Clogged Toilet Repair Services

If the toilet flush just doesn’t sound right this may be an indication of a clogged toilet. Even if water inside the toilet bowl appears clean after flushing but is settling in higher than the normal potty level, this could be the first sign of a plugged toilet.

Most clogged toilets can be unclogged without licensed plumbers so don’t panic. Simple plumbers’ tools like a plunger, auger or plumber’s snake usually clear simple clogs that originate within the toilet.

If you suspect that there could be a foreign object blocking the free flow, this blockage must first be removed. Otherwise, without removing the blockage, you are setting yourself up for huge filthy mess. A slow flush is a sign of dirty things to come and usually an item that will be lodged within the toilet is sure to make things worse over time.

If dirty effluent does not flush away and sewage is left standing in the toilet bowl, do not attempt to flush again unless the height of water in the bowl settles in at the normal height within the bowl. Otherwise you risk the chance that a flushed toilet will overflow and waste in the bowl will end up covering the floor.

Many plugged toilet problems originate on account of using too much toilet paper but a plugged toilet could be due to poorly designed inferior quality toilet. Usually a name brand will give you trouble free flushes but off-brands could be of a poor quality and design and not provide the suction to efficiently pull the waste down the drain.

The pathway that waste travels within the toilet is called the colon. The purpose of the curved colon is to maintain a seal of water so that sewer gas and vermin cannot infiltrate up from within the toilet. The colon also facilitates the suction action that actually siphons waste down to the drain. Since the 2 inch toilet colon is narrower than the 3 inch drain pipe the toilet is connected to, any effluent that can make it through the toilet colon will easily travel down the drain without any problems. That is why almost all plugged toilets originate from within the toilet itself and not the drain. But other conditions could cause a drain to backup.

If the standard flush suddenly appears to be slow but still seems to flush waste away, this is a sign that a small blockage like a child’s toy, pen or small parts could be lodged within the toilet thus partially blocking the toilet colon. If too much paper or other toilet waste is flushed away into this blockage, there is a likely chance that the toilet will become fully clogged and no more waste will be able to be flushed away if the small obstruction will not be removed first.

Use a plunger to unblock a clogged toilet. It’s not uncommon for toilets to become clogged but most times clogged toilets are preventable. However, if you already have a clogged toilet, clogged toilets can usually be remediated without calling a licensed plumber. All that is required is an inexpensive plumbing tool known as a plunger and a little bit of elbow grease.

A good quality toilet plunger can be bought at any hardware or plumbing supply. Make sure that the toilet plunger is the type with an extension flange that will create a tight seal when applying pressure inside the toilet bowl. Without the extended flange, it is nearly impossible to get a good seal to force pressurized water to unplug the clog. An extended flange type plunger can also be used in sinks and bathtubs, as long as the extended flange will be folded into the bell to create a good water seal for flat surfaces such as a plugged tub or clogged shower.

When taking your first plunge with plunger, you will be expelling air from within the plunger. Once the air will be out, the plunger will be full of water. By keeping the seal tight, without letting in any air, the up and down action of plunger will create movement of water in both directions. This movement of water should eventually free up the clogged drain but it could take as many as 15 to 20 plunges of the plunger to free up a badly clogged toilet.

Plumbing Augers and Plumber’s Snakes are a homeowner’s best friends

If the plunger will not unclog the toilet, it may be necessary to use a plumbing auger or plumber’s snake. A plumber’s auger or plumber’s snake is a narrow steel spring coil that can be forced down the colon of the toilet to remove or move the blockage by turning the auger snake in a clockwise motion. The auger acts as a flexible screw that goes deep into the toilet colon that mechanically loosens or removes the clog.

If the toilet will continue to be clogged, then it will be necessary to contact a licensed GreenCity plumber that will unseat the toilet to remove the blockage or unplug the drain that is likely clogged. Most do-it-yourself plumbers prefer to leave this type of job to a professional plumber. Contact us if you would like us to assist in unclogging a plugged toilet.

Hints for problem free toilet flushes

Generally, if you follow these rules, there should be no reason for a plugged toilet clog.

Our Gallery

Our professional Toronto plumbing team has worked with countless Toronto property managers and Toronto GTA commercial & industrial property owners.

View All