How to unclog your toilet drain?

You might not think of a clogged toilet until you experience the mess at your home. Of course, you would seek professional help to unblock toilet drain at the earliest. However, if you are aware of the basics, you can try and unclog the drain yourself. This can help you save money and time. Several reasons lead to blocked toilets. In case the issue is a minor one, you can get the obstruction eliminated in a few steps.

However, you need to follow certain damage control tactics before you try to unclog the drain. Repeatedly flushing the toilet may lead to a mess, as the water would overflow in the blocked toilet. It’s easy to hire an expert for drain repair in your city, in case you are not comfortable with the job.

Common reasons for blocked toilets

In case you dispose off any of the following into your toilet, it can lead to a blockage.

• Toilet paper
• Cotton balls
• Hair
• Food
• Sanitary napkins
• Tampons
• Baby wipes
• Diapers
• Menstrual pads
• Toys

Apart from these, tree roots infiltrating into your plumbing system can also complicate the blockage.

Unclogging your toilet drain in six steps

• Locate the issue

If you can see the object obstructing the toilet, put on a pair of rubber gloves and eliminate it. In case the object is not visible, you have other tactics to try.

•  Pour hot water and liquid dishwasher

Take half a bucket of water and drop a small quantity of dishwashing liquid into it. Now draw the bucket to waist height and pour this solution into the toilet. Leave it for some time, before you notice the water starting to pass.

• Using a plunger

 If the blockage still persists, you would need a heavy-duty plunger along with a flange at the base. Now locate the hole present at the toilet bowl’s bottom and dip it until it gets completely submerged. Then, press it down firmly and repeat the process.

• Try using a coat hanger to hook the blockage

In case your plunger proves to be futile, use a coat hanger to hook the blockage in your toilet. In case the blockage lies within 10 cm. from the mouth of the drain, this procedure would be effective.

•  Use a plumbing auger

For deeper blockages, you would need a plumbing auger or snake. This tool proves handy in eliminating tough blockages in toilets. This is a coiled wire, capable of turning and twisting like a snake in drains. These augers are highly flexible and effective in locating deep blockages in toilets and removing the same.

•  Try using enzyme-based chemicals

 Using enzyme-based chemicals may break down solid substances causing the blockage in your toilet. These chemicals are effective on most organic maters. You might also fill half a bucket with hot water, vinegar and baking soda to create an alternative solution. Pouring this down the toilet can remove the clog.

When to hire a professional plumber?

 In case you are unable to remove the clog deploying any of the methods mentioned above, the task may call for a professional hand. Contact a reputed Sydney plumber to fix the issue. At times, blockages develop deep down the drains, where a layman’s tactics won’t work. This explains why most households reach out to experienced plumbers from reputed companies to get the dirty work done.