What to do if your toilet is blocked?

If your toilet is flushing really slowly, is not clearing properly, or even worse, is not clearing at all, you obviously need to solve the problem quickly. If you do not take action as soon as the problem starts then it is only going to get worse. Find out what is causing the problem, and make sure your toilet is back in full working order as soon as possible.

On many occasions you will be able to resolve the problem yourself. If this does not happen then you will need to contact experienced professionals for help; learn more here. 

Here is what to look for and what action to take if you want to try and return your toilet to full function yourself before calling in the experts.

Is your toilet definitely blocked?

First, you need to be sure that the problem is a blockage. If your toilet is flushing slowly it may be because there is not enough water in the toilet tank. You will need to lift the lid on the tank to check this. There may be an indicator on the side of the inside of the tank to show you where the water level should be. If there isn’t, you need to check the water is approximately half an inch below the vertical pipe in the center of the tank. If the water is too low you simply need to adjust either the ballcock or fill valve.

If the water level is fine, and you discover that there is a blockage in your toilet there are actions you can take to resolve the situation.

How to resolve a blockage?

The easiest way of attempting to clear a blockage in your toilet is by using a plunger. One useful tip, if you do not have a plunger is to grab a mop, a coat hanger or a similar object, and securely tie a plastic bag over the end. This homemade device has the same effect as a plunger.

If you are not able to clear the blockage then it may be that a toilet auger is required. This usually happens when something has been accidentally flushed down the toilet, and is stuck. An auger has a flexible cable which you are able to send down the drain. This sturdy cable can dislodge any items that are stuck, and leave you with a clear toilet.

If you do not have this tool, you may want to call a plumber to take a look at the problem. One thing you should never do is just ignore the problem. If it is not flushing as it normally does then something is causing the issue. If you do not take steps to remedy the situation then it is only going to get worse, and you could be left with an overflowing toilet.