Unclogging a Toilet

November 15th, 2018 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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The last thing anyone wants to deal with in their home is a clogged toilet. The prospect of digging around to find the cause of the clog is not a pleasant thought. However, to avoid a worse outcome, like an overflowing bowl, it must be dealt with immediately.

Do not pour chemicals into your toilet. They are mostly meant for sink drains.  You do not want corrosive materials in your bowl if they do not clear the clog.

The obvious first step is always plunging. Most of the time plunging the bowl will clear the drain. Be sure to position the plunger completely over the toilet drain and plunge a few times to loosen the clog. A plunger with an extension flange on the end is the most effective and is designed specifically for toilets. Keep the seal of the plunger for several plunges while you try to clear the clog.

If plunging doesn’t work, a toilet snake may be necessary.  A toilet snake is a long metal coil that is inserted into the toilet. It has a corkscrew tip that is meant to snag onto the clog as it is twisted and grab the material that is causing the blockage. Most clogs occur after the first bend of he toilet so it won’t go far into the drain line.

If neither of these tools clears the clog, it may be necessary to call in the experts.  An experienced plumber can clear clogs quickly and they have the tools for even the worst blockages. Most plumbers have emergency services, so they can be reached at any time should you have the need.  There is nothing worse than a clogged toilet in a one bathroom home!

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

 

 

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3 Tips to Dealing with an Overflowing Toilet

September 4th, 2018 Posted in Toilets
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It happens to almost everybody at one point or another. You use your bathroom, flush the toilet, and watch in horror as the toilet bowl fills to the rim instead of going down. As it begins to overflow, you need to react fast. You either need to unclog the toilet or stop the water flowing in to mitigate the mess. Here are three tips to dealing with an overflowing toilet to avoid a big mess.

  1. Shut off the water. The water from the tank is already going into the toilet bowl by the time you realize you may have an overflow issue, but most toilets have a water shut-off valve. Turn off the water to avoid more water coming into the tank and bowl.
  2. Use your plunger. Most toilet clogs are in the curved pipes of the toilet. Too much toilet paper or other waste can make a clog. Your plunger can release most clogs and clear the pipes. When it clears, the water in the bowl will disappear and you can turn the water valve back on again to fill the tank and flush again to ensure your toilet is completely clear.
  3. Disinfect your bathroom. If you’re able to unclog your toilet, but you had an overflow, make sure to thoroughly clean your bathroom before letting kids or pets near the room. Use disinfectant to kill the bacteria and remove any health risk.

If using a plunger does not stop your overflowing toilet problem, you should call your local plumber. You may have a larger clog in your plumbing that needs professional removal with a snake or possible hydro-jetting.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(404) 973-2471

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Tips on What to Do if Your Toilet Overflows

August 16th, 2018 Posted in Toilets
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An overflowed toilet can create a mess. The curvy pipes that flush down waste can get clogged, and as more water comes in to whisk away the waste, it fills up the bowl. Before you know it, it can overflow onto the floor. Usually it is a local clog, often in the toilet itself, that can be removed with a plunger. To deal with a clogged toilet, follow these steps.

  • First, use a plunger to try and release the clog. Create a seal with the plunger around the exit hole in the toilet bowl and push down, then release and push down again without breaking the seal. Keep doing this until the water is sucked down.
  • Try flushing the toilet again. If it flushes with no problems, the clog is gone. Make sure to disinfected the plunger and the floor after cleanup; overflowed toilet water can release many harmful bacteria. Use bleach or another anti-bacterial cleaner.
  • If the clog will not budge or the toilet continues to fill the bowl, you may have other sewer line issues. It could be a clog in one of your pipes or a more serious issue. You can try to “snake” out the drain to find the clog. However, it may be more beneficial to call a plumber. They can determine where the clog is and make sure it is completely removed to remedy the problem.

Most overflowed toilets are a quick, albeit messy, fix. However, if plunging does not work, you may need to call in a plumber. It could be a toilet or plumbing problem that need professional repair.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

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Unclogging a Toilet

November 16th, 2010 Posted in Toilets
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Clearing clogged toilets is an unpleasant task at best.   If you are uncomfortable trying to clear the clog yourself, calling your plumber is a smart move.  Also, if your toilet seems to be constantly clogging, it could be a sign of more serious plumbing or sewer/septic issues and you should have it checked out by a reputable plumber or sewer/septic professional.

But calling a plumber for every toilet clog can get expensive and often you don’t have time to wait for the plumber to arrive.  Fortunately, most toilet clogs can be cleared without having to call a plumber.

The first thing to remember is “do no harm.”  Don’t make the situation worse by pouring caustic chemicals or forcing a plumber’s snake down the commode.  These will only cause further damage and make it even harder to clear the clog.  Stick to using a trusty rubber plunger and you will avoid causing any damage to your toilet or pipes.

If the toilet is filling rapidly with water, the first thing you need to do is shut off the water supply to the toilet.  Next, after placing some towels around the toilet to catch any spills, put the rubber plunger in the toilet bowl and try to place the lip of the plunger so that it forms a good seal around the drain.  Push the plunger straight down, forcing water down the drain.  Carefully pull the plunger up to refill the rubber plunger cup and repeat as many times as it takes to clear the clog.

If you cannot clear the clog with the plunger, it’s probably a good idea to let a plumbing professional handle it.

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