Causes of a blocked toilet

Writing a blog about a blocked toilet may not be glamorous, but it’s a potential problem that can materialise in any home. Your heart may well skip a beat when the flush mechanism fails and the water rises as opposed to flowing away. The fact is, a blocked toilet is something we will all deal with at some point in our lives, so it is imperative that we know what to do when we are face-to-face with such a problem.
​​
Toilets are resilient bits of equipment that we often take for granted. They provide an incredibly important function in households and public buildings and can take decades of abuse. Keep reading to find out how to avoid blocking your toilet and what to do if the problem occurs.

Avoid putting things down the toilet that don’t belong there
Under a toilet is a P-trap that bends meaning that foreign objects placed into the toilet will not flush away. Flushing may not produce enough pressure to push hard objects toward the drainpipe and even too much tissue and wipes could collect in the trap and prevent the flow of water so avoid blocking up your toilet whenever possible.
 
Use A Plunger
It's a simple tool, but when used correctly, blocked toilets are no match. A simple vacuum seal is created, and an up & down motion creates the right environment to move the blockage along when the seal is broken.
 
Use An Auger/Snake
If the plunger fails to do the job, try using an auger plumbing snake. This drain unblocker requires more skill to use and being too forceful could damage the toilet bowl, so be mindful how you use this tool.
 
The timing of your toilet installation could affect how it works
If you haven’t done any major renovation in your home for decades, it’s likely that your toilet is of the low-flow models of the early 90s. Because these toilet models were designed to flush with a small amount of water, it reduces the pressure needed to clear the trap. As a consequence, materials build up inside the trap, clog the toilet and remain unflushed.
 
The drainage system may be causing the toilet blockage
If the trap and drainpipe of the toilet is not blocking the pathway of the water, the problem may be to do with the drainage system. The vent stack could be blocked. This performs a vital role in ensuring that your sewage is taken away in the right direction. Air is needed to maintain pressure in the drainage system and if a vent is blocked, the drainage may suffer backpressure and cause a sewage backup. A vent that is free from clogs mean that there’s an unblocked pathway of air.

The house drain or sewer may be blocked
If you’ve investigated the above potential causes of a blocked toilet and still have a problem, then it may be time to dig deeper. Roots of nearby trees may have invaded the sewer lines, trapping sewage and causing major clogging in the entire drainage system. Ground movement can also cause sewer pipes to shift and sustain cracks and over time, letting in soil.
 
A blocked toilet may feel like the end of the world, but rest assured, it's not. By taking simple steps to fix the problem, you'll most likely be able to clear things up yourself. That said, a blocked toilet may be a symptom of a looming issue with your home's plumbing system.

If this is the case, why not call in a plumbing professional to undertake a full inspection to help identify issues before they become much larger plumbing problems down the line? Arco Heating and Plumbing Ltd is a local, dependable, and trusted Romford plumbing firm that can make quick work of your blocked toilet.  Get in touch for your free, no-obligation quote by calling 07977 229 134 OR 07970 296 171.