How to Handle a Blocked Toilet in Cumbria

Blocked toilets can be frustrating and unpleasant to deal with, but it's a common problem that every homeowner in Cumbria has to face at one point or another. Fortunately, there are several easy-to-follow steps you can take to alleviate the problem on your own before calling Drainage Cumbria, a professional blocked toilets company in Cumbria.

Understanding the Cause of Toilet Blockages

It's essential to understand how toilet blockages occur before trying to clear them since different methods are needed to handle different causes. One of the most common causes of a toilet blockage is flushing away non-biodegradable items like sanitary napkins, wipes, condoms, and cotton swabs. These items can quickly clog the drains and cause water to back up and overflow.

Another cause of toilet blockages is flushing too much toilet paper or using low-quality toilet paper that doesn't break down well. Hard water, fat, oil, and grease can also contribute to toilet blockages by creating a thick cake-like substance along the walls of the pipes.

Tools You Need to Clear a Blocked Toilet

There are several tools that you can use to clear blocked toilets. Before proceeding, you need to ensure that you have the necessary tools at hand to avoid delaying the process further, such as:

• Rubber gloves or hand sanitizer
• Plunger
• Bucket
• Soap

Method One: Using a Plunger to Unclog the Toilet

One effective way to clear a blocked toilet is using a plunger. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Put on your rubber gloves or sanitize your hands, as appropriate.
2. Verify that the toilet is not overflowing. If it is, switch off the water source to avoid overflow.
3. Place the plunger over the toilet bowl's center, ensuring that the plunger is fully submerged in the water.
4. Position the plunger back and forth vigorously in a pumping motion until the obstruction is dislodged.
5. Flush the toilet to see if the blockage has been cleared.

If the plunger method doesn't work, you should try a different method to clear the clog.

Method Two: Using Soap to Clear a Blocked Toilet

Another effective way to clear a blocked toilet is by using soap. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Pour a small amount of dish soap or liquid hand soap into the toilet bowl.
2. Pour hot water into the bowl to create a bubbly soap solution.
3. Let the soapy solution sit in the bowl for 5-10 minutes.
4. Use a plunger to pump the clog through the curved part of the drain.
5. Flush the toilet to test if the blockage has cleared.

Method Three: Use Enzymes to Dissolve a Blocked Toilet

Using enzymes to clear a blocked toilet is another effective method. Here's how it works:

1. Purchase a natural enzyme toilet bowl cleaner or septic-safe enzyme-based liquid drain cleaner.
2. Pour the enzyme cleaner into the toilet bowl following the instructions on the bottle.
3. Leave the enzyme cleaner to sit in the bowl overnight or for several hours.
4. Once the enzyme cleaner has dissolved the blockages, flush the toilet with clean water.

Tips for Avoiding Future Toilet Blockages

To avoid future toilet blockages, you should:

• Increase the frequency of cleaning the toilet to maintain a healthy environment.
• Use only toilet paper that dissolves well.
• Use a toilet-safe waste container to dispose of non-biodegradable waste items.
• Avoid flushing excess materials and harmful substances like grease, fat, and oil, into the toilet.

When to Call in the Professionals

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might fail to clear a blocked toilet. Suppose you have used all the methods above and the toilet isn't draining properly or continues to overflow. In that case, it's time to call in Drainage Cumbria, a trusted and top-rated blocked toilets company in Cumbria.

Conclusion

A blocked toilet is a common but frustrating problem that every homeowner in Cumbria has to face at one point. However, you can handle the problem on your own using simple tools such as a plunger, soap, or enzymes to clear the blockage. Additionally, it's essential to avoid flushing non-biodegradable waste items, using low-quality toilet paper, and pouring grease, fat, or oil into the toilet to keep your toilet drain in perfect condition. Suppose you've tried all the methods above without success. In that case, you can always count on Drainage Cumbria, a reliable blocked toilets company in Cumbria, to help you when you need them most.