Being driven round the bend by a blocked toilet?

There are some plumbing emergencies that can be devastating and upsetting – think a huge pipe burst and a deluge of water ruining your fixtures, fittings and possessions. There are others that many of us put off sorting out, such as dripping taps or leaking showers. Then there are those dirty jobs that no one wants to imagine doing, but that it’s likely you end up having to sort out at one stage or another. Namely, dealing with a blocked toilet.

Unblocking is a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it. If you’ve got plumbing insurance, that person will be a fully qualified tradesman sent by your insurance provider. If you haven’t, it’s whoever you can find in the telephone directory at short notice.

Is it possible to unblock the toilet yourself?

If you’ve got a steady hand, a little DIY knowledge and – most importantly – a strong stomach, you could attempt to unblock the toilet yourself. Be under no illusions though: it could end up being a pretty messy job.

The first thing to remember is that flushing the toilet over and over again is a massive no-no. In most cases it won’t clear the blockage – and will instead cause the toilet to overflow and flood your bathroom, creating even more problems. Instead, get hold of a plunger and use a little elbow grease to try to work the blockage out. Repeat this around ten times until you hear water going down the pipes.

However, if the blockage is particularly stubborn, using a plunger may not be enough. At this point, you’ll need to check your drains for blockages. Lift the drain inspection cover nearest to the pan and look for blockages. If the chamber is blocked, you’ll need find the obstruction and clear it with a specialist rod or wire. A piece of wood could even do the track. If the chamber isn’t blocked, this is a sign that the obstruction is located somewhere between the chamber and pan. It’s often the latter.

To clear the blockage from the pan, insert a flexible drain cleaning wire down the WC pan, while getting someone to observe the drain chamber to check the material causing the blockage moves through. Chemical drain cleaners or caustic soda could also be an option at this point.

If nothing you do will shift the blockage, it’s probably time to seek professional help. It’s this type of situation that’s led many Britons to invest in plumbing and drainage cover in recent months or years – all policyholders need to do is sit back and watch the experts do their thing.