How to Avoid Costly Emergency Plumber Charges When Your Toilet is Blocked
By: John Clayton
Submitted: 2012-02-18 06:18:46 | Word Count: 608
Unclogging a toilet is probably the most avoided scenario in any household. It presents sanitation issues and many people find it disgusting. There are simple steps that you can do to avoid expensive repair charges. Most of these procedures are easy enough and can be done instantly before calling for professional plumber services.
Unclogging a toilet is almost the same as unclogging any sink in your house. The only difference is in their plumbing system. Though toilets do not have curved pipes, its internal passage can already be considered as trap. Its passage is capable of holding water that will accumulate at the bottom of the bowl.
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Before attempting to fix your blocked toilet, you should wear rubber gloves for sanitation purposes. Empty the toilet tank and turn off the water supply to your toilet to prevent further flooding and flushing. You might also want to cover the floor with newspaper or disposable rags for unexpected events like spills.
Here are the basic procedures that will save you money from clearing your blocked toilet.
Dish Soap and Hot Water Remedy
This can be the easiest way to unclog a toilet and ingredients are readily available in most households. Typical dish soap provides lubrication to your toilet and helps in loosening the clogs.
1. Sprinkle some dish soap in the toilet bowl. You can pour the dish soap to cover the entire bowl or you can place the soap solution in a spray bottle to give it sufficient squirts.
2. Pour half bucket of hot water into the bowl. Do not use boiling water because it can crack the porcelain toilet. It is advisable that the water should be as hot as a regular coffee. It is also recommended to pour the water at waist level. This puts enough pressure on the water to clear the clog.
Use a Toilet Plunger
Funnel-cup plungers are ideal for toilet use. It has an added funnel-shaped flange at the bottom to provide a perfect seal between the plunger and the bowl.
1. Position the plunger at the exit hole of the toilet.
2. Making sure that there is a good seal, do an up-down movement with the plunger. Pour some water to check if the toilet has been unclogged. Continue with the plunging until the clog is gone.
You can also do the dish soap and hot water remedy before plunging. This helps in softening the clog and in avoiding heavy plunging.
However, you should be careful not to spill water from the toilet bowl while plunging. Be ready to disinfect the area when water spilled out and wash your skin thoroughly upon contact with water from the bowl.
Use a Closet Auger
A closet auger is different from augers used in kitchens and sinks. It is designed specifically for toilets without causing damage or stains to the porcelain bowl.
1. Slowly feed the closet auger to the exit hole of the toilet. Push down further until you feel the clog.
2. Twist and push the auger to remove the clog. You can also use the dish soap and hot water remedy while doing this to soften tough clogs.
Apart from these procedures, you might want some preventive measures to avoid blocked toilets. Train your child not to play with the toilet bowl. There are many cases when a toilet has been clogged with toys. Try doing the dish soap and hot water technique once a week to ensure a clog-free toilet.
There are cases when you need to remove the toilet to unclog it. It might involve bigger problems than a clog. In such cases, you need to contact emergency plumbing services to get the work done.
