How would you fix your toilet should the unthinkable happens that it clogs? Whereas stopped stink drains can often be remedied with an additive that breaks up the clog, such products are usually inappropriate for toilet clogs. Some of these additives create heat, which can damage the bowl. Most are unable to reach the clog because of the toilet's design. Therefore, you'll need to unclog your toilet using mechanical means.
Begin with a plunger
A poor flush means that your toilet drain is either partially or completely plugged. A toilet that's completely plugged—a no-drainer—is obvious. The toilet bowl will fill to the brim with flush water and perhaps overflow. Give the water level 10 minutes or so to drop, then attack the problem with a plunger
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| A plunger |
Make your first plunge a gentle one. Initially the bell is full of air. A hard thrust will force the air back around the seal and blow water all over the bathroom and you!
Once you force out the air, plunge vigorously in and out, maintaining the seal. You'll be forcing water both directions in the drain, which will effectively loosen most clogs. Stick with it, plunging 15 to 20 times if necessary.
Be patient. Try alternating between steady strokes and occasional monster heaves.
Keep enough water in the bowl so the plunger stays covered. Trying to force air through the toilet trap won't generate much pressure.
Reach for a Plumbers snake
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| Plumbers Snake |
If the plunger won't open the drain, or if you can force out the water with the plunger but the toilet still won't flush well, reach for the snake. A drain snake is a long wire coil with a corkscrew-like tip that you feed into your pipes until it encounters the clog. Then you turn the snake clockwise, so that the tip screws into or through the clog and breaks it up. Or the debris winds onto the wire so you can pull it out.
Major surgery
If the clog resists all your efforts, you'll probably have to pull up the toilet. This job will take several hours, because you have to turn off and unhook the water supply, partially disassemble the toilet, and unscrew it from its mounting ring. Chances are, you can then get at the problem.
However, if other drains in your home are plugged, or if water comes up through them, the problem is probably farther down in the main drainpipes, often out of easy reach. For those clogs you may have to call a plumber.
More toilet tips
1. Avoid chemicals.
Don't be suckered into thinking that powerful chemicals will do the messy work for you. They sometimes work, but they're slower. And when they don't work, you have a drain full of corrosive water on your hands. If you tried chemicals and they didn't work, run as much water into the toilet as possible and let it sit overnight to drain through the clog. Then, when you plunge, wear safety goggles and rubber gloves to keep the water out of your eyes and off your bare skin.
2. Keep the toilet cover down, especially if you have small kids, so toys and hairbrushes won't fall into the toilet.
3. Don't pour hardening compounds down the toilet.These include such things as drywall joint compound, grease, caulk and wax products.
Involving a professional from design through to commissioning can prevent your toilets from clogging time after time. Call us: +254780122255/+254735691990, email us: info@relemech.co.ke/relemech@gmail.com.
