Blocked Toilets.Done Right.

Why toilets block

Most toilet blockages are caused by too much paper, wipes, cotton buds, nappy liners or small objects. If several fixtures are slow at once, the blockage is further down the line, in the sewer pipe on your property.

What we do

We clear the bowl first. If the toilet clears but the drain still gurgles, we move to the drain line and check for a deeper blockage. We also check the flush, the cistern and the seal around the pan while we are there.

When to look at the sewer

A toilet that blocks again within weeks, a toilet that bubbles when another fixture drains, or a smell near an external gully trap all point to the sewer line. We can clear it and, where it makes sense, inspect it with a drain camera.

Prevention

Only toilet paper goes down the toilet. Bin everything else. If you have a large family or an older toilet that blocks often, ask about a replacement, as newer pans flush more effectively with less water.

Why wipes and paper behave differently

Toilet paper breaks down in water. Wipes, cotton buds, nappy liners and paper towel do not, even when the label says flushable. They gather in bends and at joints and catch other things. Over time they build a plug. Putting a bin in the bathroom and using it often prevents more blockages than any product.

If a toilet blocks again and again, the cause may be the drain and not the toilet.

Using a plunger the right way

Use a plunger with a rubber flange that fits the pan outlet. Make sure there is enough water to cover the cup. Push gently first to push the air out, then use steady pumping strokes. Do not keep flushing if the water level is rising. Strong chemicals can damage pipes and make the water hazardous for the next person to work on it.

Blockage in the pan or in the drain

If the water rises, drops slowly and the toilet works again after a plunge, the blockage was probably in the pan or the trap. If the water rises and other drains gurgle, it is likely in the main drain. A single blocked toilet is a smaller job than a blocked drain, so noting which it is helps your plumber.

Children, toys and unusual items

Small toys, hair products and sanitary items are common culprits. If an item went down, tell the plumber. A cable can push a hard object further along the drain, and a camera can find it. Keep bathroom doors closed if children are curious.

Septic and onsite systems

If your property uses a septic tank or an onsite wastewater system, blockages and overloads have different causes. Check with your council and the system maker about what can go into the system, and have it serviced on schedule.

What not to do with a blocked toilet

Do not keep flushing, because the bowl can overflow. Avoid pouring strong chemicals into standing water, which can splash and harm skin and can make the plumber's job less safe. Do not use a wire coat hanger in the pan, since it can scratch the porcelain. Turn off the isolation valve behind the toilet if water keeps rising.

Blocked toilet in a rental or a unit

If you rent, tell your agent or landlord straight away and keep a copy of the message. In an apartment, the blockage may be in a shared line that belongs to the building, and a call to the building manager helps. Take photos before and after.

A toilet that blocks again and again

A toilet that blocks repeatedly may have a partial blockage further down, a pipe with a poor fall, root intrusion or a fault in the pan trap. A camera inspection can show the cause. Clearing it again and again hides the real fault.

When a plunger is enough and when it is not

A plunger works when the blockage is close to the bowl, for example too much paper. Use a plunger with a flange that seals the outlet, make sure there is enough water to cover the cup, and push and pull steadily rather than hard. If the water level drops, the blockage is clearing.

If the water does not move after several attempts, or if it rises when you run a shower or a basin, the blockage is deeper. Stop and call a plumber, because forcing it can push water out of other drains.

Items that cause repeat toilet blockages

Wipes, even those marked flushable, do not break up like paper and tangle in pipes. Cotton buds, dental floss, nappies, sanitary products and paper towel are other common causes. Over time they collect on roots or rough joints and build into a blockage.

Keep a bin in the bathroom and tell guests and children. If a toilet blocks repeatedly with normal use, ask about a camera inspection, because a damaged or misaligned pipe can catch paper that would otherwise pass.

Why a toilet blocks again after it is cleared

A toilet that blocks repeatedly may have a partial blockage further down, a fault in the pan outlet, a low flush volume, a roof vent problem or roots in the drain. Clearing the bowl fixes the symptom, but if it comes back, the cause is still there.

Tell the plumber how often it blocks, what is in the household, and whether other fixtures gurgle or drain slowly. A camera inspection shows whether the line is damaged. If the toilet is old, a low-flow pan with a weak flush may be the cause, and replacing the pan can help.

Guides worth reading

• How to Unblock a Drain at Home Before Calling a Plumber
• Should You Repair or Replace Your Toilet?

Related plumbing services

• Emergency Plumbing: Burst pipes, flooding, gas smells and no hot water. Call any hour, any day.
• Blocked Drains: Slow sinks, gurgling pipes and smelly drains cleared and the cause found.
• Tree Root Removal from Drains: Roots clearing out of sewer and stormwater pipes, with advice on stopping them returning.
• Drain Jet Blasting: High pressure water jetting for grease, silt, scale and root build-up.
• Emergency plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

Call 0401 041 103 or send an enquiry on the contact page. We work across Geelong, Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.