all with their advantages and disadvantages – are a solvent, an unblocker or in some cases dismantling the toilet.
Causes of a clogged toilet
Almost everyone has experienced it before: a clogged toilet. The water flows very slowly or the water rises when rinsing. These blockages are very annoying. The causes can be situated both inside and outside the house.
Blockages can occur indoors
Various causes can arise indoors. For example, toilet paper, wipes or scent blocks can be flushed with it, causing problems. This can happen by accident, but also by playing children who accidentally drop toilet rolls in the toilet and then flush. Another cause could be that children’s toys end up in the toilet. Flushing paint, oil or other materials, which people cannot really use otherwise, often end up in the toilet, causing blockages.
Blockages outdoors
Obstructions can of course also occur along the outside of your house. A well-known example is an overflowing septic tank that can no longer collect faeces. Reaming the well is one way to solve this problem. Another cause may be that the bacterial balance in the septic tank is no longer optimal. Septic particles will therefore not break down enough and the septic tank will no longer be able to do its job. It could also be that the line from the septic tank to the sewerage system is blocked. This is a phenomenon that occurs when the content of the septic tank is higher than the overflow pipe to the street sewer. There is also a possibility that pipes will sag after some time (in older homes), as a result of which the flow in the pipes is no longer optimal.
How to unclog a toilet or toilet?
The classic toilet drain cleaner
A toilet plunger is an option to fix a blocked toilet. The suction cup must be large enough to cover the entire toilet hole, so that you can vacuum very well. You use a toilet plunger as follows: you put the bowl on the hole of the pot and you let the bowl fill with water (you may have to lift the rim). You then push the stick of the suction cup up and down without the cup coming loose. After a few up and down movements, pull the suction cup off to remove any paper or other blockages. If it doesn’t work the first time, you have to start over. If it doesn’t work at all, this technique will not be enough to solve the problem.
Unclogging agent as a solution to the toilet problem
Unclogging agent is a caustic agent that will unclog the toilet. You can buy it in any do-it-yourself store or even in the regular supermarket. This solution can help once or a few times, but you cannot keep doing it. After all, the caustic product could also damage your pipes and toilet bowl, causing both of these to break. Moreover, unblocking agent is not environmentally friendly. Always read the package leaflet carefully before pouring the product into the toilet bowl. You will only be allowed to pour a certain amount and certainly not let it work for longer than prescribed, before you flush.
Take care of the solution yourself (with your own hands)
It may not be the nicest solution, but very often it is the most efficient. Put on your gloves and put your hand as far as you can into the jar to fix the problem. It is quite possible that you feel the obstruction and then you can remove it immediately. This is of course also a much more environmentally friendly way than drain cleaner.
Using an unclogging spring
If the problem is further down the drain, an unblocking spring can be a good solution. This spring is a flexible steel cable that folds towards the drain. You have to push the spring into the drain as far as possible and then turn the crank. By making a rotational movement, the blockage will be cleared.
Disassembly of the toilet
If all the above solutions do not work, you can decide to disassemble the toilet. The first step to take is to shut off the water supply. Turn the pot off the floor and take it down the drain. The gooseneck is now free. Here you can already check whether there are any obstructions. By completely removing the pot you can also view the drain. If necessary, you can use the unblocking spring again to be able to penetrate very deep into the pipe.
