Toilet blocked !

[JamesKenton]

Hi, i hope someone can help with a problem I have here (2 actually, but the 1st is this):


My toilet is blocked - I have tried a plunger on it (long handle type with rubber disc on end) but it's no good.

Is there anything else I can use to unblock it, any sugegstions please?

 

[dextrous]

It could be a variey of things - how confident would you be of removing the toilet to determine whether the blocakge is in the pan bend or the local pipework?

Obviously a time served plumber (of at least 35 years experience) would know instantly without even having to think about it - but the rest of us are mere mortals

 

[HERTS P&D]

The first question I would ask a customer is the toilet upstair or down.

If the toilet is upstairs it can normally be unblocked with a rod and plunger attachment.
If this has been tried then I would ask did you have a toilet duck hanging on the toilet rim that is not there anymore. These always block toilets and the toilet will need to be removed. Or do you have any young children in the house who like throwing toys in the toilet. (Happens all the time, bles 'em.)

If the toilet is down stair then I would go for a blocked manhole which I would jet out.

Andy

 

[JamesKenton]

Hi

I could remove the pan, the only issue would be would I need a new doughnut washer and pan connector after if they break their seal?
Is there anything I could use to try and shift it without having to remove it if possible? Any more powerful plungers/chemicals out there I could use?

Thanks for helping by the way, it is much appreciated.

 

[dextrous]

So, having determined a degree of level of competence, is the toilet upstairs or downstairs, and have you got any small children

 

[JamesKenton]

No small kids, toilet is upstairs!!! The blockage has happened before but I have managed to rid it usually. The pan runs out of the wall into a cast iron soil stack.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Ok, at least we can now blame the other half, for putting baby/face wipes and sanitary towels down the toilet.

Normally the rod will move the blockage, there is a knack to plugger the toilet when it is full of water. You need to plugger the pan quite quickly causing more pressure to move the blockage.

We would plugger a toilet for 15minutes before we tell the customer that the toilet will need to be removed for further investigation.


Andy

 

[JamesKenton]

Thanks for your help.

I don't have a drain rod, am just using the plunger!! Should I get a proper/better quality plunger? I'd prefer to not move the toilet IF possible!

In SCrewfix there is a plunger (Rothernberg)? that is about £70, it says it's a pro one. Is that any good, worth getting for future blockages??

 

[HERTS P&D]

You need a drain rod set, (which I think you are using anyway.)

Item number in screwfix 14843.

Andy

 

[dextrous]

Ok, at least we can now blame the other half, for putting baby/face wipes and sanitary towels down the toilet.

once had a blockage which was due to the (indian) neighbours flushing a lot of rice and kitchen towels down the shared drainage pipe. Marvellous inspection chamber = it reminded me of ski-sunday for some reason

Normally the rod will move the blockage, there is a knack to plugger the toilet when it is full of water. You need to plugger the pan quite quickly causing more pressure to move the blockage.

never had much luck with augers down the pan

We would plugger a toilet for 15minutes before we tell the customer that the toilet will need to be removed for further investigation.Andy

Was simply detemining the level of diy'ness ability. Never suggested that the op should remove it yet

Think that since this has been a recurring (recent) problem, further investigation of the reasons may be a better use of time and money than spending £70 at screwfix.

 

[JamesKenton]

The problem is only occuring due to the thickness of the toiler paper and amount sometimes used!!

Other than that it's fine usually.

Will have a look at dain rod set or power plunger and decide and fast!

 

[JayJay1978]

Caustic soda and a few kettlefulls of boiling water should disolve it.

 

[assured heating]

Use a string mop down the pan and plunge ! simples
Time served plumber

 

[Nige F]

string mop Vileda - you gotta move with the times ... You know what I passed a toilet plunger just this morning @ a boot fair - see the post in Gen.Discuss. Now if I`d bought that and put it on eBay, with buy it now - you`d have it in your hand by tomorrow evening and I`d be even richer

 

[Shutpa]

Hi, i hope someone can help with a problem I have here (2 actually, but the 1st is this):


My toilet is blocked - I have tried a plunger on it (long handle type with rubber disc on end) but it's no good.

Is there anything else I can use to unblock it, any sugegstions please?

Hi James, I am not a plumber but two weeks ago I did have a blocked upstairs toilet. Had an unsuccessful attempt with a plunger. Then went outside and saw that there was a small 'inspection' plate held on with 2 screws. Undid the screws, saw the blockage, cut a wire coathanger and made a hook then proceeded to remove the blockage (yuk). It was caused, as far as I can tell, by baby wipes. If only yours was as simple.