A problem like a clogged toilet is a common problem. It can be quite difficult to fix the situation on your own. However, if you know how the sewer system is arranged and what means can provide effective assistance in cleaning pipes, then it is quite possible to save money and quickly restore the normal operation of the sewer system, which is mandatory in every modern home.
So, if there is a blockage in the toilet - you will learn what to do from our article.
Quick relief for toilet blockages - hot water and soda
Two simple methods have proven effective in clearing simple blockages from pipes:
- Before removing the blockage in the toilet, it is necessary to heat a bucket of water to a boil and pour this water into the toilet, creating a strong pressure - the bucket should be raised so that water flows into the toilet at a right angle and quickly. Performing such simple actions allows you to effectively cope with simple blockages. In the event that the water after cleaning in this way begins to gradually leave, you should re-pour a bucket of hot water into the toilet bowl. If the blockage was small, then this method will quickly and efficiently help to cope with the problem.
Pro tip:
Despite the simplicity of performing the actions, eliminating the blockage of the toilet in this case will require compliance with safety measures.
- Regular soda, familiar to every housewife, helps well when flushing the sewers. If, when a blockage occurs, dissolve ½ part of a pack of soda in the toilet, then the active alkali formed in this case can quickly correct the situation. As a rule, soda provides quick help if the blockage was simple.
Household chemicals for blockages
All educated modern people understand that an effective remedy for toilet clogging must be sought on the shelves of household chemicals stores. Special products in the form of liquids, powders, granules and sprays allow you to quickly cope with an unpleasant problem. In addition, the chemical industry produces various means for preventing the occurrence of blockages, the use of which makes it possible to control the condition of pipes and ensure a long period of their normal operation.
Tools to solve the problem of toilet blockage mechanically
Vantuz and its analogues
If boiling water, baking soda and chemicals do not have a noticeable effect on the blockage, then before using a plumber to clear the blockage in the toilet, you can try using a plunger with a 10 cm diameter rubber bowl. To ensure effective work with the plunger, excess water from the toilet must be removed so that the water only covers the rubber part of the instrument.
Pro tip:
To prevent this part of the tool from getting stuck in the receiver of the toilet, use hammer nails, nailing the bowl to the handle of the plunger.
If there is no plunger, and the blockage still arises, in this case, you can use homemade tools, which, despite their primitive appearance, often turn out to be a very effective means of solving the problem:
- a plastic bottle cut from the bottom, which with the cut end is lowered into the toilet and sharply pressed on it;
- "Pusher doll" made of a stick and rags.
Plumbing cable
A flexible special cable, which is a rigid hollow shaft equipped with a rotating handle, is a professional tool that every plumber can find. At the end of such a tool, a pointed nozzle or a spiral-shaped process made of thick wire is fixed - this equipment allows you to destroy the blockage.
How to break through a blockage with it:
- The spiral end is lowered into the toilet until it stops and the handle is rotated clockwise - thanks to such actions, the cable is pushed into the water seal.
- The cable may bump into an obstacle. The options may be different:
- If it rests against the opposite side of the disc bowl (with incomplete immersion of the cable in water), then, before removing the blockage, continue pushing movements until the cable slides along the inside of this section of the toilet bowl.
- If a vertical wall of the riser appears in the path of the cable, in this case, a cable is needed, the length of which must be more than 1.5 m.
- If the toilet has a direct outlet, then the cable is pushed along a horizontally located sewer pipe to the inner surface of the riser - difficulties in advancing the cable may occur if the cable tip bumps into a blockage. How to remove the blockage in this case? With movements back and forth, you need to push it into the riser.
As a rule, blockages in the sewer pipes do not occur at the beginning of operation.
Pro tip:
During long-term operation of the system, it is necessary to protect the pipes from debris. In addition, prophylactic cleansers such as Mole are effective.
To determine how to clean the toilet from a blockage, you need to have a good idea of its structure and have simple tools to help you flush the pipes yourself. However, if it turned out to be impossible to restore the patency of the system on our own, then you will have to turn to the help of specialists.
Blockage is the most common plumbing problem. It can be provoked by deposits of salts of hard water, organic sediments and other debris that enter the sewer pipe, narrowing its internal opening.
In some cases, clogging of the toilet is the result of the actions of the owners of the apartment, pouring food leftovers into it, fermented homework and dirty water after cleaning the room. How to diagnose a blockage and what to do if the toilet is clogged without attracting expensive specialists, let's try to understand this material.
Sewerage is an integral part of the sewerage and water supply system. It is designed to remove liquid and solid human waste products, to clean domestic water from pollution and return them for further operation or into a reservoir. A sewerage system is necessary for a comfortable stay in a house or apartment.
Residents of apartment buildings are responsible for the condition of the sewer pipes in the apartment, and the owners of private properties must independently arrange local treatment facilities, remove sewage and maintain pipelines and equipment.
In order to avoid unpleasant problems in the future, you should comply with the requirements of the SNiP normative documents for water disposal and sewerage. Then the system will work normally without requiring constant monitoring or adjustment.
The presence of a properly designed and installed sewage system will make life more comfortable, help maintain ecological balance on the site and extend the life of buildings
Internal sewerage networks include:
- plumbing fixtures with water drainage;
- common riser , to which the sewer pipes are connected;
- piping that ensures the process of transporting wastewater from the drain hole to the riser.
Requirements for internal networks are specified in SNiP "Internal sewerage", in GOST and SNiP "Sewerage". The systems are installed inside the building and ensure the transportation of all effluents from the place of their formation to the outlet of the pipe from the building.
Basic requirements for internal networks:
- When installing plumbing fixtures, it is necessary.
- Cast iron or plastic pipes are used for laying networks.
- The diameter of the outlet of the sewer system from the house is at least 110 mm.
- When laying pipes, a slope of 2 to 2.5% must be maintained.
Internal networks of the sewer system must be equipped with ventilation. The process of ventilation of the networks is carried out through common sewer risers - an exhaust part is installed, which is brought out to the roof.
The main reason for clogging of sewer pipes in the bathroom is a significant accumulation of fat and other deposits on the inner surface of the pipe.
Due to the resulting blockages, the normal drainage of wastewater becomes impossible, therefore, it is necessary to immediately resume the full functioning of the sewer system. In order to avoid unpleasant consequences due to a blockage in the pipeline, you need to call specialists or clean the sewer yourself.
How is the sewerage system in apartments?
Sewerage in modern apartments fulfills the task of removing human waste. For this purpose, from each point where waste is generated (toilet bowl, sink and bathtub), a waste outlet line is installed to a common sewer riser.
Apartments located on adjacent floors are connected to it. The riser is a large pipe with a diameter of 0.1 m, located in the bathroom.
All sewerage systems that are being built in apartment buildings and private houses must strictly comply with building and sanitary standards.
Previously, only cast-iron pipes were used to equip the sewage system, but now mainly plastic ones are installed. In a pipeline made of plastic, the possibility of blockages is less likely, since defects do not appear on the walls, and "overgrowth" of the riser section occurs very rarely.
To make it easier to clean the riser in a high-rise, holes are made on each floor - sewer revisions.
Most often, the cast-iron pipes of the sewer system, which are found in the houses of the old foundation, are exposed to blockages. Overgrown pipes have increased resistance to drains and are susceptible to external influences
The standard configuration of a plumbing fixture (toilet, washbasin or bathtub) looks quite simple:
- drain hole of the device;
- siphon (curved elbow that is connected to the waste disposal line);
- pipeline supply to the riser;
- large pipe or riser.
The blockage can be observed in any area, while it should be borne in mind that the reason for its appearance is man-made. In the case of using a plumbing fixture for its intended purpose, problems should not be observed.
What to do if there are signs of blockage?
Every real estate owner should know what to do if the toilet is clogged in the bathroom. The first step is to warn the neighbors living on the higher floor, and ask them not to temporarily use the toilet, bath and washbasin. Then it is recommended to make a chop or kvach, which must be plugged the drain hole.
The method of making the simplest chop:
- It is necessary to take a wooden block about 0.5 m in length, the section of which is 1 cm less than the drain of the toilet bowl.
- The bar should be wrapped with a sheet of foam rubber (1 cm thick) in several layers.
- On the "balda" you need to put on several plastic bags, tying them with twine.
- Chop "baldu" must be tightly installed in the drain hole.
After that, with the help of neighbors, you can find out the reason for the clogging of the plumbing device and determine the place of the clogging.
The most correct solution in case of a clogged toilet is to call the plumber of the ZhEK, who will make an accurate "diagnosis" and fix the problem on his own or call the emergency service
If the water from the toilet slowly leaves, and your neighbors are doing well, then the blockage occurred before the main line exited the sewer pipe. With a local blockage, you can call a plumber to the house, or you can try to eliminate the cause of its appearance yourself.
If the water in your toilet rises with the taps closed and without draining the tank, then the blockage is located below the common riser.
A common reason for a clogged toilet is "overgrowth" of sewer pipes. In this case, a rag or other object thrown into the toilet will lead to unpleasant consequences.
In most cases, clearing a toilet blockage or cleaning a sewer pipe can be successfully done on your own. Chemical and mechanical methods are used to clean the pipes. Methods for removing blockages in an apartment building or in a private house do not have cardinal differences.
The main reasons for clogging the toilet
The main task of the owner of the house is to timely determine the problem of clogged plumbing and urgently take measures to eliminate it. When the water in the toilet stagnates, it is necessary to act promptly, but first you need to determine whether the water is drained in the remaining sewer nodes (sink, shower, bath).
The main reasons for a clogged toilet are:
- "Overgrowth" of sewer pipes;
- improper operation of plumbing equipment;
- poor choice of model and errors in the installation of the toilet.
If the water from the toilet is gradually leaving, and your neighbors are doing well, then the blockage is located no further than the outlet of the line to the sewer pipe. In case of local clogging of plumbing, you can call a professional specialist, or you can try to fix the problem yourself.
The main reason for the slow drainage of water is "overgrowth" of sewer pipes.
As a rule, minor blockages can be removed by various methods on your own. Home sewage cleaning: soda, cable, plunger
If the rules for operating the sewer system are violated or due to the ingress of sand, grease, hair and other insoluble substances into the system, a blockage often occurs. The lumen of the pipe decreases and if the problem is not immediately eliminated, then the drainage becomes compacted, causing "paralysis" of the sewerage system.
As a result of clogged plumbing, the water stops partially or completely disappearing, and an unpleasant odor appears in the bathroom. In order to eliminate this problem, it is necessary to clean the sewage system.
Errors in the installation of plumbing equipment usually occur when the toilet model is chosen incorrectly, which is not structurally compatible with the place of its installation. The presence of this problem is indicated by an incorrect slope of the water drain line from the plumbing fixture to the riser. In rare cases, the construction of the toilet contributes to the formation of blockages.
In order to choose the right high-quality plumbing equipment for your conditions, it is recommended to consult with professional plumbers before buying.
Blockage of a riser in an apartment building is a "public" problem, since it can be initiated by you or your neighbors, and collective participation is not excluded.
The clogging of liquid waste along the highway within the apartment is your problem, so it is better to eliminate it yourself. Rags, cat litter, diapers, debris and other items that have fallen into the toilet are not liquid waste, so these blockages are difficult to remove.
Effective ways to remove toilet blockage
A blockage often forms in the sewer, as a result of which the water stagnates and it becomes impossible to operate the plumbing equipment. At the same time, an unpleasant smell arises in the bathroom, which cannot be eroded.
Before starting the cleaning of sewer pipes, it is necessary to identify the source of the appearance of standing water. A toilet blockage is usually the result of improper use of the drain.
There is a mud plug in every 2nd sewer pipe, which can create discomfort for residents of an apartment or a country house
There are several effective ways to get rid of a toilet blockage on your own.
Method number 1 - cleaning pipes with vinegar and soda
If the sewer pipes are clogged in the bathroom, in most cases you can not seek help from professional plumbers. First, you can try cleaning the sewer system yourself using water, vinegar, and baking soda. This is a simple and effective way to clear simple blockages from sewer pipes.
Quick help for a simple toilet blockage - soda, vinegar and hot water. These methods are distinguished by their availability and ease of execution.
Before you start removing the blockage, you need to heat a bucket of water to the boiling point, after which you need to pour the water into the problem toilet, while creating a strong pressure. To do this, set the bucket in such a way that hot water flows into the toilet as quickly and at right angles as possible.
If the liquid begins to gradually leave after cleaning, you must repeat the procedure. These simple steps will help you deal with light blockages.
An equally difficult option for cleaning a toilet bowl from a blockage is using vinegar and regular soda. The ingredients are poured into a siphon in equal amounts (2-3 spoons). After about 20-30 minutes they can be washed off with hot water. Despite the simplicity of performing the above steps, self-cleaning of the blockage requires strict adherence to safety measures.
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It should be noted that a one-time cleaning of the equipment with special means does not always help, after a while it must be repeated. You can combine a chemical method of removing clogging with a mechanical one.
Chemical methods of exposure can be successfully combined with mechanical ones, which is especially important for those who, at a particular unpleasant moment, do not have plumbing tools and devices:
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The length of the cable may vary and is selected depending on the design of the plumbing equipment. The tool will help to remove the "distant" clogging of the toilet
Possible complications after breaking through the blockage
What to do if the cable hits an obstacle:
- if the tool rests against the back of the bowl of the toilet bowl, you must continue pushing movements until it slips deeper;
- if the vertical wall of the riser interferes with the movement of the cable, then a tool with a length of more than 1.5 m is needed;
- if the toilet has a direct outlet, the cable is pushed horizontally along the pipe to the riser. The end of the cable may bump into a blockage, which must be pushed into the riser with forward and backward movements.
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In this article, we will look at the ways in which you can unclog the toilet bowl, as well as find out how they can be done at home. Most of them will require special tools or drugs, but in an emergency, you can use the tools at hand.
Determining the cause of the blockage
Most people experience toilet blockages. And it is very important to determine the place where the problem has formed before starting cleaning.
The most common type is local blockage, when human waste products create a kind of plug and interfere with the free passage of water. In this case, when flushing, the water does not leave, but, on the contrary, begins to accumulate in the toilet bowl. You can cope with such a blockage yourself. We will tell you about this.
A more problematic type of blockage is the formation of a blockage in the general sewer system. This will cause water to collect in toilets, sinks, and bathtubs, even if you haven't flushed out the water or turned on the tap. Residents of the first floors of apartment buildings suffer from such problems with the conductivity of the riser. In this case, only utility workers can solve the problem, who are able to accurately identify the cause and eliminate it with special means.
Consider the main reasons for the formation of blockages in toilets and the sewer system at home:
Toilet cleaning methods
Having understood why the toilet is clogged, you can start to remove the clog. Recall that you can fix the problem with your own hands only in case of local clogging of the toilet. If the blockage has formed in the general system, then you need to contact professional plumbers who have access to this type of work.
Cleaning by simple means
If the toilet is clogged, but there are no special cleaning products in the house, the most available methods are used. Let's consider them in more detail.
Hot water
It is necessary to collect a full ten-liter bucket of water and heat it to the boiling point. Hot water is then quickly poured into the toilet at a right angle. This creates the necessary pressure, and the high temperature of the water will help dissolve and remove some of the blockage.
If after this procedure it is clear that the water began to leave, but not quickly enough, you should repeat the procedure again. This method will help with small blockages.
Attention! Use protective equipment to protect against high temperatures. The heated surface of the bucket and boiling water on contact with unprotected skin can cause burns.
Alkali
For this method, ordinary soda is used, which is available in every kitchen. To dissolve simple blockages, half a pack will be enough. The powder must be poured into the toilet. After a while, depending on the cause of the blockage, the desired effect should occur.
The essence of the method lies in the action of the main substance - soda. This chemical compound is alkali and can dissolve many substances. By dissolving the main part of the blockage, the drainage will be restored. To consolidate the effect after the initial cleaning, it is recommended to pour a bucket of hot water into the toilet bowl.
You can find out in more detail how to make an effective tool for cleaning toilet blockages in this video:
Using these methods will help to cope with small blockages, but in more serious situations, you cannot do without special substances. Next, we will look at how to unclog a toilet at home using powerful chemicals or physically acting on the cork.
Cleaning with special chemical compounds
To date, the range of cleaning agents is quite large. They can be supplied in powders, granules, gels, or liquid form. Such formulations are sold in plumbing and household chemicals stores.
The most famous remedy for blockages in drainage systems is the Mole. It contains highly concentrated alkali, which will corrode most of the causes of clogging. It is produced in liquid or solid form, in the form of disposable sachets with a loose substance. A distinctive feature of the Mole is its cost. It is several times cheaper than its competitors, but it has no less efficiency.
Also, the list of popular chemicals for cleaning toilets includes the following brands:
- Chirton.
- Domestos.
- Rowdy.
- Tyreth.
- Bagi Pothan.
- Mister Muscle.
- Sanox.
- Tofix.
- Selena.
- Domol.
Granular substances in disposable bags are intended primarily for removing blockages in sink drains. For a toilet bowl, this concentration may not be enough. We recommend choosing highly concentrated liquid solutions. Read the instructions carefully before use. This composition may need to be diluted to reduce the concentration.
Important! Some gutter cleaning chemicals cannot be used to clean toilets. Others, on the contrary, are so concentrated that they are used exclusively for toilets, and they are strictly forbidden to clean sinks or bathtubs. This is usually written on the packaging. Read the recommendations when buying chemical cleaning products or check with sellers for this information.
Physical cleaning of a clogged toilet
Consider several of the most affordable cleaning methods.
Plastic bottle
If the blockage occurs suddenly, and there is no special means to remove it, you can use a simple beverage bottle to clean it. For these purposes, a plastic bottle with a volume of 1.5-2 liters is suitable.
The principle of cleaning is based on hydraulic action on the blockage and is similar to a plunger. Under the force, the plug will move further along the pipe, and then you can clean the sewer system with a bucket of hot water.
Ventuz
It is the most common and effective plumbing tool that every home should have. With its help, you can eliminate most of the blockages that occur in the entire local drainage system.
- The toilet is filled with water so that the water level completely covers the plunger suction cup.
- The plunger suction cup is installed so as to completely cover the drain hole.
- By progressive movements of the tool up and down, pressure is applied with force to the blockage.
- After 20-30 seconds of such exposure, we check the result of the work. To do this, we sharply pull the suction cup away from the toilet.
- If the problem has not been completely resolved, we repeat the procedure from the very beginning.
Pneumatic plungers are currently on sale. They are much easier to use, since they do not require physical effort from the person himself, however, their cost is several times higher than conventional plungers with a handle. The feasibility of purchasing such devices for personal use remains highly questionable.
Water hose
The principle of operation of this cleaning method is based on a water hammer. One end of the hose is connected to the faucet, and the other is pushed the drain hole as deep as possible. Then hot water is fed into the hose. Under strong pressure, the blockage is destroyed, and hot water contributes to its early destruction.
The disadvantages of this method include the need to have a hose of the required length at home, and the ability to connect it to the water supply system.
Plumbing cable
Such a device is rarely in the presence of an average person, and more belongs to the category of professional cleaning tools. If you have such a device available, then with its help it will be possible to clean out most of the deep and strong blockages.
At one of its ends there is a special nozzle for breaking the cork and winding up its solid parts. The other side of the cable is equipped with a twisting handle. The outside of the device is covered with a protective cover.
The device is immersed in the toilet with the cleaning side and pushed into the toilet until it becomes clogged. At the same time, the cable handle is scrolled. After reaching the blockage and removing its main part, the cable can be pulled out. The cleaning is completed by treatment with one of the chemical compounds or the system is flushed with hot water.
Some methods can be combined with each other. For example, use one of the methods to physically remove the plug, and then treat the sewer system with a chemical to clean it up. This will increase the cleaning efficiency by several times.
As in many areas, prevention is the most effective means of dealing with the consequences. After all, without allowing the formation of a blockage, you can not waste time, effort and money to eliminate it. We have prepared some simple guidelines for avoiding blockages:
Now you know how to clean the toilet at home from a blockage, and you can fight them yourself. However, there is nothing better than prevention, as it will avoid such unpleasant situations. We hope that the above information will help eliminate blockages in your sewer system, and recommendations for their prevention will help to avoid most of their causes. Do not forget to carry out calcium deposits in time, so that they do not accumulate and do not interfere with the conductivity of the sewer system.
Toilet is clogged - what to do at home and how to clean it? A clogged toilet is like a natural disaster - it happens suddenly, requires immediate action, and turns household life into a nightmare. The overwhelming majority of people immediately begins to frantically rummage through the phone book in search of the coveted telephone number of the ZhEK's emergency service. But hopes for courageous and quick plumbers begin to fade over time - utilities are in no hurry to help. In this regard, one has to think about independent measures to eliminate the blockage and resume the usual way of life, without going to neighbors "in need".
First, you need to figure out why there was such a blockage that could block the normal passage of sewage through the pipes and what to expect from this situation.
Why blockages occur
- The most common reason is clogging the toilet with too much toilet paper and feminine hygiene products, or completely unexpected items such as rags, toys, etc.
- Incorrectly installed toilet. When installing, a certain angle of inclination of the toilet bowl to the riser must be maintained, as well as the optimal distance from the riser to the toilet bowl.
- Absence or valves that equalize the pressure in the pipe when draining.
- Poor design of the toilet. It even happens, because now handicraft industries are a dime a dozen. Non-professionals may not know the intricacies of making a properly functioning toilet.
The most common ways to clean the toilet
Hot water
If there are no special tools at home, the toilet is clogged - you don't know what to do, you can try the hot water option. You will need to bring about a bucket of water to a boil and immediately pour it into the toilet. Pour out strictly at right angles and quickly to build up pressure. If you see that the water is gradually starting to leave, you can add another bucket of water to enhance the effect. Small blockages are very well cleaned with this method.
Cleaning the toilet with hot water is the easiest way to deal with a blockage Important: Even with such fairly simple manipulations, you should be extremely careful not to burn yourself.
Soda
Every housewife has soda and it helps us out in many situations. It will come in handy here too. You just need to empty half of the standard pack directly into the toilet. Gradually, the blockage will dissolve under the influence of alkali.
Cleaning with chemicals
People have long been accustomed to using ready-made solutions in all areas of their lives, and manufacturers are successfully using this. Household chemical stores offer a fairly wide selection of specialized tools for cleaning pipes and toilets. They come in the form of liquids, gels, powders and granules. There may be disposable packaging and large containers designed for several times. These tools do an excellent job of solving the problem, performing a number of other functions as well:
- Disinfect the cleaned plumbing.
- Eliminate unpleasant odors from sewer pipes.
- Keep pipes clean.
- They have a preventive effect.
The most common brands:
- Tiret.
- Mole.
- Domestos.
- Tofix.
- Domol.
- Mister Muscle.
Important: When using chemical products, you must strictly follow all the rules specified in the instructions so as not to get accidentally burned and not to spoil the plumbing. Wearing rubber gloves is a must.
People who are familiar with chemistry as a science know how to clean the toilet at home using various acids: acetic, hydrochloric, formic or sulfuric. However, such corrosive solutions can damage old pipes in your home.
Mechanical cleaning methods
How to unclog a toilet bowl without using chemicals? For this, mechanical cleaning methods are suitable, which imply the presence of certain devices.
Ventuz
This device is recommended for everyone who has a toilet. Its design is simple: a rubber hemisphere is fixed on a wooden or plastic handle. The plunger copes with simple and shallow blockages "with a bang". It happens this way:
- The toilet should be slightly filled with water so that it covers the rubber bowl of the plunger.
- The plunger is positioned so that the hemisphere completely covers the drain hole.
- With a confident and strong movement, the plunger is pressed inward and returns to its original position.
- These movements should be performed until the result is achieved.
The plunger seems to suck parts of the blockage from the bowels of the toilet until it is completely removed.
Corrugation cleaning
If the toilet is attached to the riser with a corrugated pipe, then the question of what to do and how to remove the blockage in the toilet can be solved by ordinary cleaning it. The pipe can be easily removed and, if there is a kind of plug in it, debris can be removed. After cleaning, the corrugated pipe is put in place.
Rubber hose
It works like this:
- One end of the hose is attached to the hot water tap.
- The other end goes down into the toilet as low as possible.
- Hot water is started with a strong pressure.
This method is also good in combination with chemical cleaning.
Plastic bottle
When a blockage suddenly arises in the toilet, not everyone knows what to do and how to eliminate it, especially if they do not have the necessary experience. If the farm does not stock up on special devices, you can use the recommendation of folk craftsmen. Take a regular plastic bottle with a volume of 1.5-2 liters. Cut off the bottom and screw the neck tight. Insert the bottle into the drain hole with the edge down and follow the same movements as when working with a plunger.
Plumbing cable
Such a device is a rare guest in ordinary apartments, because it is considered a professional tool for plumbers. But if one, fortunately, is still present, then a sharp nozzle or a piece of thick wire (if necessary) must be fixed to one end of it. This structure is immersed in the toilet until it stops and the handle is turned clockwise. The cable can reach even a very far located blockage, after which it is recommended to clean the system with one of the special means or use hot water for this.
When a plumber call is needed
If you know perfectly well how to eliminate the blockage in the toilet on your own, but all the methods have already been tested, and the result has not been achieved, then you still have to wait for the plumber.
There is a situation in which the plumbing must be called immediately. It is when water in the toilet continues to flow despite attempts to clear the blockage... So the riser is clogged below your floor level. As the upstairs neighbors continue to drain the water, the sewage will overflow the edges of the toilet and end up in your apartment. Such a problem is within the power of only specialists, they know how to break through a blockage in a toilet bowl and a riser.
If you are interested, then on our site there is an article on this topic.
The standards for water pressure in the water supply system are given in the material.
An overview of water filters can be found at this address. In our time, they are becoming more and more necessary.
Prevention and precautions
Having figured out what to do if the toilet is clogged at home, you need to say what rules should be followed when handling plumbing in order to prevent unpleasant situations with clogging of the toilet.
- Never throw foreign objects into the toilet. If you or a child accidentally dropped something there, you should try to remove it immediately.
- Leftover food, even liquid food, must not be thrown into the toilet. Fats from food gradually accumulate on the inner bend of the toilet bowl and at one "perfect" moment can form a tight plug.
- Children should be taught from infancy to the rules of going to the toilet and should not be allowed to throw toys into the toilet.
- If the toilet is being repaired, it is advisable to carefully cover the toilet so that the remains of construction debris do not get into it.
- For the prevention of blockages, you can periodically use funds specially designed for this. They will keep the pipes clean. When working, you must strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Old, rusty pipes will be a constant cause of blockages, because debris accumulates more quickly on their loose inner surface. To protect your apartment from the sudden outpouring of sewage, you need to change the pipes to newer polymer ones.
Those people who have once experienced the horrors of toilet clogging, as a rule, take precautions more seriously and use the toilet strictly for its intended purpose.
This happens for the following reasons:
- too hard water, which leads to the deposition of salts;
- hitting large objects;
- construction garbage;
- accumulation of sediment;
- washing away food debris.
What to do if the toilet is clogged?
Careless handling of plumbing and violation of the rules for its operation leads to serious problems. If you could not avoid them, you should know how to independently remove the blockage that has arisen in the toilet with the help of available tools.
First of all, you need to find out its nature and determine exactly where the pipe clogged. To do this, turn on the water at all taps to make sure that the water outflow is normal. If it stagnates everywhere, then the problem is in the riser. In such a situation, it is better to entrust the solution to the problem to professionals.
Trust the professionals
Pay attention, the water rises to the top or leaves poorly. Do not use the drain tank for checking. If you press the button, you will not be able to stop the powerful stream. Moreover, if a blockage occurs, all the stinking dirt will be on the floor. The ideal option for testing is to pour water into a bucket and gradually pour in, observing the consequences.
The cleaning method largely depends on the type of cork. There are several types of blockage:
- organic;
- cork from small items;
- blockage from large items.
Blockage from large items
Most often, there is an organic blockage that collects gradually, over time, narrows the passage and disrupts the drain. Chemicals will help to eliminate such a blockage. The second most popular item is getting into the toilet bowl of various little things: toilet paper scraps, food scraps and other garbage. Chemicals will not help in this case. Better to use a plunger. If the toilet becomes clogged after large objects have entered it, only a plumbing cable will help to correct the situation.
Clogging removal methods
There are several options for how to unclog the toilet yourself if it gets clogged. The specific choice depends on the scale of the problem and how long ago it appeared. Before starting work, remove the water to the drain level. A sponge, a rubber bulb or an ordinary rag will cope with this task.
If the blockage has just happened, and you know exactly the cause of its occurrence, the object can be removed with your hands, wearing gloves. If they are not available, use the regular package. Didn't get the item? A wire will come to the rescue, the end of which must be bent in the form of a hook.
Another option for solving the problem is a plunger. Close the drain hole with it and bleed it several times. When water and air interact, they create hydraulic shocks, which are ways to break through the resulting plug. The diameter of the plunger must be larger than the drain. If you don't have this tool, try using a plastic bottle.
Clear the clog with a plastic bottle
Cut off the bottom and screw the lid tightly. Slowly insert the finished fixture into the hole in the plumbing until the air begins to push it up. With a sharp motion, push the bottle all the way in and remove immediately. The generated pressure is so strong that in most cases two or three approaches are enough, and the debris plug will disappear. If the listed methods of clearing the toilet bowl blockage with your own hands did not help, other means will come to the rescue.
Good results are obtained from simple and accessible to all substances. Pour baking soda into the drain, pushing it deeper, and then pour in the vinegar. As a result, an alkaline reaction begins, which eats away the fat plug and salt deposits in just fifteen minutes. Finally, pour a kettle of boiling water into the toilet. If the connectors are made of plastic, it is better to pour in warm water, otherwise they will burst.
Soda and vinegar
Modern manufacturers produce a variety of products that allow you to quickly and easily solve the problem of how to remove a blockage in the toilet. They are available in gels, liquids and powders. Typically, these preparations contain acid or alkali, which will dissolve the blockage that has arisen from small debris. The most popular remedies include Domestos, Mister Muscle, Tiret, Tofix, Mole. The packaging contains instructions for use, thanks to which you can quickly remove the blockage. Aggressive compounds should be used with caution, as together with the cork, they can corrode pipes.
Means for cleaning pipes "Mole"
This is a professional tool with a handle and a nozzle at the ends. It can have different diameters - from six to sixteen millimeters, and lengths - up to sixty meters. For an apartment, a five-meter cable with a weight-shaped attachment - for punching or a spiral - to remove debris, is quite suitable. It is better to clean the toilet with a cable with an assistant. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- Lower the end with the nozzle into the drain and start rotating its handle clockwise.
- Advance it to the maximum depth.
- Push the plug into the riser with sharp movements, or hook it in and pull it out.
Place a rag on the floor before removing the cable. After finishing all manipulations, wipe the products with a clean cloth and detergent. If blockages occur regularly, it is worth buying this tool for personal use.
Problems with a clogged toilet are familiar to almost everyone. Knowing how to clean the toilet bowl from a blockage, you can easily fix the situation. Remember that traffic jams never appear without a reason, so do not violate the rules for the operation of plumbing equipment:
- Do not pour leftover soup down the toilet or throw away trash, etc.
- If you need to empty the liquid, put a mesh in the toilet.
- Pour a blockage prevention agent into the drain regularly.
- When carrying out repair work, make sure that construction debris does not fall into the toilet.
If you follow these rules, you will not be clogged. But if the problems could not be avoided, use the above methods to eliminate them.
Add pipe cleaner to prevent blockages
Sometimes the toilet becomes clogged for reasons beyond your control, for example, when a common sewer riser is clogged. In this case, you will not be able to do anything - you will need the help of professionals.
When to call a plumber
If not strong, you can eliminate it yourself. But most often, apartment owners turn to specialists, since they do not know anything about the structure of the sewer system and do not have the appropriate tools.
Experienced workers will help to remove the blockage in compliance with all safety measures. In addition, they will check the condition of the pipes and, if necessary, replace them.
In some cases, it is very difficult to remove the stopper in the toilet. This applies to those situations when she was in the corrugation. It will need to be removed, which is quite difficult and unpleasant. First, you should shut off the water in the apartment and prepare a container for draining the sewage. It is not recommended to carry out such work without the help of specialists.