Fixing a Clogged Toilet
Why is my toilet clogged and what can I do about it?
We all know the feeling. You stand up, push the lever, and listen to the tank empty. The bowl fills. And fills. And fills. It’s not stopping. Why is it not stopping?
Your toilet is clogged.
Sometimes it’s as simple as flushing too much toilet paper or flushing things that shouldn’t be flushed, for example, dental floss or paper towels. Other times it’s your daughter flushing her supper cause she doesn’t like hamburgers.
Regardless of the cause, there are a few simple ways of fixing a clogged toilet. If you still need help, let us know!
The good news with toilet clogs is a large percentage of them can be fixed with one tool. The toilet plunger. When purchasing your toilet plunger, you want one with an extension flange attached to the bell. A plunger with an extension flange is designed to fit your toilet bowl better. A better fit allows for a more powerful plunge.
Your plunger is also useful for clogs in your sink or bathtub. Just fold in the extension flange, and plunge away.
When you’re plunging your toilet, start slowly. The bell of your plunger is full of air, and a strong push will throw water all over your bathroom, and you. Once the air is out of the bell, you want to start a vigorous plunging motion, while maintaining the seal the flange has made. A good percentage of the time, a plunger will fix the issue.
If your plunger doesn’t do the trick you may need to reach for a toilet snake. A toilet snake is a long wire coil that you feed into your toilet. It has a corkscrew style tip which you can turn from the handle. When you turn it, it will either break up the clog or grab what’s clogging your toilet so you can pull it out.
If after trying a plunger, and a toilet snake your toilet is still clogged, it’s time to call in the professionals. No matter how tempting it is, avoid using chemicals. Give us a call so we can get your unclogged quickly and easily.
