Toilets get blocked all the time. Maybe too much paper has been put into the pan, your toddler has decided that their squishmallow wants to go for a swim, or someone has tried to flush away cat litter, sanitary products, or nappies away. If your toilet is blocked, you have several options to try before calling a plumber. The first thing you should do is check the overflow tube under the rim. It’s easy enough to do and won’t cost you anything. If it’s still clogged after that, then it’s time to try some of these products that are designed specifically for unblocking toilets:
Toilet plunger (if you don’t have one, get one)
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A toilet plunger is a rubber cup that you fill with water and use to plunge the clog into your toilet. You can find them at any hardware store and most larger supermarkets, but if you don’t have one handy, get one and keep it under the kitchen sink!
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The plunger is easy to use and works by creating a vacuum as you pump the plunger. This action will dislodge any debris that is causing the blockage and enable you to either remove it by hand or flush it away. A plunger is not just useful for unblocking toilets but it can also be used to unblock sinks and showers.
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Pro Tip: if you smear the edge of the plunger cup with vaseline, it will help you to create a better seal and the plunger will work more efficiently.
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A pair of pliers (you can borrow them from a friend if you don’t have one)
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Pliers are a useful tool for many jobs around the house, and they’re especially handy when your toilet has been clogged up with a children’s toy or a sanitary product. If you can see the debris that is clogging your toilet, the pliers will help you to grab hold and pull it out.
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But make sure you wear a pair of protective gloves and old clothing in case of splash back.
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A bent metal coat hanger
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Where the blockage has moved further around the U-bend and you can’t get your pliers to grab the debris, a simple hook made from a bent metal coat hanger can do the trick. Toilet paper, wet wipes, or sanitary products can be hooked and pulled back out to be removed then by hand, and if you can remove enough, the rest can be flushed away as normal. The advantage of a hook is also that you have a longer reach so you won’t need to risk putting your hands into the toilet water, which more than likely will be dirty.
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Drano (for the toilet bowl)
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There are many proprietary toilet cleaners available in supermarkets, DIY, and plumbing centers. Choosing the correct one can be difficult and you are advised to ask for help as you can waste a lot of money by not buying the correct one. Drano, however, is a very powerful cleaner that can be used on any drain, including the toilet bowl. It’s available at most large supermarkets and in DIY centers.
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To use it, pour enough of the liquid down the toilet until it covers all of the blockages, then let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour before running the water again. Be sure not to use this on anything other than a blocked toilet or bathtub drain—it will cause damage if you apply it anywhere else in your home.
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Arco Drain Unblocker
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Arco drain unblocker in Corfe Mullen can be used in all pipe, drain, and U-bend issues. Simply pour some of the formulae into the toilet and leave it to dissolve the debris before flushing it away. This product is corrosive so care should be taken when using it and skin and eyes should be protected at all times when using it.
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Take care (you don’t want to make things worse)
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It should really go without saying that when doing any DIY around the home it is important to take care to avoid making the situation worse or causing any additional damage. If you are a keen DIYer then you will undoubtedly have a shed full of suitable tools, otherwise, you will either need to buy tools (which can be expensive) or make do with what you have. What’s more, if you are trying to unblock a toilet, you must accept this is messy, smelly work and you need to protect your clothes, skin, and eyes and avoid the smell.
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You may find it easier, cheaper, and cleaner to simply call in the professionals to unblock your toilet.
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Final Words
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And talking about professionals, who should you call?
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If you live in or around Corfe Mullen and have a blocked toilet then call us at Pro Blocked Drains. We are a national UK company with engineers based locally in Corfe Mullen which means we can get to help you quickly–any time of day or night.
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With over 20 years of experience working with all types of drains and pipes, we have extensive experience in all types of drainage problems, there are not many situations or problems we haven’t already come across and resolved.
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Our aim is always to solve your problem as quickly as possible without causing further damage or inconvenience along the way–we try our best not only because this saves time but also because it reduces costs by avoiding unnecessary repairs later down the line when there may be more complications involved!
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With Pro Blocked Drains we guarantee you:
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- Fully Qualified Safe Contractor Approved Workers
- Quick Response Time
- Full Indemnity Insurance
- Competitive Prices
- 24/7 drain services
- Availability 365 days of the year
- No Call Out Fee
- Free Quotations
- Friendly service
- Guaranteed Work
- 5-star rating
- Peace of mind
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If you are based in Corfe Mullen or the surrounding areas and need more information about our services, please get in touch with us today either by dropping us an email or calling on 0800 611 82 99. We will give you a free quote for all work carried out by our team of specialists. We also offer a 24/7/365 emergency service for any urgent repairs you may require.
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Our friendly knowledgeable staff is always happy to help!