Toilet clogged - What to do if the water stays in the toilet bowl?
The toilet is blocked! Whether experienced by yourself or heard from hearsay, everyone knows this scenario and fears it. Basically, the top rule of thumb is that only toilet paper and nothing else, such as food leftovers, should be discarded into the toilet. However, even toilets where this rule is strictly adhered to, are not spared from blockage. Panic quickly breaks out if the toilet becomes blocked, the plumber is called quickly, and unnecessary costs occur. In many cases, the blockage can be repaired with little effort. With our tips and tricks, you can probably save yourself the plumber.
Why is the toilet blocked? Causes and reasons
In fact, the most common cause of blockages is the consumer’s fault. Incorrect use and the associated blockage therefore often have the following causes:
Toilet paper
If toilet paper is used too generously, the toilet drain will become blocked. It takes some time for the paper to dissolve in the water. So, if you use too much paper, you risk clogging the toilet. Intermediate flushing helps with high paper requirements.
Waste
Food scraps, tampons, cat litter and any other waste does not belong in the toilet. Even the smallest amounts gradually form a conglomeration of smelly waste that clog the toilet and make simple cleaning impossible.
Which household remedies help best?
Before you pick up the phone and call a plumber or buy an expensive cleaner, take a look at your household cupboards. You are sure to find a remedy to loosen a blockage.
Hot water can help
Pouring a large amount of hot water into the drain can directly help the clogged toilet. To avoid damaging the ceramic used in the toilet, do not use boiling water. Let the water penetrate the toilet from about 1 meter. The trap energy can directly help to free the toilet from the remaining dirt. After pouring hot water into the toilet, wait a few minutes and flush. If the blockage has not come loose, the blockage itself is probably in the drainpipe and the trick with the hot water unfortunately does not work.
With the rubber glove, blockages are quickly released and effectively unblocked
Use your own hand to clear the toilet of the blockage. If you have no inhibitions and the blockage is located directly near the toilet drain, put on the classic rubber glove and reach into the blocked toilet.
The method requires a little tact, but you often save time and a lot of money.
The coat hanger against the clogged toilet
If you have a simple metal coat hanger at your disposal, this method is also a possibility. The hanger, which is easy to bend, is also very thin and is suitable for penetrating deeper and bent corners, such as the toilet drain. Bend the coat hanger so that the hook is at the front and you can reach far into the clogged pipe. Now try to loosen the blockage in the toilet with the hanger hook. Move the bracket as if you were unscrewing something.
Attention:
The hook itself can quickly scratch the toilet. A cautious approach is recommended.
Vinegar and baking powder, a good combination against clogged drains
One of the best-known methods is the combination of vinegar and baking powder. Simply use four tablespoons of commercially available baking powder and half a cup of vinegar. The combination of the two substances causes them to bubble in the toilet. Wait until the mixture has stopped bubbling and then flush. This effect causes the dirt to come off the clogged drain. You can also use baking soda instead of vinegar.
Cola against the smaller dirt particles
With this method, you don't have to become a chemist and don't use a combination of household remedies, just use the cola. In addition, cola itself is safer to use than other pipe cleaning fluids. By the way, the manufacturer of the cola does not play a role. Pour the drink into the blocked toilet drain. The enzymes from the cola dissolve blockages in a natural way, whereby the harmless chemical agents serve as biocatalysts. The method has also often proven effective for clogged sinks.
The PET bottle as a replacement plunger
A little information in advance:
The trick with the PET bottle only works if the toilet bowl is not too clogged.
To use the PET bottle instead of a popper, you need a bottle with a minimum volume of 2 liters, which is also flexible. Cut off the bottom of the PET bottle and tighten the cap on the bottle neck. Then press the open bottom of the bottle onto the blocked drain of the toilet. To create the necessary vacuum, you have to press the PET bottle together tightly. You can tell whether the attachment worked by the bubbling of the water in the clogged toilet bowl. If the blockage is released, flush again afterwards to be sure.
Get the drain free with the toilet brush
Yes, the toilet brush can also be used to remove blockages from a toilet. This variant is obvious and is probably also used quickly in hectic situations. It is important to make sure that you do not press the blockage further into the toilet drainpipe with the toilet brush. A gentle procedure with supporting turns from the wrist "scrapes" the blockage from the toilet drain bit by bit.
Toilet clogged and household remedies not working?
Then we still have these methods for you. The classical plunger or the spiral are the most common "professional devices" for the domestic need.
The plunger reliably unblocks the drain
Compared to the PET bottle, the plunger has been specially developed for the purpose of freeing the toilet from clogging. The removal of the blockage is also based on the generated vacuum and can be removed with a simple procedure.
The spiral when no plunger is at hand
The pipe cleaning spiral is particularly suitable for deep-seated blockages that have already penetrated far into the drainpipe. A spiral is available at the nearest DIY store. In comparison to the plunger, however, we recommend proceeding gently, as otherwise the drain can quickly scratch.
Only the professional can help with heavy blockages!
If you are not successful with the recommended methods, it is best to use a professional pipe cleaning service from Pro Plumbers in your area. We advise you comprehensively and individually and provide for a reliable pipe cleaning!
Replacing the toilet
When replacing the toilet, our plumber will check the condition of the cistern or flush valves, corner valves and traps. They will also check the water installation behind it for defects or pipe breakage and, if necessary, issue a repair. If there is damage (broken pipe) in the water installation or the sewage pipes that cannot be seen at first glance, we can help with a targeted leak detection or pipe burst detection.
Toilet does not stop flushing or toilet leaks
If the toilet wobbles, the connection between the toilet bowl and the drainpipe from the cistern or flush valve leaks or there is an odour nuisance in the toilet bowl, we can repair all defects in your toilet. Call our 24/7 toilet repair service hotline now!