The article is intended for those who are “lucky enough” to become acquainted with such a not very pleasant-smelling topic as a clogged toilet.
The first rule, which is useful for any situation, is don’t panic. The next step is to ask your upstairs neighbors not to use the toilet for a while.
Determine the type of blockage (as the further course of action depends on this). Blockages are divided into two types:
- Local. From the name it is already clear that the range is within the apartment. Eliminated by methods described below.
- General. It operates over a wider range: within the central sewer system, and this cannot be done without the hands of a master.
How to recognize? Look at the drains in the other rooms of your apartment: in the kitchen, in the bathroom. If water gurgles from there too, things are bad: the common riser is clogged and a plumber is needed. If the drains are fine, then try to clean the pipe yourself.
Clearing the blockage
You have decided on the blockage and your neighbors, it’s time to start cleaning.
No. 1. Water is the savior of humanity.
This method is suitable for light blockages if the water is slowly but still decreasing.
Where to use water? From:
- drain barrel;
- hose;
- buckets.
You can press the toilet flush button a couple of times. Press sharply so that the stream flows in a powerful stream. This method will help if your toilet owner of a small blockage. The next two methods are much more effective.
Pour in 10 buckets of water from different sides, one after the other.Do this sharply, as in the case of a barrel, but do not overdo it: you risk being splashed along with the toilet floor. Alternatively, attach a hose to a water faucet, place it in the toilet (as deep as possible) and turn on the water on high pressure. It’s better to repeat this hose attack a couple of times. Be careful not to splash yourself. In both cases it is advisable to use hot water. It is important to monitor the condition of the water in the toilet. If she keeps leaving, you are on the right track.
No. 2. Mr. Plunger.
Every home has an ordinary plumbing plunger. The secret here is that the diameter of the rubber suction cup is larger than the diameter of the drain pipe. Place the plunger on the drain hole so that it seals the drain area, and press a couple of times. You will feel a vacuum forming inside the plunger, causing it to stick to the hole. You need to try to keep the up and down movement strong. If the blockage is weak, then after several such approaches the water will hiss and leave the toilet.
If there is no plunger, below are two more ways to build such a device from available materials.
No. 3. People's rag.
A dirty method, but effective.
You will need:
- rag (or towel);
- rope;
- mop (or other long stick);
- latex gloves.
Twist the rag (towel) and fold it in half. Tie the ends with a rope to make a tight rope. You push it into the toilet. You will end up with a traffic jam that needs to be given some impressive pushes. You can tie a rag to a mop (just not to the standard end that we use to mop the floor).
After removing the blockage, it is advisable to “rinse” the toilet with hot water (we proceed as described in method No. 1).
No. 4.Her Highness the bottle.
A plastic bottle is another handy tool that can help correct the situation. Cut off the bottom of the bottle, leaving the cork screwed on it. Insert the cut end into the toilet hole and make the familiar sharp pressing movements.
No. 5. Chemistry to help.
There are a huge number of chemicals for removing and preventing blockages. It is better to use such products strictly according to the instructions, since depending on the composition, their effect can have a detrimental effect on the condition of the pipes. So, some solutions contain acids that are only suitable for plastic pipes. And for steel pipes, alkali-based products are dangerous. It is recommended to reuse medications that are dosed in packets after the first dose.
Keep in mind that chemicals are effective against organic clogged toilets.
No. 6. Plumbing cable.
If objects get into the toilet drain, it is better to use a rope. Every plumber has this thing, but it can also be found on the shelves of hardware stores. Or you can make it by hand from twisted wire. Tighten a loop on one side that will serve as a handle, and on the other attach a spring to catch debris accumulated on the walls of the pipe. The length of the cable must be at least 5 meters, because the cable is lowered inside the pipe to reach the blockage. Carefully moving the cable down so as not to damage the pipe walls, twist it by the handle. This way you will touch the debris accumulated on the walls and push it towards the common riser. It's even better to move back and forth to better dissolve the dirt.
Tip: The cable must be fully tensioned throughout the entire procedure. Otherwise it will spin.
No. 7. Master vacuum cleaner.
A toilet blockage can be removed (or rather, "blown out") using a vacuum cleaner. Set the "blow out" mode, insert the vacuum cleaner hose into the pipe and turn it on. Under the air pressure, the debris plug should go away. But, as when working with a hose with water, you should act carefully so that the debris is not knocked out of the pipe under pressure on you.
Causes of a clogged toilet
Since the problem of a clogged toilet has arisen, it is worth mentioning the possible causes of the "disease".
- Insufficient slope of the pipe. And as a result, the pipe becomes overgrown. The debris that gets in during the drain, instead of continuing on its way, decides to "have a picnic on the side of the road". Unwanted particles accumulate on the walls of the pipe and gradually make the tunnel for the passage of water narrower and narrower.
- Incorrect installation of the toilet. During the installation of the toilet, cement mortar was used, which led to a narrowing of the pipe diameter. Using the toilet for other than its intended purpose. Attempts to flush items or products not intended for this purpose end badly. This group includes feminine hygiene items, cat litter, repair waste, etc. It is believed that you should not throw toilet paper into the toilet. In fact, toilet paper is the only manufactured item that is intended to be flushed during toilet procedures. It is made in a special way and dissolves when it gets into water.
- 5 ways to get rid of unpleasant odor from the sink
Some blockages can be prevented in advance. To do this, it is enough to properly operate not only the toilet, but also other household appliances where there is a drain: a bathtub, a washbasin, a kitchen sink.A clogged toilet can be removed (or rather, “blown out”) using a vacuum cleaner. Set the blowing mode, insert the vacuum cleaner hose into the pipe and turn it on. Under air pressure, the garbage plug should go away. But, as when working with a water hose, you should act carefully so that debris from the pipe is not blown out onto you by the pressure.
Causes of a clogged toilet
